Crossroad is one of many revered and feared spot in Bali. offering are given to the spirits who dwell on that crossroad sometimes a statue is erected as a symbolization to honor the spirit in that place and as a guardian to ensure the safety of passing people.

The main crossroad in any Balinese village becomes the center of the village, the central point for community activities and ceremonial events. Palace, market and village temple are build around the crossroad since the intersection is an open space where the four cardinals points meet so it is easy to be reached from all parts of the village.

(more…)

Exactly 3 days before the celebration of Nyepi, most of the Balinese Hindus would carry out the “Melasti” procession as one of the series of rituals before the ultimate celebration of the Saka New Year. Through morning to sunset, the Hindus will flock on the beaches in all over Bali to purify the “pratima” (sacred object to symbolize God).

According to Drs.I Ketut Wiana, one of the Balinese Hindu figure, Melasti has a very deep substance, not only to purify the “pratima” or other sacred symbols. He said that in “Aji Swamandala” manuscript, it was mentioned that Melasti is also aimed to wash away the ”laraning jagat” (world’s pain), to cash away the “papa klesa” (sadness) and to clean up the “letuhing bhuwana” (world’s dirt), while in “Sunargama” manuscript, it was mentioned that Melasti is aimed to pick up the nucleus of live in the sea, through the ritual.

Melasti on Purnama Beach, Sukawati Gianyar
Date: Sunday, 26th March 2006

(more…)

An Ogoh Ogoh is made from a wood frame with bamboo strips intricately weaved to form the body which is then covered with papier mache.

(more…)