Balinese Held "Banyupinaruh" Ritual

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Many people gathered at the Sanur Beach, Denpasar, to perform the "Banyupinaruh" ritual, which is held one day after Saraswati Day.

"We came here to celebrate "Banyupinaruh" because the sea surrounding the Sanur Beach is calmer than other water bodies in the region," said Wayan Sudiarta in Sanur, Denpasar, on Sunday.

"Banyupinaruh" is celebrated by Hindus in Bali. On this day, people look for alternative sources of water.

Hindus begin the ceremony by offering "sajen" to a water body. They pray with other devotees at a beach. Then, they either take a shower or a bath. Sudiarta prayed with her family before taking a bath. Sudiarta's family left Cangu, Badung, and proceeded to the Sanur Beach at 6 am.

"There is a sea near our house, but the water is not calm. We go to the sea near our house to perform Banyupinaruh," he said.

Besides taking baths, visitors can also row canoes, while children play with duck-shaped buoys that float on water. Visitors can rent buoys and canoes from outlets located at the Sanur Beach.

There is also a park at Jalan Hangtuah Denpasar, at the entrance of the Sanur Beach. However, the park cannot accommodate tens of thousands of people.

Near Hantuah, there are two other beaches where Hindus can perform this ritual  the Segara Beach and the Sindu Beach. Since these beaches are crowded, there is a possibility of traffic congestion on the roads leading to the beaches. (*/DWA/T007)