Gerebeg or gerbeg means "sound of wind ". It is one of the traditions of the palace Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat that is for the first time held by Sultan Hamengku Buwana I. It involves the whole royal families, all royal officers and the whole people. Formally, garebeg is religious that it is related with the birthday of prophet Muhammad SAW and also the two of Islam holidays (Idul Fitri and Idhul Adha).

Politically, Garebeg also explains about the title of Sultan that is Islamic (Ngabdurrahman Sayidin Panotogomo Kalifatullah). It is held three times in a year which are Garebeg Mulud, Garebeg Besar, and Garebeg Sawal which is held in the area of the palace and nearby, like the north square.

Garebeg Besar or the great garebeg is held in the palace of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat to celebrate Idhul Adha, the second moslem holiday that occurs on the month of Zulhijah. In Java calendar, Zulhijah is called as the great month that Garebeg held to celebrate Idhul Adha is called Garebeg Besar.

Besides to celebrate Idhul Adha, the celebration of Garebeg Besar is also to celebrate the moslem who has just finishing their duty, haji in the holy land. For ordinary people, Garebeg Besar is laso called as lebaran kaji (haji).

Long time ago, Garebeg Besar is also accompanied by garebeg in Sitihinggil with holding a kind of thank giving in the great mosque that perfomed gunungan etc. According to the tradition applied, in Garebeg Besar, Sultan does not visit the great mosque, however giving some sacrifice animals as other mid-wealthy people do.