Ahead of Nyepi, Hindus in Bengkulu Pray for Indonesia to Be Spared from Disasters
The Hindu community in Bengkulu City has prayed for Indonesia to be spared from various disasters ahead of the Nyepi holiday for the Saka New Year 1948 tomorrow.
This was stated after hundreds of Hindus in Bengkulu City carried out a series of ceremonies, one of which was the tawur kesanga at Pura Jagatnatha Santhi Muara Dipa.
“After carrying out the ceremony, we prayed for health and prosperity to be granted, and we asked for the Indonesian nation to be kept away from various disasters,” said the Chairman of the Parisada Hindu Dharma of Bengkulu Province, I Wayan Dharmayana, in Bengkulu City on Wednesday.
He mentioned that the tawur kesanga ceremony is part of the Bhuta Yadnya ritual carried out one day before Nyepi Day.
The ritual is intended to neutralise and purify negative energies, both in the universe and within humans.
After the tawur kesanga, the Hindu community in Bengkulu City also carried out the pengerupukan ceremony, marked by the Ogoh-ogoh Parade accompanied by torches and gamelan, symbolising efforts to neutralise negative forces.
Next, they will carry out catur brata penyepian, the four main abstinences during the Nyepi holiday celebration, which lasts for 24 hours, marked by fasting starting on 19 March at 06.00 WIB until 20 March at 06.00 WIB.
“After the Nyepi series is completed, Hindus will carry out Simakrama, the tradition of visiting and maintaining relations among fellow congregants,” said Wayan.
Previously, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bengkulu Province, Saefudin, urged all communities in the region to be tolerant, respectful, and honour interfaith relations.
“We urge all communities in Bengkulu Province to respect each other if the implementation of Idul Fitri and Nyepi celebrations overlap or coincide,” he said.
He noted that the Nyepi celebration and Idul Fitri 1447 Hijriah overlap, and his office will not impose restrictions on activities or night takbiran events, etc.
This is based on discussions conducted by the Bengkulu Provincial Ministry of Religious Affairs Regional Office, the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Chairman of the Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), Hindu community leaders regarding the celebration of two major religious holidays in Indonesia.
“We also invited village heads in Ramah Agung Village and Air Petai Village in North Bengkulu Regency, which are the bases of the Hindu community in Bengkulu Province, as well as the Hindu Religious Council to discuss how the simultaneous Idul Fitri and Nyepi celebrations will proceed. The principle is mutual tolerance and respect,” he stated.
Saefudin emphasised that the implementation of Idul Fitri Day is still awaiting the results of the Isbat Session to be held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia on 19 March 2026.
“And interfaith leaders have agreed on this, and Bengkulu Province has zero conflict cases, with mutual respect and harmonisation. I would also like to convey that the statement from the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia some time ago limiting takbiran activities from 18.00 to 21.00 WITA applies specifically to Bali Province, and outside Bali, it is not implemented or proceeds normally as usual,” said Saefudin.