Bali: Paradise for millennial partyers

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Millennial fever has hit Bali. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists have already flocked to this island of paradise, the site of the biggest and longest millennial party in Indonesia.

Local artists, hotels and restaurants and the provincial government have begun brainstorming about millennial celebrations since a few years ago.

A minute before midnight on Dec. 31, l999, Bali will start colossal art events, like the unveiling of the gigantic Garuda Wisnu Kencana monument in Kuta, the Sacred Rhythm International Percussion Festival in Nusa Dua and Ubud and spectacular art exhibitions at various sites in Bali.

Traditional dances and songs, puppetry and carnival-mask events will continue into the early hours of Jan. 1.

Star-rated hotels, restaurants and discos are ready to entertain their guests with a large variety of programs from Hollywood-style cabarets to traditional legong dances.

But, not everybody here is affected by millennial fever. Many Balinese are still immune to the fever.

Some view the coming of the new millennium as just another flip of a calendar page.

Cultural observer Nyoman Gde Sugiharta said the Balinese are steadfast Hindus.

"They faithfully follow the Caka Hindu calendar. According to this calendar, the new millennium will fall in the year 2079," Sugiharta said.

At midnight on Dec. 31 there will be a great mix of God and mammon, prayer and partying, sacred and profane in Bali.

While thousands of revelers will be partying at several locations in Bali, some locals will prefer to welcome the new millennium in a more sacred and religious atmosphere.

They have nothing against parties and celebrations but they just want the moment to be more spiritual than sensational.

Agus Indra Udayana, for example, coordinator of Ashram Bali Gandhi Vidyapith, a spiritual organization which actively voices the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi -- nonviolence -- plans to hold Jagra Bumi (Care of the Earth ritual) from Dec. 31, l999, through Jan. 4, 2000.

"The ritual will involve several spiritual groups in Bali," said Agus.

Among the groups are Ananda Marga, Brahma Kumaris, Hare Khrisna and Sai Baba. In the past few years, these groups have attracted numerous followers.

Ashram Bali Gandhi Vidyapith in Denpasar and Ashram Bali Canti Sena in Candidasa, East Bali, led by the respected Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka, are renowned as places for nurturing religious dialog.

The Jagra Bumi ritual will start on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. at Kuta beach to await the last sunset of the 20th century.

The ritual will be followed by a Patra Yatra procession of Hindu religious leaders and their followers along Kuta beach.

After the procession, the followers will perform Agni Hortra (Fire ritual) to purify the earth by midnight.

Upon arrival at the ashram (boarding house) in Denpasar, the leaders will recite religious hymns and prayers.

At 2 a.m on Jan. 1, they will walk to the Puputan Badung park in Denpasar to mark the new millennium.

"We hope that these spiritual activities will purify the earth and prevent people from evil things," said Agus.

Artist Wayan Dibya has another way to celebrate the New Year.

Together with his colleagues, Wayan will organized a sacred arts performance called Nyurya Sewana Bumi at four different sites across Bali.

Nyurya Sewana Bumi, according to Hindu scholar Ketut Sumarta, is a daily ritual to greet the sun. At dawn, Hindu priests hold a special ritual to pay respects to the sun.

These will be held at Buleleng, North Bali, Gilimanuk, West Bali, Karang Asem, East Bali, and Jimbaran, near Denpasar.

They will involve a number of performing art groups in Bali, including Sekeha Teruna Teruni Eka Genta Bongaya, Teater Seribu Jendela and Bali Eksperimental Teater.

For those who want to enrich their spiritual lives, these two millennial events are probably good options. (zen)