Inside of Bagia (Bali Spiritual Happiness Symbol)

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“Mendak Tirta” ceremony at Tamblingan is one of the procession of the Ceremony at Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal. At this ceremony we take holy water at Lake Tamblingan – Bedugul.

Photo By : Adhiwus

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THE GRAND CEREMONY
TO HARMONIZE THE TEMPLE, ITS PRECINCTS,
THE VILLAGE, AS WELL AS THE UNIVERSE

KARYA AGUNG MUPUK PEDAGINGAN, PEDUDUSAN AGUNG

PURA DALEM AGUNG
DESA PAKRAMAN PADANGTEGAL

The Mupuk Pedagingan and Pedudusan Agung ceremony is meant to revitalize the temple, making it fit to receive the Supreme God, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, in his personification as the Destroyer who destroys all things in order to recreate them again.

The significance of this special ceremony is to harmonize the three worlds of Balinese Hindu belief. These worlds are:

1. Bhur – Level of the lower beings
2. Bwah – Level of the humans
3. Swah – Level of the Gods

Although it is the village community of Desa Pakraman Padangtegal which cares for and worships at the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, the ceremonies are open to all who wish to attend and who are prepared to follow the rules of dress and behavior set down by tradition (adat).

These ceremonies are of extreme importance and usually take place at least once a generation. Preparations began a year ahead with major renovation and refurbishment of the temple, all of which is financed by Desa Pakraman Padangtegal. The preparation of the offerings will begin three months ahead and involve four different hamlets: Padangtegal Kaja, Padangtegal Mekarsari, Padangtegal Kelod and Padang Kencana. These ceremonies are of great significance, not only for the people of the community involved, but for the whole world. The rituals involve adding symbols and offerings that will buried in the foundation of the temple, with the purpose of reviving and strengthening the spiritual energy emanating from the temple, and in the process harmonizing the entire universe.

This multi-faceted ceremony is being carried out to realign the world, which is currently out of balance; its axis is tilting, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wars and chaos.

The way to achieve realignment is mentioned in an old lontar palm text called Brahmawidhisastra, which derives from ancient Hindu scriptures. In Bali, the term “ceremony” or yadnya, means “asking for water”, which in this case, will ensure fertility and prosperity. It is hoped that the rituals being carried out will redress the problems faced today, and restore the earth to its proper balance. Subsequently, humans will become more humane and caring about each other and their environment.

The ritual aspects of the ceremony begin on July 2, 2010, the date determined by the Pedanda (Brahmana high priest). On this day, all materials required for the special offerings prescribed by the Pedanda, the Nuasen, will be collected and purified. In the course of the following months, all these offerings will be prepared with great care. Part of the ritual includes a procession carrying the Bagia, which is an enormous mountain-like offering, symbolizing the entire universe and all of its contents. All of the objects, creatures, elements, and features of the universe are represented in this gigantic offering. It includes, among other things, fruits, roots, metals, coins, thread, and much more. During this temple ceremony, the Bagia will be buried in a very big hole, beneath the foundations of the temple. The procession and planting of the Bagia represents the belief that everything belongs to the universe, and that ultimately everything returns to it.

Although the care of this temple and performance of its traditional rituals are the responsibility of Desa Pakraman Padangtegal, the people of other communities in the area have also contributed and supported by giving their time and skills. It is a shared effort, and it is important that everything is carried out correctly.

The ceremony is, of, and for, the Gods.  It lasts for eleven days, focusing on appeasing the Gods of the lakes, mountains and sea, to whom sacrifices will be made. The animals sacrificed will be reincarnated ot a higher level existence, closer to Nirwana. The western concepts of life and death play no part in these ceremonies. Understanding a belief in the infinity and continuity of life through the process of reincarnation should alleviate some of the unease that westerners feel when confronted with such practices. Try to see things from a Balinese perspective, not from your own cultural point of view. This is a Balinese ceremony. Please judge and experience it accordingly.

The timetable which follows sets out the ceremonial program and performances related to it. Please note that certain rituals are not open to visitors, and these have been marked accordingly in the program. The performances that take place during rituals are known as wali and are sacred. They are not intended as entertainment for spectators but are solemn rituals for Gods. However, there are many other performances related to the ceremony, these are known as balih-balihan and are high quality entertainment for all to enjoy.

Source : http://www.monkeyforestubud.com/grandceremony.html

View the Gallery : http://adhiwus.com/photos/karya-agung-padangtegal/

in The End of Bali Life

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Ngaben, or Cremation Ceremony, is the ritual performed in Bali to send the deceased to the next life. The body of the deceased will be placed as if sleeping, and the family will continue to treat the deceased as sleeping. No tears are shed, because the deceased is only temporarily not present and will reincarnate  or find his final rest in Moksha (freeing from the reincarnation and death cycle).

The proper day of the ceremony is always a matter of consulting a specialist on ceremony days. On the day of the ceremony, the body of the deceased is placed inside a coffin. This coffin is placed inside a sarcophagus resembling a buffalo (Lembu) or in a temple structure (Wadah) made of paper and wood. The buffalo or temple structure will be carried to the cremation site in a procession. The procession is not walking in a straight line. This is to confuse bad spirits and keep them away from the deceased.

The climax of Ngaben is the burning of the whole structure, together with the body of the deceased. The fire is necessary to free the spirit from the body and enable reincarnation.

Ngaben is not always immediately performed. For higher caste members it is normal to perform the ritual within 3 days. For lower caste members the deceased are buried first and later, often in a group ceremony for the whole village, cremated.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngaben

this photograph taken at Ubud – Bali.