{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1566168,
        "msgid": "ubud-palace-to-conduct-balancing-ceremony-after-ancient-fig-tree-collapses-1771725773",
        "date": "2026-02-20 14:36:23",
        "title": "Ubud Palace to Conduct Balancing Ceremony After Ancient Fig Tree Collapses",
        "author": "Bali Update Editorial Team",
        "source": "BALIDISCOVERY",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Anthropology",
        "summary": "The Ubud Palace will conduct a Mercaru Ngeresigana Kerubuhan ceremony on 20 February 2026 following the catastrophic collapse of a 300-year-old sacred fig tree that crashed onto palace grounds on 15 February. The ceremony, rooted in Bali's Tri Hita Karana philosophy, seeks to restore spiritual and natural balance following the disaster, reflecting the tree's historical significance to the palace's founding and the deep cultural importance of such rituals in Balinese Hindu practice.",
        "content": "<p>Beritabali.com reports that the Ubud Palace (Puri Kantor Ubud) will\nstage a Mercaru Ngeresigana Kerubuhan Ceremony on Friday, 20 February\n2026, as a response to the dramatic collapse of an ancient fig tree\n(pohon beringin) on Sunday, 15 February 2026. A Bali Hindu Mecaru\nceremony is performed to re-establish balance and harmony between\nmankind and nature. Also known as Butha Yadnya, the elaborate rituals\nseek to harmonize the five elements of nature: earth, water, air, fire,\nand ether. Mecaru Ceremonies are considered essential and typically\nconducted in Bali following natural disasters. These rituals form an\nintrinsic part of the Island\u2019s dogmatic, all-pervasive Tri Hita Karana\nPhilosophy. The Caretaker (Penglingsir) of the Ubud Royal Palace,\nTjokorda Gede Putra Asmara Sukawati, said the Royal Household is seeking\nguidance from religious leaders on the proper rituals to follow during\nthe Mecaru Ceremony. Aerial View of Puri Kantor Ubud Fallen Tree\nDisaster Site \u201cKami nunas pemargi selanturnyane (asked for advice on the\nnext step) commented Sukawati. The Royal Ubud Palace will also ensure\nthat the buildings damaged by the incident are properly repaired, in\naccordance with customary and spiritual guidelines issued by community\nreligious leaders. Sukawati estimates that the fallen sacred Berigin\nTree was around 300 years old and was linked to the founding of the Ubud\nPalace. According to Tjokorda Sukawati, several days prior to the\nincident, the banyan tree was battered by prolonged strong winds.\nEventually, the tree split and collapsed in two directions, violently\ncrashing onto the palace grounds. The actual collapse of the tree was\ncovered on social media. Related Links. Thou Shalt Not Defile the Temple\nNatural Disasters and Negative Social Media Coverage Impacting Bali\nArrivals Stay Informed on Bali Tourism-Related News: Subscribe to Bali\nUpdate<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ubud-palace-to-conduct-balancing-ceremony-after-ancient-fig-tree-collapses-1771725773",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}