Balinese spiritually purify bomb site
I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali
Thousands of people gathered along the southern end of Jl. Legian here on Friday evening to witness the sacred Hindu rituals Byakaon, Durmanggala and Prayascita, held to purify and energize both the physical and spiritual realms in and around the site where more than 180 people died in last Saturday night's bombing.
The rituals were performed by the traditional customary village of Desa Adat Kuta.
"Balinese people firmly believe that Sekala --the physical world -- where we live, is continually connected to Niskala -- the spiritual realm. When bad things happen in one of the realms, then it will also affect the other realm. The occurrence of violent death is believed to be one of the worst things that can Ngeletehin -- disturb the balance and desecrate the place and people of both realms," Ketut Sumarta, an expert in Balinese culture and their belief system, told The Jakarta Post.
"In Legian more than 100 people suffered a violent death, so the local people believe that they must deal with desecration and imbalance of a terrifying magnitude. Thus, a purification ceremony must be held as soon as possible," Sumarta said.
The rituals were officiated over by 19 pemangku (temple priests) from the Kahyangan Tiga (three main temples) of Kuta.
Wearing traditional Balinese costumes, those taking part in the rituals sat a few meters from the epicenter of the blast. A number of them continuously chanted the solemn song of Kidung, praising the almighty power and infinite blessing of the gods, while the pemangku prepared the offerings.
When the Kidung ended, with the fragrant smell of incense hovering in the air, they began praying together, asking for forgiveness and pleading to the gods to restore the purity and spiritual energy of the place.
The highlight of the rituals was when all of the pemangku rose, walked into the blast site and sprinkled Tirta (holy water) over the ground before sprinkling it over the people.
"We use six different Tirta, including from the Uluwatu, Petitenget and Dalem Peed temples on Nusa Penida island, where Ratu Gede Dalem Peed, the most powerful spiritual protector of Bali, resides," the head pemangku, Wayan Purna, said.
Earlier in the morning, the Guru Piduka and Bendu Piduka rituals were performed in all temples in the Kuta area.
The evening ritual was also attended by hundreds of Muslims and Christians, who joined their Hindu brothers and sisters in prayer at the end of the rituals.
"We invited them to join this ritual in an effort to show the world that the bomb explosion was not only a tragedy for the Hindus, but also for the Muslims and Christians," the head of Desa Adat Kuta, Made Wendra, said.
A larger purification ritual, the Tawur Agung, will be held on Nov. 15. Families of the bombing victims, particularly those from Australia, will be invited to attend the ceremony.
The Tawur Agung ritual will be held to further purify and restore the balance between the physical and spiritual realms at the bomb site, and simultaneously guide the souls of the victims into a higher realm of consciousness.
"Each hotel in Kuta has pledged 10 rooms, free of charge, for the victims' families who plan to attend the ritual," Wendra said.