The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prof. I Nengah Duija, reaffirmed that religious services must be reflected through a genuine presence among the community. He demonstrated this commitment by participating directly in the ngayah (voluntary community service) and ngelawar traditions alongside Hindu devotees during the preparations for the Karya Agung Ngenteg Linggih, Taur Gentuh, and Pujawali ceremonies at Parahyangan Agung Bhuwana Raksati (Pura Sodong), Tigaraksa, Tangerang Regency, on Saturday.
Amid preparations for the sacred ceremonies, Prof. Duija worked alongside temple guards (penyungsung), temple administrators, and community members in preparing lawar, a traditional Balinese ceremonial dish to be used in the rituals. His participation not only demonstrated support for the successful implementation of the yadnya (sacred offerings) but also reflected the Directorate General's approach to public service, which emphasizes togetherness, active participation, and close engagement with the Hindu community.
According to Prof. Duija, ngayah is a cherished Hindu tradition that embodies the values of selfless service, mutual cooperation, and shared responsibility in sustaining both religious and social life.
“We are here to serve by working alongside the community. Through ngayah and ngelawar tradition, we seek to strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation, foster closer communication, and bring the services of the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance even closer to the people,” he said.
He added that the spirit of ngayah closely aligns with the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ vision for strengthening religious life. The values of sincerity, compassion, and solidarity embedded in the tradition serve as important social capital for promoting harmony, preserving cultural heritage, and advancing the Ministry's eco-theology initiative, which seeks to strengthen harmony among humanity, nature, and God.
The Director General also expressed his appreciation to the temple guards and members of the Hindu community for their dedication and collective efforts in ensuring the success of the Karya Agung. According to him, the success of a religious ceremony depends not only on the ritual itself but also on the unity and collaboration demonstrated by the entire community.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who has served with dedication and sincerity. It is this spirit of togetherness that must continue to be nurtured so that religious life remains harmonious and our services to the community continue to improve,” he said.
Jero Mangku Gede Suwono, a temple priest and member of the Parahyangan Agung Bhuwana Raksati community, welcomed the Director General's direct participation in the ngayah activities. He said the presence of a government leader among the community set an important example that public service should be demonstrated through concrete action.
“The sense of togetherness built throughout the preparations for this sacred ceremony is an excellent example. This kind of synergy must continue to be preserved and passed on to future generations so that the spirit of mutual cooperation remains alive within our communities,” he said.
A similar appreciation was expressed by the Chair of the Karya Agung Organizing Committee, I Wayan Karyano. He noted that the Director General's presence from the preparation stage through his participation in the ngelawar tradition served as a source of encouragement and reflected the Government's strong commitment to fostering Hindu religious life.
“We initially invited him only to attend the main ceremony. However, he arrived earlier and joined the community in ngayah. His presence is a great honor for us and demonstrates that the Government is truly close to the Hindu community,” he said.
The activities at Parahyangan Agung Bhuwana Raksati illustrate that strengthening religious life is achieved not only through policies and programs but also through meaningful presence, dialogue, and active engagement with the community. The synergy among the Government, religious institutions, and the community is expected to further strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation, preserve harmony, and safeguard the noble values of Hinduism as the foundation for a harmonious and sustainable society.
Editor : I Made Juni Saputra
Photographer : I Gede Dipayana
