The Great Tawur Kesanga Ceremony Welcomes the Holy Day of Nyepi at Prambanan Temple

Thousands of Indonesian Hindus participated in the Tawur Agung Kesanga ceremony to commemorate the Holy Day of Silence (Nyepi) during the Saka New Year 1948 at Prambanan Temple on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The Tawur Agung Kesanga ceremony aims to purify the universe and maintain a harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and God.

The priests and devotees begin the Tawur Agung Kesanga procession with Atur Piuning and Mendak Tirta, a procession where holy water is collected from a spring and then taken to Prambanan Temple as a symbol of purification. Afterward, they perform the pradaksina (circling the Prambanan temple complex clockwise).

A procession of holy water and a cultural parade from the main entrance to the venue. The procession continues with mecaru (a procession of offerings) and nganteb (a procession of offerings) as a form of purification of the universe, harmonizing the relationship between humans and the environment, and transforming negative traits into positive ones. 

The final event closed with prayers and nunas tirta or ritual purification with holy water (strip). This holy water is sprinkled on the body, drunk, and rubbed on the face three times to purify Bayu (energy), Sabda (speech) and Idep (mind).

The Tawur Agung Kesanga also showcases cultural performances such as the Gambyong dance, a 9th-century dance drama, and the sacred Bedhaya Laksita Murti dance. The parade concludes with an ogoh-ogoh and gunungan parade, enlivened by baleganjur music and penjor decorations within the Prambanan Temple Tourism Park. Tourists can also interact directly with the congregation during the parade.

I Nengah Duija, Director General of Hindu Community Guidance at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that the Tawur Agung Kesanga ceremony is significant, purifying oneself and the universe before performing the Catur Brata Penyepian (retirement ritual). Tawur Agung is not merely a meaningless ritual, but rather a means of addressing the global crisis, environmental degradation, and other issues.

"This ritual reminds us that harmony can only be achieved through mutual care. The essence of religion is tied to the social reality that can be built within the religious civilization of the archipelago," he explained.

He hoped the Tawur Agung event would serve as a turning point for greater appreciation for nature, strengthening brotherhood across religions and cultures, and for building a nation based on dharma. Furthermore, I Nengah Duija conveyed the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs' message to respect two sacred occasions that coincided closely: Nyepi Day and Eid al-Fitr.

"Of course, these two holidays are not just a reminder for humanity, but God requires that these two sacred moments go hand in hand. The Minister of Religion's message is, let us ensure that these two holy days can run smoothly, with pure hearts and clear minds, so that the universe can contribute to the welfare of humanity," he continued.

The General Chairperson of the Central Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI), Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, explained that in accordance with this year's Nyepi theme, it is hoped that everyone will be aware as human beings by respecting human rights.

"We must always be aware of respecting human rights, being aware of our religious obligations, and being aware of being Indonesian citizens based on Pancasila. The holy day of Nyepi also coincides with Eid al-Fitr, so I remind us all to have empathy, sympathy, and tolerance for religious life," he explained.

InJourney Destination Management Commercial Director Gistang Panutur said the Tawur Agung Kesanga (Great Kesanga Festival) will be held by the Central Java branch of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI). The Tawur Agung Kesanga will feature ogoh-ogoh and gunungan (mountains) in a cultural parade held within the Prambanan Temple Tourism Park.

"We are committed to providing the best possible service for the 30 to 35 Hindu devotees who will fill the Wisnu Mandala field at Prambanan Temple. Our entire operational team has been deployed to oversee the procession to ensure it remains orderly without compromising the sacredness of the worship," he said.

Gistang said that as a form of respect for Hindus who are carrying out the Catur Brata Penyepian on Nyepi Day, InJourney Destination Management is temporarily closing the operations of the Prambanan Temple Tourism Park destination on Nyepi Day, Saka New Year 1948, on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

The operational closure of the Prambanan Temple Tourism Park during the Nyepi 2026 celebrations will begin on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) to Friday, March 20, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The closure will also be accompanied by a power outage in the surrounding area. During the closure, all areas of Zone I and Zone II of Prambanan Temple will be closed to tourism.

"Through this event, the management hopes that Prambanan Temple will continue to be a space of contemplation that unites various levels of society in a spirit of kinship and togetherness in the lead-up to Nyepi. This symbolizes our shared responsibility for preserving the site, developing arts and culture, and fostering social harmony in and around Prambanan Temple," he concluded.