50,000 Hindus to attend rite

SEMARANG, Central Java: About 50,000 Hindus in Central Java are expected to attend the Tawur Agung Sasih Kesanga ceremony, which will be held on Saturday at Prambanan Temple just outside Yogyakarta.

The ceremony is part of celebrations to mark the annual Hindu day of silence, which falls on Sunday this year.

The purpose of the ritual is to cleanse the universe of unfavorable elements so that a spiritual balance with nature can be achieved.

As a prelude to the ceremony, holy water will be taken from springs on Mt. Lawu, Mt. Merapi, Mt. Ungaran, Mt. Merbabu, Mt. Sundoro, Mt. Sumbing and Mt. Slamet on Thursday.

The water will be used as an offering during Saturday's ritual.