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| Photo courtesy of my.opera.com |
Ciwaratri is a holy day to implement a worship to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God in Balinese) in His manifestation as Sang Hyang Siwa. Siwaratri Day has special meanings to Bali Hindus, because on that day believed Sang Hyang Siwa are doing yoga meditation. So that, the Bali Hindus doing an activities that lead to self-purification, concentration ahead Sang Hyang Siwa, in an effort to find "self-awareness". Siwaratri Day come once a year of Balinese calender.
In Hindu literature that is shot Lubdhaka (by Mpu (master) Tantular) mentioned about the implementation Ciwaratri day. Implementation Ciwaratri day begins with cleansing the body by bathing in the morning. After doing morning pray, then proceed to do the fast. In the evening continue to do samadhi/yoga and stay awake all night long by calming your mind or read the scriptures.
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Keris, is symbol of sharp-pointed
life's weapon |
Tumpek Landep is a holy day to worship Hyang Pasupati - the manifestation of God who confer the life to sentient beings and weapons of human life. Therefore, when Tumpek Landep, the pointed or sharp weapons such as keris are offerings - as people's act of devotion to God who have confer the weapons or equipment that facilitate human life.
Its a holy day that is still connected with the Science holy day, Saraswati day. When the human being gain knowledge and celebrate it on Saraswati day, now it the time to sharpen the mind and use as appropriate.
Pagerwesi is celebrated in the connection of Saraswati day. Pagerwesi are held on Buda (Wednesday) Kliwon Sinta.There are a lot of cultural celebrations in Bali. This ceremonial event makes Bali a unique place. The cultural atmosphere in Bali will not even disturb you. The Balinese will kindly show you if there were any celebration you might want to watch. One of those unique cultural events is “Pagerwesi”. There will be the Pagerwesi celebration in Bali every 6 months.
Balinese brought banten (offering) as their gift to God on Pagerwesi celebration. Banten also called sesajen. In this particular day, every institution including government office, school and other public and private business are not doing business. It is a holiday.
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| Dewi Saraswati Statue |
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The learned and the erudite attach greater importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati. Hindus celebrate this festival with great fervor in temples, homes and educational institutes alike.
NYEPI is Balinese word means Silence. Nyepi day is one of Balinese Holiday to mark of Hindu's New Year, its commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka, new year) according to Bali's calendar (in 2011, it will be on March 5th). It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New year Gudi Padva in and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in India.
