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| melasti |
Melasti is one of the
Hindu religious ceremonies performed in Bali in preparation for
Nyepi Day. This ceremony takes place a few days before
Nyepi, where Hindus cleanse the dirt and sins committed throughout the year.
In the Melasti ceremony, Balinese Hindus gather on a sacred beach, river or lake. There, they clean all the objects considered sacred and important in daily life, such as statues, writings, and gamelan. In addition, they also bathe in holy water and offer bread to the gods.
Melasti History in Bali
Melasti comes from the word "Mala" which means dirt and "Asti" which means to remove. Therefore, Melasti can be interpreted as a ceremony to remove pollution both physically and mentally. Significance of melasti
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| melasti |
Melasti has a very important meaning for the Balinese Hindu community. This ceremony is seen as an opportunity to cleanse oneself of sins committed during the year and also to prepare for Nyepi Day, which is sacred and no activity is allowed.
In addition, Melasti is also seen as an opportunity to strengthen relations between members of the Hindu community and to preserve the purity and sanctity of the surrounding environment. In the Melasti ceremony, Balinese Hindus clean and take care of sacred objects such as statues, scriptures and gamelans. It also reflects respect and appreciation of their ancestors and traditions.
Implementation of Melasti
Melasti ceremonies are performed in places considered sacred, such as beaches, rivers or lakes. These places were chosen because they are considered symbols of pure holy water and have mystical powers. In addition, it is believed that the water in these places is able to cleanse all human sins and pollution.
On the day of the Melasti ceremony, Balinese Hindus usually dress in kebaja or traditional clothes and bring gifts consisting of various fruits and foods. They also bring sacred images and scriptures for cleaning and maintenance.
After reaching the goal, the ceremony begins with the offering and throwing the statues into the water. Participants then bathe in holy water and pray. Afterwards, they clean the sacred objects brought from their homes by bathing them in holy water.
After cleaning the sacred objects, the imported bow is burned as an offering to the gods. After that, the Melasti ceremony ends with a joint prayer and chanting of sacred mantras.
Melasti as cultural tourism in Bali
With the growing interest of tourists to learn about local culture and traditions, Melasti has also become one of the interesting cultural sights in Bali. Tourists can witness the Melasti ceremony live at several places in Bali, such as Sanur Beach and Kuta Beach.
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| melasti in kuta beach |
However, as a tourist, we must also respect the religious ceremonies performed by the Balinese Hindu community. We should appreciate and respect the rituals performed and maintain a polite attitude during the event.
Furthermore, respecting the local culture and traditions, we must not damage the surrounding environment or bring objects considered inappropriate to the Melasti ceremony.
Summary
Melasti is one of the Hindu religious ceremonies held in Bali in preparation for Nyepi Day. This ceremony is considered very important to the Balinese Hindu community because it is seen as an opportunity to cleanse oneself of the sins committed throughout the year and prepare for Nyepi Day.
Melasti ceremonies are performed in sacred places such as beaches, rivers or lakes. These places were chosen because they are considered symbols of pure holy water and have mystical powers.
With the growing interest of tourists to learn about the local culture and traditions, the Mela has become one of the most interesting cultural attractions in Bali. But as a tourist, we must also respect the religious ceremonies performed by the Balinese Hindu community and maintain a respectful attitude.
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