TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of Hindus in Banyumas, Central Java, was holding Melasti ceremony in Selok Beach, Cilacap on Friday. The ritual is a process of purify themselves from sins and bad habits to welcome the Nyepi (Day of Silence).
"The ceremony is aimed to wipe clean all of their bad characteristics," said the local Hindu youth figure, Minoto Dharmo, on Friday, March 28.
According to Mintono, the word Melasti came from the Indian word 'Male' which means 'dirt', and 'Letah' which means 'human'. The greed and arrogance which only bring disadvantages to people need to be purified during Melasti ceremony.
The ritual, Mintono continued, consist of series of activities, starting with the Hindu priests (pandhita, pinandhita) who recite holy Hindu verses and followed by the Hindu people who are attending the ceremony. The ritual was then continued with drifting some offerings in the form of crops onto the sea.
"The offering is our sacrifice for God and to show our gratefulness to the universe, and give back the gift of the universe which consists of three elements namely earth, water, and sun light," Mintono said.
Prior to commencing the ritual, Hindu people in Klinting Village cleaned up their village and temples together.
ARIS ANDRIANTO