Prambanan Shiva Festival 2026 Closed with the Lighting of 1,008 Lanterns

JAKARTA - The 2026 Prambanan Shiva Festival series was closed with the Mahashivaratri event at Wisnu Square, Prambanan Temple Tourism Park by presenting the lighting of 1,008 dipa (light), Sunday night.

The first Mahashivaratri held in Indonesia was also played by damaru (musical instrument) which symbolizes the unity of the people in prayer, creating an atmosphere that supports deep meditation for peace and prosperity in the world (Jagadhita).

Chairman of the Prambanan Temple Utilization Team I Nyoman Ariawan Atmaja said that Mahashivaratri is a series of the 2026 Prambanan Shiva Festival. This is a moment of deep reflection, purification of the soul, and strengthening of togetherness through a series of sacred rituals that combine the art, culture, and spiritual values of the Prambanan Temple.

"Mahashivaratri is one of the most important holy days for Hindus around the world. That night will be commemorated as a moment of worship to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer, and the source of the highest consciousness in the Hindu teachings," he said.

According to him, in Indonesia, the celebration of Mahashivaratri has an increasingly strong meaning when it is carried out at the Prambanan Temple complex which is the largest Hindu temple area in Indonesia.

"The sound of damaru (Siwa's small drum) accompanying the ritual symbolizes awakening the people from 'spiritual sleep' and starting to walk on the path of policy. Mahashivaratri is a momentum of transformation for each individual to let go of the burden of the past and be reborn with a clearer and wiser awareness," he said.

Mahashivaratri 2026 was enlivened by a cultural parade from Kedulan Temple to Prambanan Temple which featured a line of bearers of sacred objects and holy water from 36 provinces and nine Nusantara temples that had been purified by 35 Sulinggih.

The Maha Gangga Tirta Gamana procession, where the water is united as a symbol of self-purification and cosmic harmony, has a meaning about the interconnectedness of humans, nature, and spirituality. this as a symbol of cleansing oneself from all impurities of thoughts, words, and deeds.

"Entering the core of the ritual, the people follow the Abhisekam or temple purification ceremony, which consists of Abhisekam Mahashivaratri as the peak offering ritual, followed by Abhisekam 4 and Abhisekam 5, which are offerings until dawn," he said.

The magical atmosphere is presented through the Dhipa Festival with 1008 dipa that are lit simultaneously accompanied by the sound of damaru that shakes the heart. Visual splendor will also be presented through video mapping attractions that wrap the temple with light technology, in the concourse area with decorations that add to the atmosphere of solemnity.

"Through this flame, humans are reminded to return to the balance of life. The philosophy of the three sides of the dipa reflects the energy of the Trimurti, God Brahma as the producer of the initial light, God Vishnu as the guardian of harmony and love so that the light remains alive, and God Shiva who merges into darkness to lead humans to the highest self-awareness," he said.

Mahashivaratri is held collaboratively by various parties, including the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Religion through the Directorate General of Hindu Bimas and the Prambanan Temple Utilization Team, the Ministry of Culture, the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Association (PHDI) and InJourney Destination Management.