TEMPO.CO, Solo - Celebration of Vesak 2025 in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia, on Saturday night, May 10, 2025, was lively. The Mayor of Solo, Respati Ardi, initiated the carnival of harmony. The event reflects the harmony and religious tolerance of the people in the city, known as the City of Bengawan.
Hundreds of participants from various community elements joined the carnival, which started at the mayor's official residence, Loji Gandrung, and ended at Solo City Hall. The carnival carried the theme of Basic Wisdom for the Nobility of the Nation.
Buddhist followers, and other participants from the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), youth activists, children's forums, and cross-religious and belief communities, accompanied the Buddha statues in the carnival. Subsequently, the Buddha statues were bathed in the Yu Fo or Puja Mandi Buddha ceremony.
The people of Solo enthusiastically participated in the event, as seen from the numerous residents who watched the carnival along the route.
The First-ever Carnival
Respati Ardi explained that the previous carnival had gone through lengthy discussions. "Previously, we had an audience at Loji, and I insisted that there must be a carnival. This is the first time," said Respati after the procession on Saturday night.
He mentioned that the harmony carnival was to celebrate Vesak in Solo and symbolize that Solo welcomes everyone, with no intolerance in the city. He emphasized that they are very open to accepting other religious communities.
"Loji Gandrung and the city hall are open; this applies to any religion recognized by the law," said the former Chairman of the Central Board of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Solo.
The Chairperson of the 2025 Vesak Committee, Rama Mettasiri Sutrisno, revealed that Carnival has a mission to spread the spirit of wisdom in various aspects of life.
"Basic wisdom starts from oneself, from the family, from the organization, and from the nation. In the end, it will affect the nation itself," he said.
Rama Mettasiri mentioned that the 2569 TB/2025 Vesak celebration has received full support from the Mayor of Solo. "This is the first carnival held in Solo," he said.
Rama revealed the message from the Mayor of Solo, who hopes the event can be held again in the following years. "If we know it will be as festive as this, we hope that in the following years, we will be given a better place, presented better, and the Buddhist community of Solo will be given a place for the (ceremony) of bathing flowers in the courtyard of the city hall," he said.
Social service activities, art performances at the yard of Solo City Hall, Pindapatta, blood donation, and Dharmasanti at the Candi Putih Vihara Dhamma Sundara enlivened the 2025 Vesak celebration in Solo. These celebrations took place from May 1 to June 1, 2025.
Editor's Choice: Whoosh Vows Smoother Services with More Ticket Counters Ahead Vesak Holiday
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Palace to Review Proposal for Solo as a Special Region
15 hari lalu
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi affirmed that the government will thoroughly study a proposal to designate Solo as a special region.
Two Injured as Ground Collapses at a Multipurpose Building in Central Java
52 hari lalu
The ground collapses in the kitchen of Sasono Kridho in the city of Solo, Central Java, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Solo City to Hold Longest Ramadan Iftar in Indonesia; 15,000 Meals Prepped
58 hari lalu
The longest Ramadan breaking fast in Solo, Central Java, on Friday, March 14, 2025, will be recorded in the MURI record.
Jokowi Reveals Mahathir Mohamad's Simple Secrets to Staying Fit at 100
27 Februari 2025
Mahathir Mohamad visited Indonesia and specifically made a trip to Jokowi's residence in Solo City on Wednesday afternoon, February 26, 2025.
Budi Arie Confirms Talks with Jokowi About Forming New Political Party
20 Februari 2025
Chairperson of Projo Budi Arie Setiadi visited the residence of the 7th Indonesian President, Jokowi, in Solo on January 25.
8 Valentine's Day Solo Traveling Tips
12 Februari 2025
If you are interested in going on a vacation alone on Valentine's Day, here are tips for traveling solo.
Dissolution of Jamaah Islamiyah in Solo, Thousands of Ex-Members Declare to Return to the Indonesian Republic
22 Desember 2024
A total of 1,200 former Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) declared the dissolution of the organization & to return to the Republic of Indonesia.
AFF Cup 2024: Police Deploy 890 Personnel to Guard Indonesia Vs Laos Match
11 Desember 2024
The AFF Cup 2024 Group B qualifying match at the Manahan Stadium in Solo, Central Java, will be tightly secured by the joint police and military team.
VP Gibran to Cast Vote in Solo, Joint Personnel to Tighten Security
26 November 2024
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka will cast his vote in the 2024 regional election at Polling Station 18 Manahan, Solo City.
VP Gibran Announces Nvidia to Open AI School in Solo
21 November 2024
Vice President Gibran announced that Nvidia will invest in several Indonesian cities, including Solo.
