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.