Fireball Phenomenon Sparks Nightly Stir in Tabanan, Linked to 'Ulah Pati'

Residents of Jegu Village in Penebel Subdistrict, Tabanan, have been startled by a fireball phenomenon reported to occur almost nightly. The occurrence went viral on social media, attracting visitors from outside the village to witness it firsthand.

Bendesa Adat Jegu Ida Bagus Komang Gangga confirmed the phenomenon, stating it first emerged around four months ago, paused, then reappeared ten days after a ngaben ceremony for an elderly person who died on Mount Batukaru.

He explained that the fireballs typically manifest when someone dies unnaturally, referred to locally as ‘ulah pati’, and are usually visible between 7pm and 11pm WITA in spiritually charged areas such as setra (cemeteries), pura prajapati (cemetery temples), crossroads, and village boundaries.

After consulting village elders and a pedanda, the village conducted a pecaruan Eka Sata ceremony at the village’s kahyangan temple. Gangga noted the phenomenon subsided afterward, with only occasional white-hued fireballs appearing.

To manage the influx of spectators and prevent inappropriate behaviour in the sacred area, the village deployed pecalang. Gangga dismissed supernatural human intervention, stating it is unlikely for practitioners of leak to operate at such hours, as this is common knowledge in Bali.

Notably, the fireball sightings have not caused public alarm, with the village maintaining a peaceful atmosphere despite the attention.