Ahead of Chinese New Year, Gorontalo Tridharma People Steal Arca

The procession of washing the statue (ANTARA/Adiwinata Solihin)

JAKARTA - The procession of washing the statue was carried out by the Tridharma Gorontalo people ahead of the arrival of the Chinese New Year 2577 Kongzili. The event was held at the Tulus Harapan Kita Temple, Gorontalo City, Gorontalo Province, Sunday, February 8.

The Advisor for the Place of Worship Tridharma (TITD) Tulus Harapan Kita Rocky Liando in Gorontalo said that the washing of the statue and cleaning of the temple was carried out in welcoming the Chinese New Year.

"Starting from dawn we wash or clean the statues that are in places of worship," said Rocky as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday.

The officers who carried out this process wore all-white clothes, and each time they started to clean the statue, they paid homage to the god.

The Tridharma people wash the statues using various types of hygiene tools, ranging from cloth, tissue, wooden brushes to cleaners with small cotton tips. After the statue is finished washing, each village statue and goddess is wrapped with a small towel.

He said, before washing the statue, he and other parishioners performed a ritual at 05.00 and the cleaning activities would be carried out until the evening.

"Every year we carry out this, in the context of Cap Go Meh and Chinese New Year," he said.

Rocky said there were 30 statues or statues of gods and goddesses that were washed and involved the management body, prayer officers and other members.

"After we clean it up, it will be returned to the altar and its original place," he concluded.