The annual exodus of millions of people from big cities — particularly from Jakarta to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri – begins.

Every year, Indonesian Muslims embrace the ritual, known as mudik (homecoming), traveling by private cars, motorcycles, buses, trains or airplanes for the celebration. Despite their different backgrounds – from top executives to housemaids – they all become one in the same.

This year, the number of holiday revelers is estimated to reach some eight million.

The pricey trips back home during the high season, with transportation ticket prices soaring up to three or four times higher than on regular days, are not of their concern. Some are even willing to spend hours trapped in severe traffic along the way.

These holiday travelers are wanderers – with a burning desire to spend a few happy moments with their loved ones – paying respect to their parents, meeting their relatives and friends.

As Idul Fitri marks a return to human nature as God’s most distinguished creature after one month of purification during the Ramadhan, let’s hope that all holiday revelers arrive home safely to enjoy the celebration.

Happy Idul Fitri, everyone. — JP

A passenger places his bags in the storage of a Kertajaya Train at Senen train station, Central Jakarta, on Saturday. The train is going to Pasar Turi station in Surabaya, East Java. (JP/Jerry Adiguna)

A Viar (small three-wheeled vehicle) driver, Kusdi, runs his vehicle to take his wife and three children from Bekasi, West Java, to Boyolali, Central Java. (JP/Suherdjoko)

Despite the high risk, many people still ride motorcycles to their hometown with their families, as seen on Jl. Kali Malang, East Jakarta. (JP/PJ Leo)

An officer (left) of Jakarta Narcotics Agency explains the urine test results of a bus driver at Kampung Rambutan bus terminal, East Jakarta. (JP/PJ Leo)

Shia women from Sampang, Madura Island, East java, prepare iftar (breaking the fast) meals for at a low-cost apartment complex in Sidoarjo after they were forced to leave their homes. They are waiting for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to realize his promise to bring them home for Idul Fitri.

The annual exodus of millions of people from big cities '€” particularly from Jakarta to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri '€“ begins.

Every year, Indonesian Muslims embrace the ritual, known as mudik (homecoming), traveling by private cars, motorcycles, buses, trains or airplanes for the celebration. Despite their different backgrounds '€“ from top executives to housemaids '€“ they all become one in the same.

This year, the number of holiday revelers is estimated to reach some eight million.

The pricey trips back home during the high season, with transportation ticket prices soaring up to three or four times higher than on regular days, are not of their concern. Some are even willing to spend hours trapped in severe traffic along the way.

These holiday travelers are wanderers '€“ with a burning desire to spend a few happy moments with their loved ones '€“ paying respect to their parents, meeting their relatives and friends.

As Idul Fitri marks a return to human nature as God'€™s most distinguished creature after one month of purification during the Ramadhan, let'€™s hope that all holiday revelers arrive home safely to enjoy the celebration.

Happy Idul Fitri, everyone. '€” JP