REGIONAL NEWS
Welcoming Galungan Sacred Day, Hindu communities in Pekalongan City and Batang Regency reaffirmed their commitment to unity and togetherness through a coordination meeting organized by the Pekalongan City chapter of the Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia (PHDI). The gathering took place at Pura Lingga Buana Ksira Arnawa in Panjang Baru Village, North Pekalongan District, on Sunday.
The meeting went beyond discussing technical preparations for the Galungan celebration. It also served as a forum for community consolidation, strengthening bonds of brotherhood and fostering a spirit of cooperation in practicing Hindu teachings. Through dialogue and collective forum discussion, participants organized a series of religious activities ranging from Penampahan Galungan to the communal prayers on Galungan Day.
Chairman of PHDI Pekalongan City, I Wayan Nitawan, explained that Galungan carries profound spiritual significance as a celebration of the victory of dharma over adharma. Therefore, he emphasized that preparations should be undertaken collectively to ensure that the celebration not only strengthens spiritual values but also reinforces solidarity among Hindus.
He explained that the active participation of all community members in every stage of the celebration helps cultivate a sense of belonging, strengthen familial relationships, and enhance unity among Hindus living throughout Pekalongan and Batang.
“Through these activities, the community is not only preparing for the celebration of Galungan but also strengthening bonds of brotherhood and togetherness. The spirit of mutual cooperation and family values that emerges from these efforts is essential for maintaining harmony within the Hindu community,” he said.
He further noted that Galungan provides an opportunity for Hindus to deepen their sradha (faith) and bhakti (devotion) to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa while putting the values of dharma into practice in everyday social life.
The coordination meeting was attended by Prihatini Diah Sukmawati, Hindu Religious Counselor at the Pekalongan City Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs; PHDI Pekalongan City Chairman I Wayan Nitawan; and Ketut Artika, Chairman of Pura Lingga Buana Ksira Arnawa.
Through this gathering, Hindu communities in Pekalongan and Batang demonstrated that Galungan is more than a religious observance. It is also a meaningful occasion to strengthen unity, nurture a spirit of togetherness, and preserve harmony within the community.
With preparations carried out collectively, the 2026 Galungan celebration is expected to further reinforce the values of dharma while deepening the bonds of brotherhood that serve as the foundation of Hindu community life.
Editor : I Made Juni Saputra
Photographer : I Gusti Ngurah Sathya Dharma
Contributed and translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
