Padusan Ceremony In Boyolali Canceled Ahead Of Ramadan

Umbul Sungsang in Pengging, Banyudono, Boyolali Regency, Central Java (ANTARA)

BOYOLALI - The Youth, Sports and Tourism Office of Boyolali Regency, Central Java, is eliminating padusan ceremonies ahead of Ramadan to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Head of The Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office of Boyolali Susilo Hartono Regency said the ceremony could not be done because the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) to control the transmission of corona virus is still ongoing.

"We did not hold a padusan ritual ceremony this year, no promotion, and no people's entertainment, because the rules of PPKM Mikro are still ongoing," he said at the Umbul Sungsang Pengging Boyolali attraction quoted by Antara, Thursday, April 8.

Susilo said the manager of tourist attractions during the pandemic should limit visitors to a maximum of 50 percent of the capacity of tourist attractions and comply with health protocols.

"If any visitor wants to carry out padusan of course we welcome, as long as it is limited and should not be too full or only 50 percent of the capacity, so that health protocols are maintained," he said.

Susilo explained, padusan is a tradition of cleaning up to welcome the month of Ramadan carried out by some Javanese people. Padusan is usually done two days before Ramadan.

In Boyolali, padusan tradition is often carried out in umbul Sungsang and Umbul Tirtomarto baths in pengging tourist area, Umbul Tlatar, and bathing places in Simo Subdistrict.

Susilo said, the manager of the bathhouse can serve visitors in accordance with the restrictions and regulations set by the government.

Boyolali Government will work with the management of tourist attractions to monitor bathing places commonly used for padusan to ensure health protocols are implemented.

Timbul, the manager of Umbul Sungsang Baths, said he was ready to implement government rules on preventing the transmission of COVID-19.

For health protocols, handwashing is provided in the bath and the manager limits the number of visitors. Residents who come to the bathing place are also required to wear masks and keep their distance.

According to him, ahead of Ramadan visitors bath about 200 people per day, an increase of 20 percent compared to a normal day.