Ahead of Chinese New Year, Chinese Residents in Malang Bathe the Idols

Kapanlagi.com - Approaching the Chinese New Year 2571, the Chinese community in Malang City worked together to bathe the statues of the gods. Hundreds of god statues in the Eng An Kiong Temple were cleaned along with their altars and supporting accessories.

One by one, the statues were taken down from the altars and bathed in the backyard of the temple. The statues were lined up on a table and cleaned one by one.

1. The Process of Cleaning the Statues

© KapanLagi.com/Darmadi Sasongko

The bathing process starts with pouring soapy water onto the statues while cleaning the crevices. After they are considered clean, the statues are then rinsed with flower-scented water before being dried in the sun.

Some other residents clean the god statues at several altars. These statues are quite large, so they are not taken down but cleaned in place.

"These god statues are cleaned to regain their purity as they guide and show us the way for the next year," said Bonsu Anton, the Public Relations Officer of Eng An Kiong Temple, Jalan Martadinata, Malang City, on Wednesday (30/1).

2. Clean the Gaps of Carvings

© KapanLagi.com/Darmadi Sasongko

Residents also clean the gaps of carvings with a damp cloth, lower the mosquito net that covers part of the altar, and arrange books on the altar. The process of cleaning the god statues is estimated to be completed in three days. The god statues will be returned to their original positions before the celebration of Chinese New Year.

"This cleaning is also aimed at making the congregants who come to the temple feel comfortable and focused," he said.

3. Temple Becomes a Center of Worship

Eng An Kiong Temple was built in 1825 and became the center of worship for the followers of Tri Darma, which are Khong Hu Cu, Tao, and Mahayana Buddhism in Malang City.

Meanwhile, on Saturday (28/1) yesterday, the Sung Sien ceremony was held in the same place, which is the procession of sending the holy spirits to the Almighty God. The holy spirits have the task of presenting the record of human deeds during their time on earth for a year to the Almighty God.

The Sung Sien ceremony is held once a year, precisely one week before Chinese New Year. The ceremony is carried out in front of 24 god altars, which also serve as the closing of the year-end prayers.

(kpl/dar/CDP)