"Participants do not only come from Java but also Central Kalimantan and Irian Jaya," said one organizing committee recently.

The ceremony was part of a series of pilgrimages to cemeteries held in the month of Suro in the Javanese calender.

The ceremony began when the pilgrims gathered at the Parangtritis Pavillion in the morning at around 8 a.m. and walked in a procession toward Parangkusumo beach while carrying offerings to be thrown into the sea. The offerings included a bucket of flowers, a bunch of bananas and a set of Javanese traditional clothing. Several participants with tall umbrellas were seen accompanying those who carried the offerings.

The offerings were placed on a small bench while the participants sat cross-legged facing the sea saying prayers in turn, beseeching safety and blessings. As soon as the offerings were thrown out to sea, people of different ages jostled each other to grab the offerings. The offerings that are carried away by waves and then back to the land are believed to bring blessings and to be able to protect people from disease.