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Jakartans flock to public cemeteries before start of Ramadhan
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Visitors pray at the graves of their deceased ancestors at Jeruk Purut public cemetery (TPU) in South Jakarta on the afternoon of May 13. (Warta Kota/Feryanto Hadi)
W
ith the start of Ramadhan only a few days away, Jakartans are flocking public cemeteries to perform the ritual of visiting the graves of their loved ones before the fasting month.
Lofyan, a security guard of the Jakarta Forestry Agency stationed at Jeruk Purut public cemetery (TPU) in South Jakarta, said more visitors started coming to the public cemetery about a week ago.
“Sunday was the peak day for visitors. Around 2,000 people have come from morning until this afternoon,” Lofyan said as quoted by Warta Kota on Sunday.
He said the Jeruk Purut TPU management increased the number of security guards in the cemetery to 10 in three areas due to the increase of visitors.
Ramdani, 43, was one of the pilgrims visiting Jeruk Purut TPU on Sunday to pray for his father, who had died a few years ago.
“Visiting my parents' grave has become a tradition for us. We do not look for any blessing here. We are just praying for our parents,” said Ramdani, who came to Jeruk Purut TPU with his relatives.
Other public cemeteries, such as Budi Darma TPU in CIlincing, North Jakarta, and Kemiri Rawamangun TPU in East Jakarta, were also crowded with visitors who wanted to pray for their deceased loved ones.
At Karet Bivak TPU in Central Jakarta, the increased number of visitors also attracted roadside vendors, causing frustration between visitors who wanted to park their cars and vendors who had stationed themselves around the cemetery. (ami)
