Tabanan, Rainbow over Ricefields

Celebrating Çiwaratri by Reading Lontar

Çiwaratri celebrations, which as a holy contemplation day for Balinese Hindus, is conducted with gathered praying in each local temple. The praying activity entangling entire villagers is usually started in the afternoon till night. People who led the praying is a pemangku or holy person.
After praying, people read holy sentences on lontar (sacred book) during Çiwaratri night until the next morning in turn. However, not every person is able to read the lontar. Usually Lontar is read by sekaa santi, pemangku or the elder, makekawin.
At Pejaten Village, Kediri Sub district, Tabanan on Çiwaratri night, the villagers will pray in Pura Dalem of Pejaten Village. All villagers present conduct sesajen (offering). Praying activity that entangling all villagers usually started at 6 pm and led by a pemangku.
According to Ida Bagus Suartana (38) who lives in Pejaten sub village, Pejaten villagers are all very enthusiastic in doing this holy contemplation. Moreover, it’s told that Pejaten villagers who stay outside the village intentionally come home just for praying. “Some people stay awake until morning by singing holy songs, but rest of them only come for praying,” he explained.
Çiwaratri celebrations at Marga Dauh Puri Village is also started with praying together. This village, which consists of two sub villages namely Ole sub village and Kelaci sub village, starts the praying event from afternoon till night. According To I Wayan Wirka, a member of sekaa santi, people usually go home after praying. The night events are continued by makekawin, devotees stay awake until morning a kind of must for people who still follow this traditional ceremony procession.
The same activity also exists in Perean Kangin Village, Baturiti Sub district, Tabanan. On Çiwaratri night, Perean Kangin villagers pray at their each sub village temple collectively. Nevertheless, Chief Village of Perean Kangin remains to focus the gathered praying in one temple. The selected temple is Pura Desa located in Perean Kangin Village, because Perean Kangin has five sub villages, namely Anyar sub village, Basangbe sub village, Piun sub village, Leba sub village and Beluangan sub village. Çiwaratri celebrations are executed by rotation in each village. According to, Wayan Tusti, this year Çiwaratri celebrations will focus on Pura Desa in Anyar sub village. (BTN/015)