Indonesian Hindus Hold A Melasti Ritual Ceremony, Bantul - 03 Mar 2024
Hindu devotees are performing dances during the Melasti ritual ceremony at Parangkusumo Beach, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on March 3, 2024. The Melasti ritual is held annually ahead of the Nyepi Day of Silence, a ceremony intended to cleanse and purify the souls of the Balinese Hindu devotees. Nyepi is a Hindu celebration observed every new year according to the Balinese calendar. The national holiday is one of self-reflection and meditation, and activities such as working, watching television, or travelling are restricted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.