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)