Purnama, or full moon in Bali is always a special day for ceremonies and festivities. Hundreds of temples all over the island celebrate their anniversary on a specific full moon each year. Since full moon is also considered as an auspicious day, hundreds of ceremonies are held in all corner of the island on this sacred day. When a holiday such as Galungan is happen together with the purnama, the scale of the festivity and ceremony of this holyday is doubled, with more offerings and decoration than a Galungan without purnama.

Balinese believe purnama is a propitious day when God descends to the earth and gives His blessing. Balinese make special offering to the God in this holyday, give alms, reciting religious hymn, or set a pilgrimage to a remote temple, but for teenagers, the Jagatnatha Temple in the heart of Denpasar is the only destination. Balinese also believe that purnama is the best time for making good deeds or doing religious activities since the reward of them will be multiplied by 100.

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Every two years, special ritual happens on fourth full moon (Purnama Kapat, October 7, 2006); One day before full moon, Pilgrims from four villages (Bebandem, Ngis, Bugbug and Jasi) go up to Gumang Hill, where the temple lies on the top. It is about 400 hundred meters high from sea level and four kilometers to the east of Candi Dasa.

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The picture is taken from the bridge that links Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Bakung Temple is well known in the past, caused by “Odalan” of the temple on “Purnama Kapat”. There will be a lot of people from mainland attend “Tajen” (cock fighting). Nowadays Tajen is strictly held for ritual only called “Tabuh Rah”.

Editor’s Note
See map of Nusa Lembongan.