Actualization of the Values ​​of the Catur Brata Penyepian of the Saka New Year 1946 in the Prambanan Temple Area

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko together with the Cultural Preservation Center Region X, and Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia held a press conference regarding the Tawur Agung Kesanga activities and the closing of Prambanan Temple during the Nyepi Holy Day at Rama Shinta Garden Resto, Prambanan, Yogyakarta, Tuesday (5/3/2024).

Prambanan Temple as a World Cultural Heritage is the main location for a series of events to welcome the Holy Day of Nyepi, Saka New Year 1946. The implementation of the activities that took place solemnly and were full of arts and cultural activities was not only closed to Hindus, but was also open to all parties who wanted to witness the spiritual tradition and spread universal values.

The celebration of the Great Tawur Kesanga 1946 Saka is a collaborative program between the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Hindu Community Guidance (Bimas) of the Indonesian Ministry of Religion with the Prambanan Temple Utilization Working Team, the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region X, the Hindu Bimas of the Ministry of Religion's Central Java and DI Yogyakarta Regional Offices, PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko, and the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) Central Java.

This event presented a number of speakers, including the President Director of PT TWC Febrina Intan, Chairman of PHDI Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, Chairman of the Prambanan Temple Unit of BPK Region X, Chairman of the Nyepi Series Committee Suyamto and GM of Prambanan & Keraton Ratu Boko I Gusti Putu Ngurah Sedana.

The procession of the Holy Day of Nyepi, Saka New Year 1946 began with the celebration of Tawur Agung Kesanga which took place in the Wisnu field, Prambanan Temple Tourism Park complex. The series of ceremonies followed by people in traditional clothes raised the theme "Sat Cit Anada for Indonesia Jaya" which means realizing the basic policy values ​​of the Dharma Agama and Dharma Negara as a philosophy in making real efforts not only at the conceptual level but we can apply them for the welfare of all mankind.

The Tawung Agung Kesanga series begins with the mendhak tirta procession and continues with circling the Prambanan Temple courtyard or pradaksina. This procession is also enlivened by a procession of three main gunungan accompanied by a Bleganjur music parade in the Prambanan Temple area. Tawur Agung Kesanga is closed with a joint prayer that aims to cleanse and graduate the earth before entering the Holy Day of Nyepi.

The Head of the Regional Nyepi Series Committee, Suyamto, welcomed the collaboration of various parties to participate in supporting the series of activities for the Holy Day of Nyepi 1946 Saka, including the Tawur Agung Kesanga procession entitled "Upacara Wishuda Bumi". This ceremony has a deep meaning and involves a series of religious activities aimed at cleansing oneself from negative influences and preparing oneself to face the new year.

"The Tawur Agung ceremony is carried out as a process of human purification so that humans can live in harmony with the universe and preserve harmony with nature. This ceremony also involves various levels of society who unite in prayer and sacrifice, creating an atmosphere of togetherness that reminds us of the importance of living in harmony," he explained.

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko as the manager of Taman Wisata Candi (TWC) Prambanan prepares excellent service to support the implementation of this national agenda well. This is part of PT TWC's commitment to present an inclusive and comfortable destination for the spiritual tourism agenda in Indonesia.

PT TWC also presents the Immersive Tawur Agung Package 2024 for the general public who want to follow the series of Tawur Agung processions at Prambanan Temple. Participants will be invited to take part in the Tawur Agung series, such as seeing the dance drama and Mencaru ceremony more closely. Participants will also witness the Samudra Mantana dance, self-cleansing reflection guided by Pinandita, a procession and continued with the grebeg gunungan.

Participants who want to join the Immersive Tawur Agung Package 2024 are charged Rp250.000 (domestic) and Rp500.000 (foreign tourists). For the general public who want to become participants, they can make a reservation directly through 081804044529.

"The Tawur Agung celebration can be a special treat that can be followed by various parties and can feel an authentic and memorable experience. This lively celebration on the day before Nyepi can be a charming treat for heritage lovers," said GM of Prambanan & Keraton Ratu Boko I Gusti Putu Ngurah Sedana.

PT TWC through the “Prambanan in Silence” program closed the operational activities of the Prambanan Temple Tourism Park destination during the Nyepi Day 1946. This operational closure was carried out on March 11, 2024 starting at 05.00 WIB to 24.00 WIB.

This closure is also accompanied by a power outage in the Prambanan TWC area on March 11, 2024 at 06.00 WIB to 06.00 WIB on March 12, 2024. In addition, during the closure of this destination, the Prambanan Temple area is guarded by brigades and horse patrols in collaboration with the DI Yogyakarta Regional Police.

Prambanan in Silence presents a silent atmosphere in the World Heritage area. This is in accordance with the rules of Catur (Brata) Penyepian, namely amati karya (not working), amati lelungan (not traveling), amati geni (not lighting fires), and amati lelanguan (not having fun).

This program is a form of respect and instills a sense of togetherness and deep attachment to Hindus throughout Indonesia who are carrying out the Catur Brata Penyepian.

"Don't let these religious celebrations become just a party, sorry, which provides financial benefits but does not give any meaning to the Hindu community or the Indonesian community in general. Money can be sought, the spirit of tolerance must be strengthened," said the President Director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur (TWC), Febrina Intan.

In addition, Febrina said that the Nyepi momentum is also a special time for Prambanan Temple to breathe from tourist visit activities. She said, it is necessary to manage Prambanan Temple which is one of the holy places of Hindus so that in management it does not always prioritize profit alone even though TWC is required to find rupiah.

He emphasized that he would prioritize tolerance between religious communities, including on Nyepi Day. That way, Hindus can be sure to be solemn in carrying out their worship, especially since there are quite a lot of Hindus in the area around Prambanan Temple.

"So far, the Nyepi celebration has provided us with many transactional benefits, but for us the most important thing is the value of tolerance. That is much more valuable than the transactional value. We want to highlight the Silent Prambanan in the Nyepi celebration. Prambanan, which is usually full of tourists, that day Prambanan could breathe, showing its majesty," he concluded.