Melukat: a purification ceremony in Bali

A pemangki, Balinese priest.

::: Melukat: a purification ceremony in Bali :::

In Balinese culture, the melukat ceremony is an ancestral ritual that protects a person from the forces of evil. Water is a key feature of the sanctuaries, helping to purify the heart and mind.

A few minutes away from The Apurva Kempinski Bali, a tiny hidden creek initiates respectful travellers to the benefits of a purification ceremony. These few minutes in distance are like a journey to another time. Modernity gives way to ancestral wisdom, nature holds sway and the place imbues you with its sweet serenity. This little creek has no need of authorisation or a protective door: its secret location is enough to protect it from hurried tourists.

You are welcomed by two pemangku, or Balinese priests. Their craggy faces radiate kindliness. You immediately feel an overflowing inner peace, which they offer with obvious simplicity – the simplicity of the sage. Above them, a representation of Shiva and a statue of Ganesh watch over the deep spirituality of the place. The Melukat ceremony can begin. The term Melukat derives from the Javanese word lukat which means 'to purify'.

This simple ritual is believed to protect a person from attacks by negative forces and demonic influences. The session is preceded by meditation, to help prepare the mind to receive the blessings and let go of unfavourable forces in the mind. For the Balinese, Melukat is part of a tradition that keeps one grounded and connected to one's true inner self. The central focus in Melukat is on the main chakra points. The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit word for wheel. A chakra is a spinning energy centre, of which there are many spread throughout the body, forming an energy flow system. There are seven major chakra points corresponding to specific facets of a person, and when a blockage occurs, their energy system is affected. Melukat is a ritual led by a pemangku and held at a shrine or on a beach. Water is the main medium used by the pemangku to conduct the ritual and help cleanse the person's physical, emotional and spiritual state. As a final step, coconut milk is drunk to freshen the body and purge it of toxins.

The Geger temple is an old sacred temple in Nusa Dua, Bali, dedicated to the worship of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi. It is a holy place for prayer and for invoking fertility, safety and peace.

AWAKENING THE CHAKRA SPIRIT

A KEMPINSKI DISCOVERY Local Experience at The Apurva Kempinski Bali.

Awakening the Chakra Spirit consists of a 30-minute chakra yoga and chakra meditation session at the beach-front lawn, followed by a purification ritual (Melukat) at the nearby Geger Temple.

Find out more at kempinski.com/bali