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)