April 10 – 25, 2006
Desa Adat Batur Kecamatan Kintamani

Pura Ulun Danu Batur’s odalan is on full moon April 12, 2006 (Purnama Kedasa); it uses lunar calendar instead Wuku (cycle of 210 days). The ceremony has already started on April 10, 2006 and will end April 25. There are almost every where in Bali odalan on this auspicious day including Bhatara Turun Kabeh in Mother Temple Besakih.

If you drive to Singaraja through Batur/Kintamani then you, for sure, find traffic jam. It is a pack; people all over Bali come to pray. It is not only prayer but also villages near by Batur also take a part – Sebatu, Beyunggede and Buahan.

A long Jalan Raya Batur, both side of the street seen Penjor. Each household created nice one. It is more elaborate, the entrance of clan or family temple. People set up warung or sell drinks, food and kid toy on the pavement.

It is about afternoon, the peak ceremony Mepada is prepared. One man uses loud speaker that arranges the line. Mepada starts from middle court yard of temple to the main street. First, the parade goes to south, returns to the north and back to the temple. Along the street, a lot of people are watching this parade; it is very alive and colorful and a lot of music. Every group, they prepare special parade and music and one other is totally different.

After Mepada, in middle court yard performed the most sacred dance Baris Gede and Baris Dadap, Rejang and other dances.

Before Mepada at inner courtyard of temple, Selonding which is ancient and sacred music performed. Selonding can be also found in Tenganan and Bongaya.

Meanwhile, prayers continue coming. Surprisingly, there one a western family is wearing Balinese cloth and brings offering and they go to inner court yard of temple for praying. And this family do just like what Balinese does. More interestingly, when the parade takes place, we see two western men participate – they hold tombak (spears) in the front line.

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