Nyepi Day, Bandung City Hindus solemnly carry out Worship

Nyepi Day and Saka New Year 1444 in Bandung City took place safely and conductively. A number of people in Bandung who embrace Hinduism appear to be worshiping in a series of Nyepi Day solemnly.

Previously, on Tuesday 2 March, Vira Chandra Dharma Temple at Secapa AD Hegarmanah Bandung City held a Pengrupukan ceremony.

This ceremony is known as a ceremony to expel the Bhuta Kala from the yard and the surrounding environment.

At Vira Chandra Dharma Temple, this ceremony is held from 17.30 to 19.30 WIB. There were around 50 Hindus who attended the ceremony by implementing strict health protocols.

Mangku Gede at Vira Chandra Dharma Temple, Agung Djanardhana explained, when referring to the sacred Hindu Vedic mantras, the essence of Pengrupukan is the beginning of life which is called nothing, only darkness.

"The unique process on Nyepi day begins with darkness. This is what Hindus implement by doing chess brata sepian," he said.

Furthermore, Agung explained that while in solitude, Hindus do a moment of introspection by not involving outside physical interaction with themselves. Self-introspection to grow to be even better in the future.

"Calm down, one day a year. It means we don't travel and we precipitate the euphoria of happiness in one day," he said.

He also said that the Nyepi and Saka New Year celebrations in the city of Bandung always run conducive from year to year.

Although it cannot be equated with the Nyepi celebration in Bali, Agung said that Hindus in Bandung celebrate Nyepi and the Saka New Year with axiology that is adapted to space, time, and conditions.

"Not only because of Covid-19, but because conditions in Bandung and Bali are different, so we usually carry out by adjusting to space, time and conditions," explained Agung.

According to him, Nyepi Day and Saka New Year 1444 which will take place in 2022 AD have an essence that is in line with current world conditions.

"The essence of Nyepi Day is to neutralize negative energy, and this is very relevant to current conditions," he said.

One of the prayers conveyed is that all negative things can be lost. This is related to the condition of the Covid-19 pandemic which is classified as negative energy in the form of a disease outbreak.

"In the understanding of Balinese Hinduism (which is associated with pandemic conditions), after neutralizing negative energy, we can immediately enter the new normal phase," he said.

In closing, Agung advised, especially in ending the Covid-19 pandemic, to take care of each other which is carried outside by side by asking for prayers. One of the actions to take care of each other is by implementing health protocols in carrying out daily life.

"We also have to actively work on it. For example by means of health and vaccines. So that what we hope for is not only a prayer but also a new normal and we can continue our journey," he said.

Previously, representatives of Hindus in Bandung City had also kept in touch with the ranks of the Bandung City Government at the Pendopo, Wednesday, February 23, 2022, ago.

In the event, Plt. Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana, said that the Bandung City Government ensures that all religious communities in the city of Bandung have the comfort of worshiping according to their beliefs.

"I would like to thank my brothers and sisters, Hindus in the city of Bandung who have helped the government in building the city of Bandung from a good one to a better one," said Yana.(ray)**

Head of Discominfo Bandung

Yayan A. Brilyana