Crowds flock to Prophet's birthday

Crowds flock to Prophet's birthday

YOGYAKARTA: The traditional ritual commemorating the birth of
the Prophet Muhammad was a main attraction in this tourist city
over the weekend.

Called "Grebeg Maulud" and held by the palace, mounds of
agricultural products were carried along the city streets past
crowds of onlookers.

The procession was accompanied by a salvo of gunshots from
palace guards in traditional costume.

The target of the scrambling residents was two mounds of rice
and side dishes called gunungan, which was guarded by guards on
four elephants.

The local belief is that those who gain part of the gunungan
will be blessed in their lives. (anr)