50,000 Hindus to attend rite

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.