Traditional Activities at Jagatnatha

How amazing it was. Backdrop of Jagatnatha Temple, east side of Puputan Badung Square that at all times thronged by passers-by, Saturday (11/12) was conjured up into a venue of Balinese customary activities. Its atmosphere was just like masuka-duka (literally joy-sorrow) namely a traditional socio-religious activity of the Hindus in Bali. In Balinese traditional costume, they performed a variety of activities like making canang sari (simple offerings), Balinese traditional cuisine, flower arrangements and duet fashion show by aged models.
The activity was organized by Motivating Team of Family Welfare Empowerment (MT-FWE) of Denpasar Municipality in relation to the celebration of Movement Unity Day of FWE that associated with Family Planning-Health Day, Mother’s Day and National Social Solidarity Day.
A fascination that drew most attention of spectators on the happening was fashion show competition of prayer-costume to temple by duet-aged models. As if the models of over 60 years old had not been left behind by younger and professional models. Those duet-aged models tried their best to look as attractively as possible. Some models were swaying just like a lively dancer that made the spectators laugh.
In the meantime, in the vicinity of Museum Bali and Jagatnatha Temple, hundreds of participants of vocational competition in colourful Balinese costume looked so absorbing in making the arrangement of young coconut leaf, assorted flowers and cooking Balinese food. At that time, visitors really obtained fresh entertainment that rarely happened.
Motivating Team Leader of FWE of Denpasar Municipality, Mrs. Bintang Puspayoga said that the competition was intended to inspire young generation and families in Denpasar City to remain learning and maintaining their traditional culture.
The activity was also jazzed up with several other competitions like twisting satay followed by 17 senior high school students, ngerames (preparing food ingredients) and making lawar by 22 sekaa tarunas (customary village youth club), fashion show of prayer-costume to temple by duet-aged models by 20 aged people, arranging young coconut leaf for wedding reception by 31 participants, making and arranging prayascitta offerings by 32 hamlets throughout Denpasar and making canang sari by 60 elementary school students.(BTN/015)