The Denpasar City Government solemnly carried out Bhakti Penganyar as part of the annual Piodalan ceremony at Mandhara Giri Semeru Agung Temple, Lumajang Regency, on Sunday (July 5, 2026). This spiritual procession, which coincided with Rahina Redite Pon Wuku Medangsia, was attended directly by the Mayor of Denpasar, I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara, along with Deputy Mayor I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa and other local officials.
The arrival of the Denpasar City Government delegation at one of the largest temples in East Java was welcomed with a series of sacred art offerings. Various groups, including WHDI, DWP Denpasar City, and the Forum of Village Heads and Urban Village Heads, presented dances such as Rejang Renteng, Rejang Taksu Bhuwana, and Baris Gede. This sacred moment became even more solemn as Mayor Jaya Negara participated by performing the Topeng Keras dance, followed by a joint prayer led by Ida Pedanda Gede Dwija Padang Rata.
Mayor Jaya Negara emphasized that the Piodalan moment serves as a reflection for devotees to continuously foster sradha bhakti (faith and devotion). According to him, this ceremony is an effective medium for maintaining a balanced relationship between humans, God, and the surrounding environment, a concept known as Tri Hita Karana.
Mandhara Giri Semeru Agung Temple itself is viewed as a strategic cultural meeting point between Hindu communities in Bali and Java. Event Head (Manggala Karya) Cokorda Gede Indrayana explained that the implementation of Bhakti Penganyar this time also involved active participation from the Sidoarjo Regency Government and the Surabaya City Government. This cross-regional synergy reinforces the temple's role as a unifying center for the community.
The series of Piodalan ceremonies in 2026 is scheduled to run for 11 days, starting from Purnama Kasa on June 29 until July 10. During this period, the temple is open 24 hours a day to serve Hindus from various parts of the country who come continuously to offer prayers.
