Mt. Agung closed to climbers

Mt. Agung closed to climbers

DENPASAR, Bali: The famous Mt. Agung has been closed to
climbers for Feb. 14 - April 26 in connection with a series of
sacred traditional rites called Karya Agung Eka Bhuana which are
being held in the Pura (temple) Besakih.

Chairman of the committee for the rites Ida Bagus Gede Agastia
told Antara yesterday the temporary closure was to protect the
sanctity of the surrounding areas of the temple in the Karangasem
regency, some 85 km east of Denpasar.

Water from the springs in the mountain has been blessed and
used as holy water in the ceremonies which are held every 100
years, the agency reported.

President Soeharto is expected to attend the main ceremony of
the rites on March 20.

The tradition is part of the Hinduism, which celebrates, among
other things, the harmonious relations that human beings enjoy
with their Creator and the earth. (swe)