The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance, along with his staff, participated in a ngelawar activity alongside temple volunteers (pengayah) and members of the Hindu community at Pura Mertasari Rempoa on Saturday. Held as part of the temple’s pujawali celebrations, the activity served as a meaningful occasion to strengthen togetherness, mutual cooperation, and solidarity within the Hindu community.

Ngelawar, a traditional practice commonly observed among Hindus, is not only an essential part of preparations for religious ceremonies but also a valuable opportunity to foster closer relationships among community members. In a warm and family-oriented atmosphere, the Director General and fellow volunteers actively took part in preparing meals to support the pujawali celebrations.

Director General of Hindu Community Guidance, I Nengah Duija, emphasized that the primary value of the activity lies in nurturing a strong sense of togetherness as a form of social capital for the Hindu community. According to him, the spirit of mutual cooperation and collective work must continue to be preserved as a means of strengthening unity among Hindus across the country.

“May this activity contribute to building togetherness and solidarity. We hope that our religious life will always be grounded in unity and collective engagement. Today, we are strengthening the social capital that binds us together,” he said.

Prof. Duija further noted that religious life should not be expressed solely through prayer and worship, but also through social activities that foster stronger bonds among community members.

“Going forward, Hindus should not only gather for worship but also come together to build and strengthen communal solidarity,” he added.

Ngelawar tradition reflects the practical application of the Hindu value of menyama braya—the spirit of kinship and fraternity that regards all members of the community as one extended family united in their religious and social life.

Editor : I Made Juni Saputra

Photographer : I Gede Dipayana

Contributed and Translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori