On Wednesday (25/3/09) the peak of grand Panca Bali Krama ceremony was conducted on Bencingah (meeting sqaure) of Besakih Temple. The ceremony was conducted on the enclosed holy venue in the middle of the bancingah where only committees, highpriests, distinguished guests and journalists with special ID card were allowed to enter. While the pilgrims were sit around the holy enclosed area.

This once-every-ten-year ceremony was initiated by the incatation of sacred mantra by 22 high priests which stationed inside the holy venue (15 priests) and in Penataran Agung Temple (7 priests). The ceremony was continued with Panglukatan Bhakti (purifying the offering) rituals by walking around the offerings accompanied by the sound of sacred instruments (conch shell, bells, small drums) which are believed to have magical power to summon the evil spirits to the venue of the ceremony so they can be purified by the ceremony.

After the Penglukatan Bhakti ritual, the next ritual was Nyarub (mixing) ritual in which the offerings which were placed on every point of compass were mixed in the center of the holy venue which was decorated with sacred symbols made of white chalk. After all the offerings were mixed, then the mixture (ajengan tawur) was distributed to the pilgrims. Balinese believe this mixture can bring good luck and prosperity.

The grand Panca Bali Krama ceremony was concluded with communal praying 13 times which symbolized the purification of 13 directions of universe.

This grand ceremony also highlighted with the performance of sacred dance such as Topeng Sidakarya (Enabler of Success Masked Dance which is obligatory in a big ceremony to ensure the success of a ceremony), Rejang Dewa which functions to greet the deities which descend to the earth) and Baris dance which represents the activities of soldiers.

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