Thousands Flock to Indonesian Volcano for Hindu Ritual Sacrifice

But access to the crater during the ritual was limited to worshippers and tourists were barred in line with the government’s Covid-19 guidance, he added.

The festival dates back to the 15th-century legends of the Javanese Hindu Majapahit kingdom’s princess Roro Anteng and her husband.

Unable to bear children after years of marriage, the couple begged the gods for help.

Their prayers were answered and they were promised 25 children, as long as they agreed to sacrifice their youngest child by throwing him into Mount Bromo.

Also read: Indonesia Sets Tourism Foreign Exchange Target up to $1.7 Billion in 2022

Legend has it their son willingly jumped into the volcano to guarantee the prosperity of the Tengger people.

The sacrifice tradition continues to this day, although the Tengger tribe sacrifices their harvest and farm animals instead of humans.

As local community chief Bambang lobbed his batch of crops into the volcanic crater, he prayed for harmonious relations between humans and God, nature, and their fellow human beings.

“If we take care of nature, it will take care of us as well,” he said.

Source: Agence France-Presse