Thousands climb Mt. Bromo

PROBOLINGGO, East Java: Thousands of local people and foreign tourists climbed Mount Bromo to witness the local Tengger community's Hindu thanksgiving ceremony, which is annually conducted at the mountain's summit.

Soedjai, an influential figure in the Tengger tribe, said on Thursday that most visitors came from towns in the province and that only dozens of foreign tourists came to watch the annual Hindu ceremony.

"This year, less foreign visitors were expected to witness the annual religious event possibly due to the negative impact of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States," he said.

Soejai said the Tengger community conducted on Monday what local people called Mendak Tirta, a preliminary procession in observance of the Yadnya Kasada (thanksgiving) ceremony.

"Tengger people have also prepared food, drinks and fruit and placed them on the mountain's crater as their sacrifice to God", he said. --Antara