RRI.CO.ID, South Lampung - Balinuraga Village in Way Panji Subdistrict, South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province is being positioned to become a premier cultural tourism destination through the preservation of Balinese Hindu traditions and community-led tourism initiatives.

The push was highlighted during the 2026 Mass Ngaben (Ngaben Massal) ceremony on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. As one of the largest Hindu religious events in Lampung Province, the rite will culminate on Friday, August 7, 2026, with the Ngerit cremation ritual for 153 sawa (remains).

Local residents have collaborated since mid-June to build traditional ceremonial structures, including bade towers and petulangan sarcophagi.

The event attracted international academic interest, including a visit from Associate Professor David Ng Foo Seong from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Regency officials noted that combining sacred cultural heritage with sustainable tourism development will bolster local identity and generate long-term economic benefits for local households.

Presidential envoys and regional leaders affirmed that preserving authentic cultural rites provides strong destination branding while empowering rural communities.

Special Presidential Envoy for Tourism, Zita Anjani, commended the community's dedication to maintaining their ancestral identity. "I see that the people of Balinuraga are very welcoming, their culture remains deeply rooted, and their creativity is extraordinary," she said in South Lampung on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"Potentials like this must receive continuous support so Balinuraga becomes a cultural tourism destination that South Lampung can be proud of. Culture is not only a heritage to be preserved, but also a regional asset capable of delivering economic benefits when developed sustainably through tourism," she said.

Zita further expressed pride in the community's unified preparation efforts. "I watched firsthand how this culture is cared for through immense togetherness, I extend my gratitude to the entire Balinese community in South Lampung for assisting the local administration in safeguarding cultural heritage while delivering direct benefits through these sacred events," she added. ***