Chinese New year's celebrations popularly known as Imlek, are celebrated greatly in Indonesia. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia where most of the immigrants from China lives , is a best place to celebrate this festival. Origin of Chinese new year is based on the movements of Sun and Moon. This festival is held on the 1st day of the first lunar month and celebrated for fifteen days. In Jakarta, people welcomes New year with various cultural and traditional programs . This time is also called as Spring festival as it is beginning of the Spring season. Here are some interesting activities to do if you are in Jakarta during Chinese new year.
1. Rituals at Vihara Dharma Bakti
This is one of the most popular Chinese temple. In this temple many people start their new year with a well known ritual called as Ciamsi through which people check their fortune, where questions will be answered by shaking wood cylinder which contains Bamboo sticks. Fang shen is a part of rituals where people free live sparrows for their good luck. Many live sparrows are bought on this day and set free on the belief of giving freedom to a life will give relief from all problems.
2. Shopping at Glodok to buy Chinese Ornaments
Glodok is a place to buy electronics and home appliances at good prices. During Imlek, this place is known for festive decorations. People sell all kind of Chinese new year decorations here , Items like lanterns, pink sakura tree , cheerful music to hear on festive season, different kind of scents to elaborate home with festive fragrances, souvenirs are marketed here .
3. Dragon and lion dance performances at shopping malls
Lion dance and dragon dance are always good fun to watch. Shopping malls held large festival by decorating place with red lanterns and conduct traditional Chinese lion dances every Chinese new year. With drums and acrobatic performances viewers get entertained and blessed with good fortune.
4. To watch Mid night Fireworks
This is the best thing to enjoy the new year evening. In Jakarta a huge festival of fireworks are celebrated and during night time all the temples here held firework parties. Many of the Shopping malls, popular places also conduct fireworks. So try not to miss party of lighting fireworks everywhere on New year Evening.
5. The Lanterns Festival
This is one of the auspicious festival held on Chinese new year. In this festival people decorate houses with lanterns of different shapes and colours . It is a welcome for all guests. Each lantern consists a roll of paper in which a riddle is written and after dinner each person have to answer the riddle, and a drum is sounded if riddle is answered correctly. This festival is celebrated on 15th day of Chinese new year celebrations.
6. Eat and enjoy
During festive season many special kinds of food are cooked by traditional chefs. Delicious food items will be served in all the restaurants. Dinners will be great on this festival cause not only great food, restaurants conduct musical performances to entertain guests.
