SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Indonesia was never short on ethnicities that honor water. Water did not only serve to quench thirst, as many civilizations emerged near water sources such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Humans used to be nomads. If they decided to settle down, they would take water source into account. Those who stayed in one place built a civilization and created kingdoms.

The Balinese did the exact same thing. Water had an important meaning for life. They honored water (tirta), long before the Dutch entered Nusantara and ruled Bali. Hinduism in Bali was once called "Tirta", referring to how they honored water.

The Balinese's rituals highly involved water, from birth to death. Water represented purity, making it important in Balinese rituals.

"Every ritual, from birth to death, needed water," said Desak Nyoman Seniwati and I Gusti Ayu Ngurah in their Vidya Wertta Journal piece titled "Tradisi Melukat Pada Kehidupan Psiko-Spiritual Masyarakat Bali" (2020).

It was proven by the high count of water source that were considered sacred in Bali. The process of searching for sacred water was called "Tirtayatra", with "Tirta" being water and "Yatra" being footprint. The word roughly translates to "a spiritual quest for water".

"The Balinese define themselves through active and sacred quest for (sacred) water. With that in mind, we can understand why Balinese ceremonies mainly take place at the Batur Temple in the Kintamani Lake area, Bangli," said Cultural Practitioner Taufik Rahzen, cited by Muhidin M. Dahlan in the book "Para Penggila Buku" (2009).

The quest makes religious ceremonies in Bali carried out mostly in temples near lakes and oceans, such as Ulun Danu Temple, Tanah Lot Temple, and more. The prayers in the water purification tradition varies.

The prayers focuses on how water symbolized life. The most common ritual is ritual on seawater, which includes "melasti", "ngodalin", "mlapas", and "ngebejiang".

The Importance of "Melukat"

"Melukat" is a popular part of the "tirtayatra" procession, and is derived from "Sulukat", with "Su" meaning "good" and "Lukat" meaning "cleansing" or "purification". "Melukat" is a procession to purify the mind and body.

The procession has been carried out from generation to generation of Balinese Hindus. It is incorporated in the human mind as the smallest universe (bhuwana alit) and the general universe (Bhuwana agung).

Melukat is a ritual where one bathes in sacred water, led by those who have the titles "ekajati" (panandita) and "dwijati" (pandita), who carry the torch ofpurity.

Their blessing and prayers are vital in the ritual, which releases people from trauma and unfortunate past. Those who are affected by black magic are even obliged to carry out "melukat".

The Hindus believe everything magical will be gone at the touch of "tirta" (water). This tradition is mandatory for the Hindus. This type of "healing" made them a new person ready to take on life.

"The goal of "melukat" lies in the cleansing of mind and body. For the Hindus, this ritual is an obligation," said Bali Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia Head Nyoman Kenak, cited by Made Argawa in the Tempo article titled "Basuh Diri Bersihkan Jiwa" on June 25, 2022.

The belief on the benefits of "melukat" continues growing. The old beliefs make "melukat" timeless. The ritual is believed to increase the positive energy. Those who carry out the "melukat" ritual are expected to feel at peace.

The "melukat" tradition, which is an obligation for the Hindus, becomes popular, even among those from different beliefs. They are allowed to carry out "melukat". The difference lies in the prayers, as those from different beliefs pray according to what they believe.