PT TWC Supports the Implementation of Gema Santi Puja 1008 Genta, Momentum for the Revival of Prambanan Temple as a World-Class Spiritual Tourism Destination

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko (TWC) supports the implementation of Gema Santi Puja 1008 Genta on Sunday (17/9/2023). The ceremony, which was attended by 1008 Pinandita and thousands of Hindus from various regions in Indonesia, aims to perform worship as a form of devotion and respect for the ancestors who have built and maintained the existence of Prambanan Temple until now.

Gema Santi Puja 1008 Genta was held thanks to the cooperation between the Ministry of Religion through the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance, the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region X and PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko. This event encourages growth spiritual tourism in the Prambanan Temple area which is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Utilization of Prambanan Temple and Borobudur Temple for the Interests of Hindus and Buddhists in Indonesia and the World. 

President Director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko Febrina Intan, fully supports the implementation of Gema Santi Puja 1008 Genta. According to her, this procession is in accordance with the pillars of destination development and management towards quality tourism destinations in Indonesia.

"The existence of Prambanan Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, in addition to having great historical value, also has extraordinary spiritual value. Through this event, we spread the noble values ​​of Prambanan Temple and can be an inspiration to the world," he explained, Monday (18/9/2023).

The Gema Shanti Puja 1008 Genta ceremony is a religious ceremony to glorify Prambanan Temple. The main activity held in the courtyard of Prambanan Temple is one of a series of Parisudha Paripurna ceremonies that will be held in December 2023.

The procession of mendak tirta begins with a parade consisting of the pinandhita and the congregation carrying offerings in the form of flowers, incense, tumpeng, and dewata nawa sanga, accompanied by a number of dancers and traditional baleganjur arts, towards the courtyard of Prambanan Temple. After the procession of mendak tirta, the core ceremony of santi puja begins. The ceremony is led by a Sulinggih from start to finish. 

The ceremony begins with ngargo tirta, and is continued with the caru ceremony, cleansing, ngelinggihan Ida Bhatara, and presenting offerings accompanied by the Bedaya Maha Puja dance. After the ceremony is finished, it is continued with a special puja chanted by the pinandita in the form of a prayer for the safety of the nation.

After the main ceremony is finished, the Gema Santi Puja 1008 Genta ceremony is continued with the procession Purwa Dhaksina, where the pilgrims walk around Prambanan Temple (clockwise) while continuing to ring the bell and recite mantras. Om Name Shivaya a total of 1008 times. After the murwa daksina is finished, all the pinandita return to the ceremony site to perform the simakrama ritual.

PT TWC is committed to presenting a quality destination with excellent service to welcome the arrival of thousands of Hindus at Prambanan Temple. Although it does not close services for regular tourist visits, the Prambanan Temple Tourism Park management has prepared optimal supporting facilities and infrastructure.

PT TWC has scheduled a spiritual tourism program that includes activities at special times, such as the full moon tilem prayer, Hindu religious holidays such as Galungan, Kuningan, Pagerwesi, Saraswati. This program is presented to echo sacred and profane values, which can be a source of noble values ​​for strengthening the quality of life of the nation and state.

"Prambanan Temple is an Indonesian asset and culture owned by the state to provide the greatest possible benefits to the community, especially in realizing quality and sustainable tourism in Indonesia," he concluded.