Nimmala temple to see gigantic statue, boat on fire
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
The Nimmala temple, the largest and oldest Chinese temple in Tangerang, will hold a ceremony on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. in which a gigantic statue of Bun Tai Su (a demonic god) and a dragon boat will be set on fire as part of ritual offerings to restless and ill-fated spirits of the dead.
"This is an annual religious tradition within the Chinese community, which is held on the 15th day of every seventh month in the Chinese lunar year," spokesman of the Nimmala temple, Andrianto DS said on Saturday.
In the ceremony, the four-meter-high dummy of Bun Tai Su, made of paper with a wooden skeleton, will be set alight. Bun Tai Su is known as a disguised form of the god of mercy, Kwan Im, who takes control of the restless spirits so that they do not disturb people on earth.
Apart from the burning of Bun Tai Su, a 13-meter-long boat adorned with a dragon figurehead will be set ablaze with golden and silver paper to symbolize money.
"The fire will be enormous. That's why we have prepared a fire truck just in case the fire gets out of hand," Andrianto said jokingly.
The burning ceremony is also intended for the members of the congregation to give alms to the poor and beggars.
"During the ceremony, onlookers can also compete to grab the offerings, usually food, placed on the altar. The more you get the more wealth you will earn in the coming years," Andrianto said citing a common myth among the Chinese people.
Aside from the ceremony, the temple management will also distribute around 70 tons of rice, boxes of instant noodles, sugar and cooking oil for the poor between Sept. 13 and Sept. 26.
Fifty physicians will also open a clinic to provide free treatment for the public during the same period. Several pharmaceutical companies nearby are also contributing medicine for the program.
The event has been an annual program of the 365-year old temple that became open to the public in 1999 after president Abdurrahman Wahid revoked the ban on the public observance of Chinese festivals in the country.