The Light of 1.008 Dipas at Shiva Grha, The Spiritual Awakening of Prambanan Temple through Mahashivaratri

The Mahashivaratri celebration as the final series of the Prambanan Shiva Festival, held for the first time in Indonesia, is a new milestone in the effort to make this historic site a living monument, a cultural heritage that continues to live and is preserved from generation to generation. 

The series of events began with a five-kilometer cultural procession from Kedulan Temple to Prambanan Temple, featuring a procession carrying sacred objects and holy water from 36 provinces, as well as the unfurling of a 1.000-meter-long Indonesian flag. The procession continued to Maha Gangga Tirta Gamana, where water from 36 provinces and nine Indonesian temples was purified by 35 Sulinggih (leaders) as a symbol of self-purification and universal harmony.

The atmosphere became even more magical when 1.008 dipas, or lamps, were lit simultaneously in the temple courtyard, accompanied by the sound of damaru (a traditional Chinese instrument), and a video mapping of Prambanan Temple, creating a captivating visual experience. The ritual then entered its core of purification through the Abhisekam ceremony, which lasted several stages until dawn, creating an atmosphere of deep meditation for world peace.

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony between preserving spiritual values ​​and strengthening the tourism sector. She explained that this festival is concrete evidence that world heritage sites can serve both as solemn spaces of worship and as world-class cultural destinations. 

"The Prambanan Shiva Festival is proof that we want this temple to not only stand strong as a monument to the past, but to truly live on as a sacred cultural heritage. From a tourism perspective, this event is expected to boost tourist visits, both domestic and international," he explained.

Febrina Intan, Director of InJourney Destination Management, added that this event is a harmony of spiritual space and rich cultural arts. It's a space that brings together inclusivity and sacredness, and modernity blending with tradition.

"We hope the majesty of Prambanan will be presented in an inclusive manner, as an open space for everyone to admire, appreciate, and be inspired by the grandeur of this sacred site. We want to demonstrate that spirituality doesn't have to divide, but rather unite," he explained. 

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty praised the Mahashivaratri celebrations at Prambanan Temple. He described Prambanan as the finest Shiva temple he had ever seen in the world and said it has great potential for attracting tourists from India.

"We will encourage Indian tourists, who are a large number in Bali, to also visit Yogyakarta, including experiencing its rich cultural heritage, such as Prambanan Temple," he explained. 

PHDI Central Chairman Wisnu Bawa Tenaya emphasized that Mahashivaratri is a momentum to build a holistic Indonesian people, physically, spiritually, and socially. The unfurling of the nearly 1,000-meter-long Red and White flag during the Mahashivaratri cultural parade serves as a powerful symbol of unity and national spirit, imbued with spirituality. 

"Through collaboration across ministries and institutions, this festival is established as a new milestone in cultural heritage management that unites spirituality, culture, and tourism in one breath of nationalism," he explained.

Echa, one of the Mahashivaratri visitors, expressed her gratitude for being able to participate in the lighting of the 1008 Dipas in the courtyard of Prambanan Temple. Furthermore, the ceremony is open to anyone from any religious background, allowing for a sense of harmony in diversity. 

"Love and prayer are truly for everyone; they're universal. So, I'm grateful to be here, to feel the energy, to share it, in this moment. I'm grateful, and we're even thankful for the opportunity to attend an event like this," explained the visitor from Jakarta.

Mahashivaratri is organized collaboratively by various parties, including the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, the Indonesian Ministry of Religion through the Director General of Hindu Community Guidance, and the Prambanan Temple Utilization Team, the Ministry of Culture, Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI), InJourney Destination Management and supported by Pertamina Patra Niaga.