Prior to Nyepi celebration in Bali this year, earlier this week at Batubolong Beach in front of Hotel Tugu Bali a Melasti ceremony took place. The annual washing of the temple equipments before Nyepi. Priests from every part of Bali have to wash their temple paraphernalia in the sea as part of a cleansing ritual .
The ceremony ended with the ritual of encircling the beach. People of each “banjar” alternately walking, carrying each of their respective “pratima” consisting of colorful and ornate flags and streamers, decorative umbrellas, various offerings, and more sacred symbols of each temple lifted high above their heads, creating an aura of majesty and splendour. Celebrated in true Balinese style; graceful, and almost silent.
