President Jokowi Invited to Attend 2019 Dharma Santi Nyepi Celebration

President Jokowi accompanied by Minister of Religious Affairs and Presidential Special Staff receives Committee of PHDI, at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (5/3). (Photo: JAY/PR)

The board of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) has invited President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to attend the 2019 National Dharma Santi Nyepi celebration (a series of Nyepi celebrations meaning to forgive each other) to be held at the Art Center, Denpasar, Bali.

“We would like to invite the President to attend the 2019 National Dharma santi Nyepi celebration (a series of Nyepi celebrations meaning to forgive each other),” Chairperson of PHDI Wisnu Bawa Tenaya said on Tuesday (5/2) at the Merdeka Palace after meeting with President Jokowi.

During the meeting, PHDI also reported to the President preparations to welcoming Nyepi  (Balinese ‘Day of Silence’), which falls on Thursday (7/3).

Dharma Santi is a celebration for friendship and love to each other for the harmony and prosperity of the country. This year’s Dharmasanti ceremony, which has been held in Jakarta for several times, will be held in Bali because Hindus people wish to go back to their hometown and reunite with their big family, Tenaya added.

Tenaya also told reporters after the meeting that a Nyepi ritual starting on Wednesday (6/3) will be held at Prambanan Temple, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta and will also be attended by Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin.

On that occasion, President Jokowi expressed hope that Hindus can observe the holy day in an orderly and safe manner, while maintaining national unity in facing the upcoming elections. (DNA/JAY/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: Muhardi
Proofread by: M. Ersan Pamungkas