Tag Archive for: religion

RELIGIOUS HARMONY IN WEST BALI

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West Bali is known not only for its beautiful landscapes and tranquil beaches, but also for the harmony among its diverse communities. In this peaceful region, different cultures and religions live side by side with mutual respect and understanding. Last week, this spirit of togetherness was visible as Ramadan and Chinese New Year were celebrated close to one another. In Jembrana, Confucian and Buddhist communities gathered at temples such as TITD Cung Ling Bio in Negara to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The temple was decorated in red and gold, and visitors — regardless of faith — came to offer greetings and share in the joy. Angpao and mandarin oranges were distributed as symbols of blessing and prosperity. At the same time, the Muslim community began observing Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. In the evenings, families gather for iftar, and neighbors of different backgrounds often show their support by sharing food and warm wishes. Harmony in West Bali also includes the Hindu majority, whose daily offerings, temple ceremonies, and traditions form the spiritual rhythm of the island. It is common to see mosques, temples, and shrines standing within the same neighborhoods, reflecting peaceful coexistence. In Jembrana, diversity is not only acknowledged — it is embraced as a natural and beautiful part of everyday life.

CELEBRATION OF SARASWATI AT DAJUMA ON MAY 11th

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Saraswati Day is held in honor of Saraswati who is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning. The goddess Saraswati is depicted as a beautiful four-armed woman, playing a wina (guitar) and holding up scriptures, often seated on a white lotus. Saraswati Day is held every 210 days (base on Balinese Pawukon Calendar). All Balinese will celebrate this day at home and in the temple, but it will be very special for the children and students. A special ceremony is held in the school temple and all the students come with their offerings and wearing the beautiful Balinese Dress. They pray together with the teacher and, at the end of the ceremony, they get holy water from the priest to be used at home for their books.
Should you like to participate in the next Saraswati celebrations, here are the upcoming dates in Bali: December 7th, 2019 & July 4th, 2020.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY AT RAMBUT SIWI TEMPLE

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Located a few kilometers from Dajuma is the famous and holy Rambut Siwi Temple. A major religious ceremony coinciding with the full moon took place there for 5 days, from July 5th to 9th. It is regularly held every six months, the participants coming from all around Bali to pray and ask the Gods to always protect the island from all kinds of natural disasters. The next ceremony will be held from January 31st 2018 and you are most welcome to participate in.
On the picture is the main temple called “Pura Luhur Rambut Siwi”. “Luhur” means high, major. Usually, this temple is the last to be honoured  after praying in other temples in Rambut Siwi Area.

SARASWATI CELEBRATION

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Last Saturday, the Balinese people celebrated Dewi Saraswati, the Godness for science, knowledge, arts and wisdom. The day before, they did a mental preparation while cleaning and rearranging their books because, on Saraswati day, the books are blessed and the Balinese people prepares the offerings for the « vedas », the holy Hindou books.
Work and knowledge are celebrated in the schools in the morning, then in the offices during the afternoon.
Not before the evening are the people  allowed to read some religious books in the temples.
The day after was devoted to praying and libation in the temples, the beach, the rivers and springs which symbolise the flowing knowledge for the humans….
So that every one can begin a new cycle of 210 days, purified and wise….
On the picture, visible from the entrance of Puri Dajuma, the Saraswati statue is part of the the Gold Suite decoration.

Metatah Ceremony

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In the Hindu religion there are 5 great elements belonging to Mother Nature: earth, water, air, fire and space. The humankind being part of it, each of these powers must be strongly linked to the humans, our bones to the earth, our blood to the water, our energy to the air, our body temperature to the fire and all of the orifices of the human body to the space.
An important ceremony called Metatah in Bali consists in filing the teeth of boys and girls reaching the adult’s age. This small sacrifice is a purification exercise aimed at reinforcing the link between humans and the earth.
On the picture Gusti Ayu Meggy Andari from our staff’ families, just went through this important event, unique in her adults’ life. Our sincere congratulations!