Balinese purify seas in sacred ritual

Balinese purify seas in sacred ritual

Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Nusa Penida Island, East Bali

The sea was so quiet. No commercial ships, no fishermen nor
surfers were visible in the waters around Nusa Lembongan in East
Bali, around 50 kilometers southeast of Denpasar.

Its neighboring islands, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida, also
looked like barren islands. There were no activities on these
tourist islands, which were usually crowded by domestic and
foreign visitors.

Between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, residents of these three islands
deliberately stopped their daily activities to celebrate a
once-a-century ceremony, known as Nyepi Laut, to purify the
waters around the islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and
Nusa Penida, and the sea between the Badung and Lombok straits.

The ceremony started on Oct. 31 when people held Bakti Pakelem
-- the main ceremony of Karya Agung Jagat Nawa, also known as
Ruwatan Laut, a symbolic ritual to rid the sea of any harmful or
evil influences.

The ceremony, held every 100 years, was mainly aimed to
balance life in the sea.

As part of the celebration, all marine activities were stopped
for 24 hours, starting Nov. 1 at 7 a.m., to clear the sea of any
commercial or individual activities.

Ships and ferries were not allowed to carry passengers from
Padang Bai harbor in Klungkung to Lembar Harbor in Lombok. Sports
activities like snorkeling, diving and surfing were also stopped
until Nov. 3. Only invited outsiders who were allowed to witness
this large ceremony.

The Bakti Pakelem ceremony was carried out at Batu Mas Kuning
Temple in Semaya Village, Nusa Penida Island. The ritual was
actually dedicated to honor Sang Hyang Widhi in His manifestation
as Dewa Batara Baruna Manunggal Ring Tiga Sakti, or the Sea God.

This elaborate ritual was held to harmonize life in the
universe. Balinese Hindus believe in a tri hita karana
philosophy, which literally means three main sources of
happiness. The philosophy has persuaded the Balinese to maintain
harmony between themselves and their Creator (parhyangan),
between themselves (pawongan) and between themselves and their
surroundings (palemahan).

The Bakti Pakelem ritual is also based on the tri hita karana
philosophy. The ritual is performed in order to balance life in
the sea as an important natural resource for residents of the
three islands. The people believe the ritual is a way of showing
their gratitude to God, who has showered them with prosperity.

By sacrificing various animals such as pigs, cows, chickens,
ducks and other ceremonial items to Dewa Baruna, the people hope
and pray that the sea will always be friendly and a resource for
them.

The animals were carried in two ships to the sea at 3 p.m.
The ships were beautifully adorned with colorful penjor (ritual
ornaments made from bamboo poles and palm leaves decorated with
fruit and flowers) and umbul-umbul (flags).

The ritual sacrifices were performed in the middle of the sea
and went on until midnight.

Traditional music and dances, like the sacred tari rejang,
were performed during the event.

Regarded as an important religious event, the ceremony was led
by five pedanda (high priests): Pedanda Putra Telaga from Griya
Banjarangkan; Ida Pedanda Griya Kelod and Ida Pedanda Bajing of
Griya Nyalian -- all from Klungkung; Ida Pedanda Buda from Buda
Keling, Karangasem and Ida Pedanda Griya Kaler from Sanur.

I Wayan Mudana, head of the ceremony's steering committee,
said that the ceremony was not only for the benefit of Hindu
people in Bali, but also for the people of Indonesia and indeed
the whole world.