The philosophy of the Padusan tradition

Thu, May 24, 2018 / 04:35 pm

+ See SlideShow

/

A boy jumps into the water as part of the Padusan (bathing) tradition to welcome the Ramadhan fasting month. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
+ See SlideShow

/

A boy helps his friend to climb up from the pool. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
+ See SlideShow

/

A boy wears goggles as he swims during Padusan. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
+ See SlideShow

/

Swimmers are viewed from under the shade of a banyan tree. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
+ See SlideShow

/

The silhouette of a boy is seen as he watches his friends swimming. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
+ See SlideShow

/

A girl does the backstroke. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
+ See SlideShow

/

Three boys happily swim at the Umbul Pajangan pool. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
+ See SlideShow

/

A father washes his son’s hair to complete the Padusan ritual. JP/Boy T. Harjanto

Boy T. Harjanto

The sound of splashing water could be heard as someone entered the Umbul Pajangan natural swimming pool complex. Children were seen swimming and playing in the pool’s water. The scorching heat did not hinder visitors from coming from morning to afternoon.

The Umbul Pajangan pool, located in Saren village, Wedomartani district, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, was thronged with visitors who wished to conduct the Padusan (bathing) ritual prior to welcoming the Ramadhan fasting month.

Padusan is an ancient tradition on Java. It is a symbol of purifying one’s body and mind before fasting during Ramadhan.

The natural pool has a clear spring and has been famous since 2010. The spring water is not only used for the swimming pool but also for irrigating surrounding rice fields. [yan]