The procession began with the parade of a fruit and vegetable gunungan, along a 2-kilometer route through the hamlets of Sudiroprajan on foot. Among the items being paraded were 17 heritage spears and keris (traditional daggers), including the spear of Kyai Ageng Sudiroprajan.

"Umbul Mantram is our expression of gratitude to God and our way of sending prayers to the ancestors. The peak of the imlek celebration in Surakarta will be Grebeg Sudiro," said parade leader Empu Basuki Teguh Yuwono.

As the parade arrived at the office of Sudiroprajan subdistrict office, it was welcomed by dance and Javanese poetry reading performances. The spear of Kyai Ageng Sudiroprajan was later given by Empu Basuki to community figures and subdistrict heads.

(Read also: Chinese-Javanese cultural harmony in Surakarta)

Jebres district head Tamso said the Umbul Mantram ritual was a symbol of unity and mutual cooperation between all the communities, ethnicities and religions of the city. "For those who want to see the real spirit of unity in diversity, Umbul Mantram is a good example as it brings together different ethnicities and religions."

The peak of the ritual was the release of dozens of chickens and ducks by prominent community figures and prayer readings by representatives of Islam, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Konghucu.

The locals enthusiastically participated in the ritual by walking on foot and flocking to the gunungan, which is believed to bring blessings upon devotees. 

"I have joined the parade and gunungan several times. These rituals always bring blessings [upon me]," said Agung Sudarmaji, 43, who resides in Jagalan, Surakarta. (kes)

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