35,000 People Expected to Attend Tawur Agung Ceremony at Prambanan Temple
Semarang (ANTARA) - Some 35,000 people are expected to attend the 2026 National Tawur Agung Kesanga ceremony, which is planned to be held at Prambanan Temple, on the border between Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Klaten-Sleman), on March 18, 2026.
Chairman of the 2026 National Tawur Agung Committee, Bibit Hariadi, in Semarang on Thursday, said that the series of events would begin on March 8, 2026.
The main agenda will be held in the Wisnu Mandala courtyard, Prambanan Temple complex, on Wednesday, March 18, or one day before the Day of Silence (Nyepi) of the Saka New Year 1948, which falls on Thursday, March 19.
In addition to the ritual, the creativity of young people from Central Java will be showcased through Ogoh-Ogoh, with around six Ogoh-Ogoh planned to participate in the cultural parade in Prambanan.
“This Ogoh-Ogoh is the work of young people from Central Java. This is local creativity, as well as a tourist attraction,” he said during an audience with the Governor of Central Java.
The scale of the event makes the Tawur Agung seen as having a double effect, namely, on the one hand, as a spiritual ritual for Hindus, and on the other hand, as a tourist attraction and a showcase for Central Javanese culture.
According to him, the selection of Prambanan Temple has strategic significance in addition to its historical and spiritual value, namely, the location on the border between the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java is considered capable of expanding the economic and tourism impact.
“We want to promote Central Javanese culture. Not abandoning traditions, but rather revitalizing them,” said Bibit.
Chairman of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI) of Central Java, Tri Wahono, emphasized that the Tawur Agung in Prambanan is not intended to imitate Bali, but rather to showcase the identity of Central Java.
Gunungan, a symbol closely associated with Javanese tradition, will be presented again so that the typical Javanese value of Wilujengan will also be part of the atmosphere of the ceremony.
“We have never promoted the concept of Bali. Central Java has its own traditions. Gunungan is our cultural icon, and its blessings will be shared together,” he said.
The celebration of the Day of Silence this year carries the theme “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family” which emphasizes the values of universal brotherhood, tolerance, and shared responsibility in preserving the earth.
The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, said that he would fully support the implementation of the event.
The government’s support does not only focus on the technical aspects of the implementation, but also emphasizes four important things, namely, the sacredness of the ritual, the order of the event, the safety of the participants, and the preservation of the cultural heritage area.
He hopes that the event will strengthen the image of Central Java as an inclusive and culturally rich province.