A ritual ceremony to commemorate Nyepi Day 2021 (Saka New Year 1943) was held with strict health protocols at Aditya Jaya Temple, Rawamangun, East Jakarta, on Saturday (3/13).

The committee limited maximum 50 people who could participate at this event

The committee limited maximum 50 people who could participate at this event. Before the pandemic, it could reach more than 1,000 people who visited this temple.

Before performing worship ritual, worshipers must have their body temperature checked and required to wear masks and wash their hands in handwashing facility. At the place of worship, they also obliged to keep their distance from each other.

Chairperson of Committee for Nyepi Day of Saka New Year 1943 Celebration in Jakarta, Ida Bagus Jaya said, only representatives from regional administrators, religious figures, community leaders, and assembly heads who were present at the temple.

"We urge worshipers to pray at homes," he conveyed.

According to him, this ritual was held from 9:00 to 12:30. There will be no prayer activity in this temple from afternoon to night.

He explained, there are four stages in celebrating Nyepi at this temple. Starting with Melasti ceremony, which is to wash away dirtiness using water from the sea. Because water is the source of life (tirta amerta).

Second is Tawur Agung Kesanga, a butha yadnya ceremony, where it symbolizes purification ritual which carried out a day before Catur Brata Penyepian or Nyepi.

Third is Nyepi or Catur Brata Penyepian, where there are four abstinence for Hindus to carry out from Sunday (3/14) to Monday (3/15). Those are no lights (Amati Geni), no working (Amati Karya), no traveling (Amati Lelungan), and no revelry/self-entertainment (Amati Lelanguan).

The final ritual stage is Ngembak Geni where Hindus perform Simakrama, Silaturahmi (build good friendship), forgive each other between families and communities.