Prambanan Shiva Festival: The Month of Shiva for Spirituality, Peace, and Harmony Building Peace and Harmony from the Center of Indonesian Civilization for the World

Prambanan Temple has once again become the center of attention, both from a spiritual, educational, tourism, environmental, social and cultural perspective, through the launch of the Prambanan Shiva Festival: The Month of Shiva for Spirituality, Peace, and Harmony This sacred area, a 9th-century relic, is once again throbbing as a living space for Hindu spirituality, spreading a message of universal peace and harmony.

The launch of the Prambanan Shiva Festival marks the beginning of a month-long series of spiritual activities in the Prambanan area. These include mass yoga, meditation, cultural seminars, spiritual arts performances, and the culminating Mahashivaratri Celebration, which invites devotees and the wider community to reflect on the sacred value of Lord Shiva as the source of the highest energy of consciousness.

The Head of the Prambanan Working Team, I Nyoman Ariawan, explained that the Prambanan Shiva Festival is a manifestation of spiritual awakening amidst the increasingly fast-paced and materialistic modern life.

"We want to revive Prambanan as a spiritual space that unites people with spiritual awareness. This festival is a sacred offering to Shiva, a symbol of consciousness and balance, and a call to spread peaceful vibrations throughout the universe," said Ariawan.

Ariawan also added that the series of activities of the Prambanan Shiva Festival include Shivaratri, Shiva Temple Run, Spiritual Tour, Spiritual Painting Exhibition, Nusantara Cultural Parade, and the peak, Mahasivaratri Night, a holy night of worship to Lord Shiva with japa, dhyana, and puja together in the temple courtyard.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI), I Ketut Budiasa, emphasized the universal meaning of the Shiva teachings that form the basis of this festival.

"The values ​​of Shiva teach a balance between creativity, feeling, and will. Through this festival, we celebrate the awareness that unites humanity, nature, and God in harmony. This is the essence of Hindu spirituality, relevant to world peace," he said.

From a religious perspective, the Director of Religious Affairs of the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, I Gusti Made Sunartha, assessed that this activity was in line with the spirit of religious moderation.

"The Prambanan Shiva Festival is a concrete example of religious moderation. It combines religious, cultural, and educational values ​​within a peaceful dialogue. This is our way of demonstrating that Hindu spirituality plays a vital role in building social harmony," explained Duija.

Ni Komang Ayu Astiti, Assistant Deputy for National Events at the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, also emphasized that the Prambanan Shiva Festival is a national and international tourist attraction. "This event can be a tourist attraction to increase the movement of domestic and international tourists, especially cultural tourism," she explained.

Meanwhile, Gistang Richard Panutur, Commercial Director of InJourney Destination Management, hopes the Prambanan Shiva Festival will showcase Prambanan Temple as a spiritually-based economic hub, where sacred rituals and tourism activities go hand in hand. Meanwhile, Hindus are ready to make Prambanan a gateway to economic revival based on spiritual and cultural values.

"We must work together to ensure that tourism with character, through the Prambanan Shiva Festival, is not only focused on spiritual development but also includes active engagement with the local environment and culture. We are committed to creating tourism that provides meaningful experiences for tourists and sustainable benefits for the community and the environment," he explained.

Under the theme "The Month of Shiva for Spirituality, Peace, and Harmony," this festival invites the public to rediscover the noble values ​​of Shiva: awareness, self-control, and union with the universe. Beginning with Saka Yoga, Prambanan is revived as a timeless symbol of eternal peace.