Thousands Celebrate Lunar New Year in Jakarta

Jakarta (Antara) - At least 15 thousand people of Chinese origin from across Indonesia gathered at the oldest Buddhist temple in Jakarta, Jin De Yuan or Dharma Bhakti Temple, to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2566. "It is our tradition to celebrate Lunar New Year at the oldest temple to honor our ancestors," stated Andi Santosa, a visitor at the Dharma Bhakti Temple, here on Thursday. From the first day of Wooden Goat year until March 5, the pilgrims will continue to visit the worship house, which was built in 1650. The celebration will be held for 15 days, and the people of Chinese origin will celebrate the last day called "Cap Go Meh." According to Andi, the visitors hailed from various cities of Indonesia including Singkawang in West Kalimantan. Several worshippers brought red candles and burnt incense sticks as well as offered prayers at the temple to usher in the Lunar New Year. The ethnic Chinese community believes that lighting red candles can bring good fortune and burning papers will fulfill their wishes. The Chinese ethnic community also holds a milkfish market near the temple that symbolizes welfare. (*)