Chinese New Year in Depok: The Bathing Tradition at the Seven Wells of Gayatri Temple
The scent of incense could already be detected before one even set foot in the temple grounds. From the car park, thin wisps of smoke rose gently, carrying a distinctively calming fragrance. On Tuesday morning, 17 February 2026, thousands of Chinese-Indonesian residents packed Gayatri Temple in the Sumur 7 area of Cilangkap, Tapos, Depok, to celebrate Chinese New Year with prayers and fresh hopes.
In the front courtyard, congregants stood in rows clutching lit incense sticks. They moved slowly from one altar to the next. Some prayed with eyes closed for extended periods, whilst others bowed briefly before moving on. The stillness felt strikingly at odds with the sheer number of visitors.
Giant red candles burned in many corners. Their small flickering flames cast a warm glow on the faces of the devout. In the inner hall, the sound of footsteps, whispered prayers, and the gentle clinking of ritual implements blended into a sacred rhythm of celebration.
Deeper into the temple complex, the crowds shifted towards the site's most distinctive feature: seven wells from which the location takes its name. There, several worshippers could be seen dousing themselves with ladles, washing their heads, hands, and faces. The well water is believed to carry different meanings and properties — from spiritual enlightenment, health, fortune, and finding a partner, to protection from harm. Some performed the ritual solemnly, whilst others did so with smiles, as though carrying out a family tradition long familiar to them.
Not far away, children darted between the crowds. They were waiting for a moment no less important than the prayers: angpao — red envelopes containing money. Their laughter burst forth each time they spotted adult worshippers emerging from the prayer hall carrying red envelopes.
Mariana, 27, came with her family. She had celebrated Chinese New Year at this venue three times already. For her, visiting the temple was not merely an annual ritual but a space for nurturing hope. Besides praying, she and her family always made a point of bathing at the wells.
Her hopes were simple — that her family remain healthy, gather together often, and that the new year bring prosperity. "Not just meeting once a year," she said.
Temple administrator Parman noted that the pattern of celebration had not changed much from year to year: worship, communal prayers, and the lighting of candles as symbols to illuminate the path ahead. Yet the number of visitors seemed to keep growing. Many came not only from Depok but also from various parts of Greater Jakarta and beyond.
The peak of worship took place the previous evening, when congregants lit large candles measured in units of kati. They varied in size — from those that could be held in one hand to those as tall as an adult. The burning candles were believed to signify the hope that the coming year would be brighter than the last.
The celebrations took place under the watch of a joint security operation. Hundreds of personnel stood guard at various points around places of worship. Their presence was barely felt as an intrusion on the rituals — more like a silent perimeter ensuring everyone could pray in peace.
At the same location, Depok Metro Police Chief Grand Commissioner Abdul Waras said his officers, together with Military District Command 0508/Depok, had carried out security operations during the 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations.
"Thank God, so far based on our monitoring of several temples we have checked, both in terms of security which has been well executed and in terms of the celebrations, our fellow citizens observing Chinese New Year worship have proceeded smoothly in line with the hopes of all the public," said Abdul Waras.
Abdul Waras expressed gratitude that the Chinese New Year celebrations had gone according to expectations, describing it as a manifestation of tolerance and the state's role in protecting all its citizens' right to worship according to their respective religions and beliefs. "And we hope that this tolerance also grows and develops across all layers of society," the Police Chief said.
In the front courtyard, congregants stood in rows clutching lit incense sticks. They moved slowly from one altar to the next. Some prayed with eyes closed for extended periods, whilst others bowed briefly before moving on. The stillness felt strikingly at odds with the sheer number of visitors.
Giant red candles burned in many corners. Their small flickering flames cast a warm glow on the faces of the devout. In the inner hall, the sound of footsteps, whispered prayers, and the gentle clinking of ritual implements blended into a sacred rhythm of celebration.
Deeper into the temple complex, the crowds shifted towards the site's most distinctive feature: seven wells from which the location takes its name. There, several worshippers could be seen dousing themselves with ladles, washing their heads, hands, and faces. The well water is believed to carry different meanings and properties — from spiritual enlightenment, health, fortune, and finding a partner, to protection from harm. Some performed the ritual solemnly, whilst others did so with smiles, as though carrying out a family tradition long familiar to them.
Not far away, children darted between the crowds. They were waiting for a moment no less important than the prayers: angpao — red envelopes containing money. Their laughter burst forth each time they spotted adult worshippers emerging from the prayer hall carrying red envelopes.
Mariana, 27, came with her family. She had celebrated Chinese New Year at this venue three times already. For her, visiting the temple was not merely an annual ritual but a space for nurturing hope. Besides praying, she and her family always made a point of bathing at the wells.
Her hopes were simple — that her family remain healthy, gather together often, and that the new year bring prosperity. "Not just meeting once a year," she said.
Temple administrator Parman noted that the pattern of celebration had not changed much from year to year: worship, communal prayers, and the lighting of candles as symbols to illuminate the path ahead. Yet the number of visitors seemed to keep growing. Many came not only from Depok but also from various parts of Greater Jakarta and beyond.
The peak of worship took place the previous evening, when congregants lit large candles measured in units of kati. They varied in size — from those that could be held in one hand to those as tall as an adult. The burning candles were believed to signify the hope that the coming year would be brighter than the last.
The celebrations took place under the watch of a joint security operation. Hundreds of personnel stood guard at various points around places of worship. Their presence was barely felt as an intrusion on the rituals — more like a silent perimeter ensuring everyone could pray in peace.
At the same location, Depok Metro Police Chief Grand Commissioner Abdul Waras said his officers, together with Military District Command 0508/Depok, had carried out security operations during the 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations.
"Thank God, so far based on our monitoring of several temples we have checked, both in terms of security which has been well executed and in terms of the celebrations, our fellow citizens observing Chinese New Year worship have proceeded smoothly in line with the hopes of all the public," said Abdul Waras.
Abdul Waras expressed gratitude that the Chinese New Year celebrations had gone according to expectations, describing it as a manifestation of tolerance and the state's role in protecting all its citizens' right to worship according to their respective religions and beliefs. "And we hope that this tolerance also grows and develops across all layers of society," the Police Chief said.