Tawur Agung Betara Turun Kabeh at Besakih Temple
23 March – 13 April 2016
Procession of Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony which falls annually on the full moon (tenth month of Balinese calendar) sasih Kedasa at Pura Besakih is an expression of gratitude to the God, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa for the blessings of safety, health and prosperity that has been transferred to all creatures in the world. Led by 32 priests, thousands of Hindu devotees from Bali and other places in Indonesia will flock to Besakih Temple to observe the ceremony.
Mount Agung in Karangasem regency in East Bali closed for hiking and other activities starting from March 12 through April 13 to make way for one of the most special Hindu rituals in Bali.
During the ceremony, Balinese Hindus will invite Ida Betara (deities) to descend to the Pura Besakih complex, which consists of temples Pura Kiduling Kerteg, Pura Ulun Kulkul and Pura Batu Madeg.
However, both foreign and domestic visitors are able to visit Pura Besakih to witness one of the most elaborate and important Hindu rituals.
A series of rituals were held at Pura Besakih prior to the Ida Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony, including the Tawur Agung Kesanga exorcism rite held on the black moon, or Tilem Caitra, of the ninth month in the Balinese calendar, and Tabuh (Tawur) Gentuh.
Ida Batara Turun Kabeh normally offers rituals at the ceremony, such as mapeselang and ayun widi.
The ceremony is usually started with Melasti, or the purification procession for ritual paraphernalia. The destination of Melasti is selected at a nearby source of holy water, Tegal Suci 14 km south of Besakih Temple.
Another prestigious ceremony, called Ngusaba Kadasa, will be held at Pura Batur in Kintamani, Bangli regency on the same night of the full moon, the ceremony has same meaning symbolizes the peoples’s desire to be free from the shackles of darkness, including the darkness of the mind.
Interested in experiencing this rare event and its cultural highlights in Bali? Don’t worry it last until 13 April, or if you missed out this year’s. Next year’s Betara Turun Kabeh will fall on April 11, 2017. The following years’ Betara Turun Kabeh are March 31, 2018; March 21, 2019 and April 7, 2020.
Contact us for more details.
Images; Pura Agung Besakih, Facebook