Larung Sesaji: A Sacred Prelude to the Seven Lakes Festival 2025 in Probolinggo

TIMESINDONESIA, PROBOLINGGO – On a serene Friday morning (7/11/2025) at Ranu Segaran in Desa Segaran, Kecamatan Tiris, Kabupaten Probolinggo, East Java, the ritual of Larung Sesaji was held to mark the official opening of the Seven Lakes Festival 2025. 

Larung Sesaji is a time-honoured local tradition in which offerings—typically agricultural produce, food, sometimes flowers or symbolic items—are set adrift on water as a gesture of gratitude and respect for nature. In this instance, the local community of Tiris employed the ritual at Ranu Segaran as a means of giving thanks for the bounty of the land and seeking blessing (ridho) and protection from the powers of nature. 

During the ceremony the community formed a procession carrying “gunungan” (pyramids of produce and ceremonial items) towards the lake. A communal prayer led by local religious and cultural leaders was recited, honouring the water, land and sky. 

The Bupati of Probolinggo, Mohammad Haris (often called “Gus Haris”), personally walked onto a catwalk extended into the lake and cast the offerings into the water. 

Gus Haris explained that this ritual sets a spiritual foundation for the festival and embodies the region’s commitment to nurture and celebrate its natural assets. "It is not just a performance, but a sincere expression of gratitude and hope for sustainable growth," he said.

Why Here, and Why Now?

Kecamatan Tiris is notable for its natural richness: the area encompasses seven lakes (ranu) and seven waterfalls, which the festival organisers have embraced as part of their concept.

The festival, starting with Larung Sesaji, is more than just a tourism event: it aims to stimulate local economy, empower the community (especially in Desa Segaran and surrounding villages), and showcase the area as an international-level destination.

The Festive Atmosphere & Cultural Highlights

While the ritual carried a solemn tone, the festival atmosphere quickly shifted into vibrant celebration. Following the Larung Sesaji a fashion-culture show took place, where ladies from 16 villages around the lake walked on a floating catwalk wearing costumes inspired by local wisdom and nature.

Stalls featuring local UMKM (micro-small-medium enterprises) displayed specialty coffee, agricultural products, handicrafts—mechanisms by which the festival hopes to generate economic spin-offs for the community. 

Significance for the Local Community

For the residents of Desa Segaran and neighbouring areas, hosting such a ceremony marks a moment of pride and potential transformation. Local officials highlight that the event brings increased attention, tourism arrivals, and consequent demand for services—benefitting lodging, food, craft vendors and more. 

Moreover, the ritual emphasises the place of cultural tradition in development: rather than sidelining local customs, the festival weaves them into its core narrative, grounding modern tourism in ancestral values of gratitude and stewardship of nature.

Looking Ahead

With the Larung Sesaji inaugurating the Seven Lakes Festival 2025, the stage is set for a week-long series of events (from 7 to 16 November 2025) across natural sites in Tiris and Krucil, including lake tours, waterfall treks, nature excursions, adventure sports, culture shows and more. 

The hope among local leaders is that the festival will shift the identity of the region: from being “the most under-prosperous” in the area to becoming one of the most vibrant and prosperous, powered by nature, culture and community energy. 

The Larung Sesaji held at Ranu Segaran is a powerful reminder that tourism need not be simply about spectacle—it can be rooted in meaning, tradition and community.

By honouring the elements (water, land, sky), offering thanks, and asking for well-being, the opening ritual aligns the Seven Lakes Festival's ambition with the rhythm of nature and culture. For visitors, the ceremony offers a glimpse into the spiritual heart of the region; for residents, it offers hope for recognition and growth. (*)