The History of Bedug Purworejo

    The history of the development of Islam in Purworejo cannot be separated with the bedug Kyai Bagelen. Bedug the largest in the world. Seen from the history of the bedug has been used to broadcasting religion Islam since the 19th century. 

     Bedug is located in the Kauman Mosque, in the west of the town square Purworejo. Bedug it was almost two centuries of the government of the Regent of Purworejo first, Raden Cokronegoro 1.

     The history of making Bedug Kyai Bagelen can be connected with a history of the establishment of the mosque great above ground wakaf area of approximately 70 x 80 m2 size 21 x 22 m2 plus gandok size x 21 m2. ± 10. According to historical records, so finished War Diponegoro ( 1825-1830 ), the Dutch East Indies raised the leader of the natives to rule the Land Bagelen ( Purworejo now ). So regent at that time is Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung Cokronegoro 1. On the Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung Cokronegoro 1, the mosque began construction. 

     Sister Regent of, Mas Tumenggung Prawironegoro Wedana Bragolan suggested that the bedug made from the base of the tree Jati. The teak tree was taken from Dusun Pendowo, District Purwodadi, District Purworejo. Making Bedug known as Bedug Kyai Bagelen ( Bedug Pendhawa ) is expected to be done in the west 1762 or years 1834 masehi along with the establishment of the building Masjid Agung completion. When bedug finished made, to removal bedug of Dusun Pendowo ( Jenar ) to the city of Purworejo a distance of about 9 KM with the condition of the very difficult to travel. Regent Cokronegoro I over the proposal his sister Raden Tumenggung Prawironegoro, Raden Kyai Haji Muhammad Irsyad who served as Kaum ( Lebai/Naib ) in the village Solotiyang, District Loano to lead the project to removal Bedug Kyai Bagelen.

     Moving is carried out by workers who picked him up for a rollicking accompaniment of the sound of a gamelan complete with dancers of tayub were waiting on every post stop. Finally after going through a long journey and tiring, Drum Kyai Bagelen arrive at Masjid Agung Purworejo Regency. The drum that originally covered the material from the skin of the bull. However, after 102 years later (May 3, 1936) the skin of the drum part of the rear damage so it is replaced with cow leather ongale (bengal) and cow pemacek derived from the Village of Winong, Subdistrict of Kemiri Purworejo Regency. 

     There are also in pairs of a large gong which serves to increase the vibration and sound (anggreng). If You want to hear his voice, come at the time of 'Asr, Maghrib, Isha, Fajr and ahead of Friday prayers. In addition, at any time before the prayer Circumcision Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, event-event or event-religious event of Islam and commemorate the seconds Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, Drum Kyai Bagelen always sounded to give the sign and respect.