The Pedudusan Karya Agung ceremony, currently taking place at Ubud Village Temple (Pura Desa Ubud) is a significant Balinese ritual. Held approximately every 20-30 years, this event returns to Ubud after a 27 years. Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa, a prominent Ubud Royal family member, explains that the ceremony is a Dewa Yadnya, an offering to the Gods, aimed at purifying both humans and the environment. It embodies the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, which seeks harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. This sacred event promotes safety and universal unity. The ceremony's peak, known as Adining Karya, took place today November 10, marking a momentous occasion for the Ubud community (and our team!)
Museums are the new runways ๐ธ๐
_________
Museum2 adalah catwalk baru ๐ธ๐
Weโre still buzzing from our ๐๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ with the historian Sugi Lanus during the Ubud Writers Festival. Thank you to everyone who joined us which included many familiar faces! We explored Pejeng's ancient paths, uncovering Bali's pre-Majapahit past through its fascinating artifacts. We hope this experience showed that history lives not just in books, but in everything around us!
_________
Kami masih merasakan semangat dari ๐๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ bersama sejarawan Sugi Lanus selama Ubud Writers Festival. Terima kasih kepada semua yang telah ikut serta, banyak wajah yang sudah familiar di dalamnya! Kami menjelajahi jalur kuno Pejeng, mengungkap masa pra-Majapahit Bali melalui artefak-artefak yang memukau. Kami berharap pengalaman ini menunjukkan bahwa sejarah tidak hanya hidup dalam buku, tetapi juga dalam segala hal di sekitar kita!
๐พ In Balinese prayer rituals, bija (or wija in Sanskrit) holds a sacred place. This blessed rice, given by priests after prayers, symbolizes purity and represents Kumara, the son of God Shiva. The preparation involves washing the rice with water, sandalwood, or turmeric. During the ritual, bija is applied to three key areas: between the eyebrows, on the throat, and is also consumed. This threefold application, using three whole grains at each point, is believed to purify one's thoughts, actions, and speech.
The practice of receiving bija is deeply spiritual, connecting worshippers with their inner divinity. It serves as a powerful reminder of the divine presence within each individual, fostering purity in mind, body, and spirit.
_________
๐พ Dalam ritual persembahyangan agama hindu di Bali, bija (atau wija dalam bahasa Sansekerta) memiliki peran sakral. Beras yang telah diberkahi ini, diberikan oleh para pendeta/pemangku setelah sembahyang, melambangkan kesucian dan mewakili Kumara, putra Dewa Siwa. Persiapannya meliputi pencucian beras dengan air, kayu cendana, atau kunyit. Setelah sembahyang bija ditempatkan di antara alis, di tenggorokan, dan juga dikonsumsi. Penempatan bija dengan menggunakan tiga bulir beras utuh, diyakini dapat memurnikan pikiran, tindakan, dan ucapan seseorang.
Penggunaan bija sebagai bentuk pemberkatan setelah sembahyang berfungsi sebagai pengingat yang kuat akan kehadiran Tuhan dalam diri setiap individu, menumbuhkan kemurnian dalam pikiran, tubuh, dan jiwa.
Nguopin and ngayah are interconnected Balinese traditions of communal service. Nguopin involves mutual assistance in various social contexts, both religious and non-religious, like helping neighbors with construction or harvests. Ngayah specifically refers to voluntary service in religious or temple-related activities.
These practices, passed down through generations, are particularly upheld by Balinese women who prepare ceremonial necessities, create offerings, serve guests, and participate in processions. Nguopin is informal and based on social reciprocity, while ngayah is a spiritual duty with participants wearing white or yellow attire.
Both traditions embody the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, emphasizing harmony in social relationships and spiritual practices. They foster social cohesion, strengthen community bonds, and reflect core Balinese values of community support and selfless service. Those who rarely participate may face social consequences, potentially being ostracized.
_________
Nguopin dan ngayah adalah tradisi Bali yang saling terkait dalam bentuk pelayanan komunal. Nguopin melibatkan bantuan timbal balik dalam berbagai konteks sosial, baik yang bersifat religius maupun non-religius, seperti membantu tetangga dalam membangun rumah atau panen. Ngayah secara khusus merujuk pada pelayanan sukarela dalam kegiatan keagamaan atau terkait dengan pura.
