Besakih Temple Management Screens for Single-Use Plastic During IBTK Ceremony

Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Sacred Area Facilities Management Agency of Pura Agung Besakih (FKSPA) is screening for the use of single-use plastic during the major Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh (IBTK) ceremony in 2026.

“This screening is a preventive measure we are taking to ensure Pura Agung Besakih remains free from single-use plastic waste,” said the Public Relations Officer of the FKSPA Besakih Management Agency, I Putu Murdiana Jaya, in a statement from the Bali Provincial Government in Denpasar on Tuesday.

Putu Murdiana stated that monitoring of single-use plastic usage is conducted on worshippers intending to ascend for offerings.

This is in accordance with Bali Governor’s Circular No. 97 of 2018 on Restricting the Generation of Single-Use Plastic Waste.

“Compared to last year, this year’s worshippers are more aware, and very few are bringing single-use plastic bags,” said Putu Murdiana.

The FKSPA Besakih Management Agency observes that for IBTK 2026, worshippers are already more aware and concerned about the cleanliness and sanctity of Pura Agung Besakih. However, they acknowledge that some Hindu devotees are still found bringing and using single-use plastic bags to wrap ceremonial items.

Therefore, in addition to screening for single-use plastic, the FKSPA Besakih Management Agency is also educating worshippers not to bring single-use plastic when visiting Pura Agung Besakih.

The sacred ceremony at Bali’s largest temple will continue until 23 April 2026.

Furthermore, Putu Murdiana conveyed that kiosks in the Pura Agung Besakih area have also provided environmentally friendly cloth bags.

Thus, when single-use plastic is confiscated by officers, worshippers can replace it with a more eco-friendly option.

“This plastic screening has been carried out since 2023. We have provided replacement bags for free to worshippers,” he said.

However, due to intensive socialisation over three years, for IBTK 2026, the management is no longer providing replacement bags to worshippers caught bringing single-use plastic.

Instead, they are directed to purchase them independently from available kiosks if needed.