Vibrant Lunar New Year Celebrations at Boen Tek Bio Temple in Tangerang

Celebrations for Lunar New Year 2577 Kongzili, or the Year of the Fire Horse 2026, took place in a lively atmosphere at Boen Tek Bio Temple in Tangerang, Banten, on Monday (17 February).

Hundreds of worshippers and residents packed the Pasar Lama area from morning until midday to pray and witness the series of Lunar New Year festivities.

The area surrounding Boen Tek Bio Temple, located in the Pasar Lama district on Jalan Kali Pasir, Sukasari Subdistrict, Tangerang, Banten, was bustling with activity from the early hours. A steady stream of worshippers arriving in succession filled Jalan Kali Pasir with people eager to pray or directly witness the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Beyond those who came to worship, hundreds of residents also crowded the area around the temple to receive angpao (red envelopes) from worshippers praying at the site. An atmosphere of warmth and togetherness marked this year’s Lunar New Year celebration.

Soey Hoeng, the public relations officer and historian of the Boen Tek Bio Temple Association, known familiarly as Mpe Hong or Aryaguna, said that various preparations had been made to ensure worshippers could pray comfortably and with devotion. He noted that public enthusiasm had been evident since the previous evening.

“Worship preparations have been completed, including preparing the bio or topekong paper. Preparations were made early so that worshippers here feel comfortable and can pray with devotion,” he said.

“Since yesterday the atmosphere has been festive — people are joyfully celebrating Imlek and hoping for happiness and blessings,” said Mpe Hong.

He expressed hope that the number of worshippers would continue to grow in the future, in line with increasing faith and trust among the community to worship at Boen Tek Bio Temple.

The Lunar New Year 2577 Kongzili celebration at Boen Tek Bio Temple also served as a symbol of tolerance and communal unity among the people of Tangerang, a tradition that has been preserved from generation to generation.