Balik Sumpah Agung Marks Key Stage in Hulundanu Batur’s Ten‑Yearly Rites

Bangli — A series of major preparatory rites for the ten-yearly Karya Tawur Agung Manca Wali Krama were held at Pura Hulundanu Batur in Desa Adat Songan, Kintamani, Bangli, on Friday, 11 September 2026, including Balik Sumpah Agung and the combined Melaspas Wangunan, Rsi Gana and Mendem Pedagingan ceremonies, according to local media reports.

The sequence took place at one of Bali’s key water temples and followed Kuna Dresta, the inherited customary procedures of Desa Adat Songan, with religious and customary officiants carrying out roles defined by local tradition.

According to Bali Prawara, the day’s programme began with Ngaturin at Pura Banjar Lusu as part of the ongoing Karya Tawur Agung Manca Wali Krama. Coverage by another local outlet described similar preparatory stages as being conducted gradually ahead of the peak of the ceremony, which is scheduled to culminate on 26 September 2026.

Balik Sumpah Agung in the temple’s middle courtyard

Bali Prawara reported that Balik Sumpah Agung was held in the Madya Mandala, or middle courtyard, of Pura Hulundanu Batur. The rite was led by four sulinggih (high priests) from different parts of Bali: Ida Shri Bhagawan Putra Nata Nawa Wangsa Pemayun from Kedatuan Kawista Pura in Belatungan, Pupuan; Ida Pedanda Gede Sogata from Griya Buda Tianyar; Ida Pedanda Rsi Agung Kesuma Yoga from Griya Kertha Yoga in Tulikup, Gianyar; and Ida Pandita Dukuh Acharya Daksa from Griya Pedukuhan Samiaga, Penatih, Denpasar.

The ceremony also involved customary officiants from Songan, identified as Guru Kubayan, Jro Mangku Gede, Jro Mangku, Jro Balian, Jro Dasaran and Jro Penyarikan, who served as pamuput in accordance with Desa Adat Songan’s Kuna Dresta. Local media noted that such participation reflects the layered religious and social organisation around the temple, where priests, village officials and community members share responsibilities in large-scale rituals.

Melaspas Wangunan, Rsi Gana and Mendem Pedagingan

The next stage in the 11 September sequence took place in the Utama Mandala, or inner courtyard, of Pura Hulundanu Batur. Bali Prawara reported that Melaspas Wangunan, Rsi Gana and Mendem Pedagingan were conducted together and led by Ida Pedanda Gede Putra Bajing of Griya Tegal Jingga in Denpasar and Ida Pedanda Gede Swabawa Adnyana Karang of Buda Keling.

According to the same report, this combined stage was closely tied to the purification of temple buildings and ceremonial equipment used during the yadnya, with customary officiants again serving as pamuput under Songan’s ritual rules. Separate coverage of related ceremonies at the temple around the same period similarly emphasizes purification and sanctification of structures and sacred objects as central elements in the Karya Tawur Agung Manca Wali Krama.

Performances and community participation

Bali Prawara described a cultural programme accompanying the rites on 11 September. Jro Dalang Puasa Pujung presented wayang, Dadia Banjar Anyar Dauhan performed Rejang, Jro Topeng Pajenengan conducted Sidakarya, and Sekaa Gong and Pregina from Dadia Banjar Anyar Danginan presented Tabuh and Baris Tumbak. These performances were offered as part of the wider ceremonial sequence.

The organising committee was chaired by I Gede Darmawa, identified as the chair of the karya, with Jro Saba serving as organising chair. The participation described in local coverage spans priests, temple officials, customary authorities and residents of Desa Adat Songan, with different dadia (kin groups) and performance ensembles contributing to the programme.

Place in the broader ten-yearly ceremony

Reports from Bali Prawara and another local outlet place the 11 September rites within a long series of stages for Karya Tawur Agung Manca Wali Krama at Pura Hulundanu Batur. Earlier in September, ceremonies including Danu Kertih and Wana Kertih were held at Lake Batur and Mount Batur, while other preparatory rituals and processions continued in the temple complex.

Local media state that the ten-yearly Karya Tawur Agung Manca Wali Krama at Pura Hulundanu Batur runs from mid-August to early October 2026 and that its peak will be held on Saturday, 26 September 2026, coinciding with Purnama Sasih Kapat. The 11 September sequence of Balik Sumpah Agung and the combined Melaspas Wangunan, Rsi Gana and Mendem Pedagingan forms part of this extended timeline of rituals dedicated to safeguarding the balance of nature and spiritual harmony in Bali.

Sources

• Bali Post – article on Balik Sumpah Agung and Mendem Pedagingan
• Bali Prawara