The Grand Jagat Karana Temple is opened for the first time by the Chief of Staff of KODAMAR V Maritime Commodore R. Sahiran on Saraswati Day Saturday, Umanis Wu Watugunung, 29 November 1969.
This temple is situated on Lumba-Lumba Street 1 of Surabaya.
The numerous religious practices of the Hindu believers in Surabaya are mostly concentrated here. They are Galungan, Kuningan, Saraswati, Melasti, Pecaruan, and others.
With the celebration of Nyepi or New Year’s Saka, Hindu members are expected to cope with the increase of Sradha and Bhakti in order to create a harmonious society, peace, protection, and prosperity.
The Pratima will be conducted at the Melasti Ceremony, a ceremony with the intention of asking for life water or tirta amerta.
There are 11 pratimas of eight temples in Surabaya, adding three temples, each of which resided in Gresik, Lamongan, and Sidoarjo, to the Melasti ceremony.
The purpose of the Melasti ceremony, like the one written in Wedha’s Holy Book, is to “angamet marining amerta ring telenging samudra” or to look for life-water in the middle of the ocean.
In Nyepi Holiday, Hindu believers are going to execute Catur Brata Nyepi, the prohibition of four things.
The first prohibition is “Amati Geni” or do not turn on the gas. The meaning of “Amati Geni” is to destroy the evil passion in our selves, which in time, unconsciously, still stays in our hearts.
The other three prohibitions are “Amati Karya” or do not work, “Amati Lelungaan” or do not travel, and “Amati Lelanguan” or do not enjoy entertainment.
