The Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance organized a simakrama through the tradition of ngelawar with the Hindu community at Pura Aditya Jaya, Rawamangun, Jakarta, on Friday. The event was part of a series of activities to commemorate the Sacred Day of Sarasvati and the 93rd Pujawali anniversary of Pura Aditya Jaya.
The event was attended by the Director General of Hindu Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance, the Director of Hindu Education, the Director of Hindu Religious Affairs, staff members of the Directorate General, the management of Pura Aditya Jaya, and members of the Hindu community in Jakarta who participated (ngayah) with a strong spirit of togetherness.
The event was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, all participants worked together to prepare lawar, a traditional Balinese dish rich in philosophical meaning. This activity not only served as a form of mutual cooperation (gotong royong), but also as a platform to strengthen the relationship between the government and the community.
The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance, Prof. I Nengah Duija, stated that the presence of the Directorate General among the community reflects its commitment to fostering closer engagement and solidarity.
“Today, we are at Pura Aditya Jaya Rawamangun together with the community who joins ngayah in preparation for the pujawali and in welcoming the Sacred Day of Sarasvati. We are carrying out ngelawar together as a manifestation of togetherness and as an effort to strengthen the relationship between the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance and the community. After cooking and praying, we will share a meal together as a symbol of unity,” he said.
Furthermore, Prof. Duija emphasized the profound meaning of the ngelawar tradition. “Ngelawar is not merely about cooking; it is a process that requires communication, artistry, and the ability to express oneself amid diversity. Various ingredients are blended into a harmonious taste. This reflects the philosophy of life—how we unify vision and mission within diversity. Lawar teaches us about harmony in social life,” he added.
He also expressed hope that through this activity, collaboration between the government and the Hindu community will continue to grow, further strengthening the values of tolerance in national life.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Pura Aditya Jaya Rawamangun Management, Ir. I Putu Maharta Adijadnja, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the presence of the Director General and his delegation.
“We are deeply grateful and pleased that the Director General and the team from the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance could attend and join the ngelawar together with the community. This is a meaningful and valuable moment, as this sense of togetherness is built directly, not merely in a formal setting,” he stated.
He further expressed hope that simakrama activities like this will continue to be carried out, not only during pujawali, but also on other occasions as a means of strengthening the relationship between the government and the community.
The activity concluded with a joint prayer, followed by a communal meal as a symbol of unity and togetherness among the Hindu community. In the harmony that was fostered, the ngelawar tradition once again affirmed that differences are not barriers, but strengths in creating unity and shared understanding in social life.
Translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