Tradisi ini diturunkan dari generasi ke generasi dan dijaga khususnya oleh perempuan Bali yang menyiapkan kebutuhan upacara, membuat sesajen, melayani tamu, dan berpartisipasi dalam prosesi. Nguopin bersifat informal dan didasarkan pada saling bantu sosial, sedangkan ngayah merupakan kewajiban spiritual di mana para peserta mengenakan pakaian putih atau kuning.
Kedua tradisi ini mencerminkan filosofi Bali, yaitu Tri Hita Karana, yang menekankan harmoni dalam hubungan sosial dan praktik spiritual. Tradisi ini memperkuat kohesi sosial, mempererat ikatan masyarakat, dan mencerminkan nilai-nilai inti
Legong: Dance of the Virgins was filmed over the course of three months in 1933 and premiered in New York City on October 1, 1935, to positive reviews from critics. The film remained in theaters for two weeks after its initial release, partly due to the bare-breasted actresses, which attracted viewers. American censorship at the time was more lenient with nudity in films perceived as cultural studies, especially when the women were non-white.
In 1999, the film was restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive and released on DVD in 2004. In this version, much of the nudity was removed in the US, and cockfighting scenes were cut in the UK. The release also included an alternative soundtrack composed by Richard Marriott and I Made Subandi, performed by Gamelan Sekar Jaya and Club Foot Orchestra, blending Balinese and Western music. The full version of the film can also be found on YouTube.
_________
Legong: Dance of the Virgins difilmkan selama kurun waktu tiga bulan pada tahun 1933 dan ditayangkan perdana di New York City pada 1 Oktober 1935. Film ini mendapatkan ulasan positif dari para kritikus dan tetap tayang di bioskop selama dua minggu setelah perilisan awal, sebagian karena para aktris yang tampil bertelanjang dada, yang menarik perhatian penonton. Sensor Amerika pada saat itu lebih longgar terhadap ketelanjangan dalam film yang dianggap sebagai studi budaya, terutama jika perempuan yang tampil bukan dari ras kulit putih.
Pada tahun 1999, film ini direstorasi oleh UCLA Film and Television Archive dan dirilis dalam bentuk DVD pada tahun 2004. Dalam versi ini, sebagian besar adegan ketelanjangan dihapus di AS, dan adegan adu ayam dihapus di Inggris. Versi ini juga menyertakan soundtrack alternatif yang digubah oleh Richard Marriott dan I Made Subandi, dibawakan oleh Gamelan Sekar Jaya dan Club Foot Orchestra, menggabungkan musik Bali dan Barat. Versi lengkap film ini juga dapat ditemukan di YouTube.
๐Why visit Pejeng?๐
This ancient village, often overshadowed by Ubud, is a must-see for history enthusiasts.
Our ๐๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ offers an escape from the crowds, immersing you in the heart of some of Baliโs oldest temples. Marvel at the impressive artifacts and ancient statues, including Southeast Asiaโs largest bronze kettle drum. As you explore sacred courtyards, your guide will share how locals intertwined their beliefs with these powerful artifacts.
Make time for Pejeng on your Bali tripโyou wonโt regret it!
_________
๐Mengapa Anda harus mengunjungi Pejeng?๐
Salah satu desa tertua ini, yang sering kurang dikenal dibandingkan Ubud, wajib dikunjungi bagi pecinta sejarah.
Tur ๐๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ kami menawarkan pengalaman yang tenang, jauh dari keramaian, dan mengajak Anda menjelajahi beberapa pura tertua di Bali. Di sini, Anda bisa melihat artefak dan patung-patung kuno, termasuk nekars terbesar di Asia Tenggara. Selama tur, pemandu kami akan menjelaskan bagaimana masyarakat setempat menghubungkan kepercayaan dan mitos mereka dengan artefak-artefak ini.
๐ดโจRahajeng Rahina Galungan! ๐ดโจ
Galungan morning in Bali is a time of community and tradition. One of our favorite activities is to walk through the neighborhood streets, on the lookout for beautifully woven lamak adorning homes and temples in Ubud while waving to our neighbors as they make their way to the village temple for prayers.
_________
๐ดโจRahajeng Rahina Galungan! ๐ดโจ
Pagi Galungan di Bali adalah waktu untuk kebersamaan dan tradisi. Salah satu kegiatan favorit kami adalah berjalan di lingkungan sekitar, mencari lamak yang dengan indah menghiasi rumah-rumah dan pura-pura di Ubud, sambil melambaikan tangan kepada tetangga yang sedang menuju ke pura desa untuk berdoa.
