Archive for August 16th, 2006
The turtle or tortoise is itself a sacred animal for Balinese Hindus, since it represents the Kurma Avatar or Bedawang Nala (Wisnu’s incarnation as a giant turtle supporting the world). Thus, sea turtles are valued as sustainers of life on earth. With the help of Acharya Dwijendra Agni Homa (a local prayer community lead by Ida Pedanda Gde Bang Buruan), WWF was able to collect signatures of 30 Hindu high priests and 25 traditional leaders that support turtle conservation in Bali. In the light of this extensive support, the Indonesian Hindu High School (Parisadha Hindu Dharma Indonesia) finally declared that the use of sea turtles in offerings is not obligatory and that Hindu people should respect and follow the sea turtle protection law.
Ever since turtle conservation came to prominence in Bali in 1990s, questions have been raised about the role of the Hindu religion in the exploitation of this endangered species. Amongst the most frequently asked questions are why is turtle meat needed as offerings during the religious ceremonies, and why Hindu priests in Bali do not appear to have taken any action to help with conservation of turtles.
Since its creation in 1996, WWF Indonesia Bali Office has worked to come up with answers to these questions, and to show that far from being against conservation, conserving nature is in fact an integral part of the Hindu religion.
However, in 1998, after two years of work with some traditional turtle consumer villages (including the trade market Tanjung Benoa), WWF Bali organized a meeting with traditional village leaders, two Hindu high Priests (Ida Pedanda Gde Ngurah Kaleran and Ida Pedanda Subali Tianyar Arimbawa) and Hindu Theologist (I made Titib and Ketut Wiana) in Bali.
The meeting concluded that the Veda (Hindu’s holy script) did not actually specify any obligation to use turtle meat for offerings, nor for traditional fiestas that usually accompany religious events. For this reason, the Priests and Hindu Theologists urged the Balinese to reduce their consumption of turtle meat.
According to the priests, there are only a few Hindu ceremonies that use a turtle head as a part of the offering, symbolizing the base of the world. This can be replaced with symbols such as a drawing of a turtle or a turtle-shaped rice cake.
Source : bali-online.com
August 16th, 2006
Bali offers not just various customs but also various “adrenalin pump” parks. Many exciting amusements are available in Bali, with something new opening all time. The number of offshore and inland attraction are on the rise because many tourists want them. After white water rafting that has gained popularity in Bali, comes offshore rafting or ocean rafting. The more adventurous sort of amusement has now become an alternative sport for tourists.
Just try it. Your heart will beat faster, especially when your boat hits two meter-high waves at high speed but even so, just like any other adventure sport, safety is the first priority. Meanwhile white water rafting is still a popular activity with trips on the Ayung, Telaga Waja, Unda rivers, etc. You can refresh your mind by watching beautiful scenery along the route.
If you do not want to push your heart so hard, paradigling is a good choice and an exciting way to see Bali from the air. If wind conditions are right, you can view Bali from a very different perspective. If you are a beginner, a professional instructor will accompany you to ride in tandem. So, there is nothing to worry about.
For people with strong confidence and no heart problems, a must is bungy jumping and slingshot. Slingshot will shoot you up skyward so you can feel like a bullet. Bungy jumping offers you a chance to take the plunge. You can choose your view, wanna Kuta’s view (in Kuta) or natural waterfal’s view in Gianyar.
For your entire family, Waterbom Park is an excellent day out for adult and children. It offers five different water slides and a lazy river. You can relax by the pool that has underwater music and swim-to bar.
If you want to experience “war in paradise” Fantasy Bali Splat Mas-Jungle Skirmish is the place for you. It is a war game, where the point is to capture your opposing team’s flag and kill the enemy with paintballs.
Source : www.indo.com/indonesia
August 16th, 2006
DENPASAR (indo.com): These first four days of the new Pawukon cycle are most enthusiastically celebrated in North Bali, where the tall decorated bamboo poles known as penjors are erected throughout villages just as they are for Galungan. Special offerings are given to the uncremated dead in the cemeteries, and celebrations held in every house and temple compound.
The climax of these four days - February 13 - is known as Pagerwesi. The name is derived from the words ‘pager’ and ‘wesi’, meaning ‘fence’ and ‘iron’ respecitvely. The name ‘iron fence’ suggests that one should protect oneself with a strong barrier against the forces of evil.
Pagerwesi day is also a day upon which an ancient battle between good and evil is celebrated. The three days preceding Pagerwesi have special names and are for special activities. Sunday, the first day of Pawukon is called “Banyu Pinaruh”. Many people who live near the sea go to the beach at dawn and symbolically purify themselves by bathing.
This is a special day for fishermen, who make offerings for their boats and nets. Monday is called Soma Ribek, a day that is not widely celebrated. Tuesday is Sabuh Emas, when one is supposed to make offerings for jewelry, especially that of gold and for the Chinese coins that are often used in many kinds of offerings.
Pagerwesi Day falls twice a year, as do other Balinese Hindu celebrations such as temple anniversaries, Galungan & Kuningan day, Saraswati, Otonan (Balinese birthday celebration) and many others are also based on the Pawukon.
August 16th, 2006