Tanah Lot

December Highlights in Tanah Lot

December 7^th, Kajeng Kliwon Uwudan, a perfect moment to conduct physical and spiritual purification, to cleanse the mind, to heal sickness, to supernaturally get rid of evil elements in residential environs through specified ceremony or to wipe out the pest from agricultural fields. Kajeng Kliwon is such a sacred day that many Balinese decide to pay a visit to holy men: shamans or priests. In so doing they seek to acquire holy water, medication or instruction related to the development of psychic power. Some prefer going to the temples to pray, meditate or conduct ascetic practice to gain certain psychic power. Kajeng Kliwon is often associated with anything mystical and psychic in nature.

December 12^th, Budha Kliwon Ugu, is a reocccuring auspicious day to pray for protection and a long and healthy life. At this day, which is also known as the Sang Hyang Ayu or Sang Hyang Nirmala Jati cleansing day, the Balinese Hindus pray for protection of the household and the entire world including all creatures that inhabit it. The ceremony is performed at the kumulan shrine of the family temple and the plankiran (wall temple) of the bedroom. The following sesajen are offered, a canang reresik wangi-wangian, a canang yasa, kernbang pepayasan, pusapa harum, asap dupa astanggi. After finishing this ceremony one prays for protection of the household and the world with all its creatures in order to obtain an long and healthy life. After the prayers a final ceremony called metirtha gocara is performed with canang offerings and wangi-wangian, sweet smelling incense and flowers at the sangga of the family temple and the plankiran (wall temple) of the bedroom.

December 13^th, Tilem Sasih Kanem, On this day extra offerings are made around the family compound, as well as some offerings placed on the ground at the entrance to the house compound. The towering 'sesajen' offerings are also often taken to the village temple. Depending on the time of year, many temples then hold various forms of entertainment for the village - dancing, wayang puppet performances, arja plays - to coincide with the special prayers for Tilem.