TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Hindu community in Manado, North Sulawesi, celebrated the Hindu New Year 1940 by holding the ogoh-ogoh (statue) parade ahead of Nyepi Day on Friday, March 16.
“A day before Nyepi we will conduct a religious ritual located at the Sparta Tikala Field starting from morning until afternoon, followed by the Ogoh-ogoh parade,” Manado Hindu Dharma Parisada head said in Manado, Thursday, March 15.
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The Ogoh-ogoh parade started from the Sparta Tikala Field along Jalan Raya Sudirman until the Sentrum intersection and TKB, and then back to the field.
The ritual and Ogoh-ogoh parade were held to repel bad influences. During the parade, a giant statue called Buta Kala, a form of evil will be carried along the road.
“Then Buta Kala statue will be burned as a symbol of keeping the creature away during the preparation to welcome the Silence day,” said Ketut Alit.
The Hindu community in Manado has held religious rituals since Wednesday, March 14.
"Three days before Nyepi, more than 1,000 Hindu followers have practiced the Melasti ritual at Taman Berkat," he said.
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At the peak the Nyepi celebration, all Hindu followers will fulfil four rules known as the Catur Brata Penyepian, namely amati geni (no fire or light), amati lelanguan (fasting), amati lelungan (no traveling), and amati karya (no working).
"A day after Nyepi, people will perform Dharma Santi (peace in body, speech, and mind)," said Ketut Alit.
ANTARA