PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - February 10 2024 will be a special day for Confucians and some ethnic Chinese. They will celebrate the 2575 Kongzili Chinese New Year.

In the city of Bandung, a number of monasteries appear to be preparing to welcome this big day. Large candles can be seen towering in the corners of the monasteries, one of which is at the Dharma Ramsi Vihara.

Vihara Dharma Ramsi official, Asikin said, the process of making these candles has been carried out since September 2023. Here, these candles are made to order, and there are 4 candle sizes starting from 25 catties, 50 catties, 100 catties, and 200 catties. Meanwhile, 1 catty of wax weighs around 6.25 ounces.

“For this large 200 size candle, the production of one candle takes 3 days. "That's why we have been producing it for a long time," said Asikin.

Even though it looks majestic and iconic, in fact this candle conveys a very simple and basic message for human life and the universe.

These candles, which come in a package containing two or a pair, have writing written on them. Because in one pair, there are two writings which actually have two messages.

"First, this means that the family is safe and prosperous, there are no problems," said Asikin, pointing to one of the 200 candles.

"The other one means advanced business, advanced finance," he added.

He said that the message is always the same from year to year during Chinese New Year celebrations, and in every size of candle that is made.

Asikin said that the two hopes for this year of the dragon are health and prosperity for all religious communities.

“We have already been hit by a pandemic. Thankfully, this moment has passed. "This is an opportunity to work together, hopefully these dragons will open the door to our fortune," he said.

For your information, 2575 Kongzili is the Year of the Dragon in Chinese ethnic beliefs. The theme for this year's Chinese New Year is "Flying Dragons Floating Hometown Happiness". (Diskominfo Bandung City/Fauziah)