Punggul ceremony reaches peak after rituals began Sept. 26

Punggul — A mass Atma Wedana and Manusa Yadnya ceremony in Punggul, Badung, reached its peak on Oct. 9, following a ritual sequence that began on Sept. 26, according to a report published Oct. 11 and updated Oct. 12.

The ceremony at Balai Budaya Desa Punggul in Abiansemal brought residents together for Nyekah and mass Metatah. The report said the opening rite, matur piuning, took place at Pura Kahyangan Tiga, followed by a series of preparatory and ceremonial observances.

Why it matters to readers

For visitors and foreign residents, the ceremony illustrates how major Balinese religious observances can extend over several weeks rather than taking place as a single event. Atma Wedana is associated with rites for the dead, while Metatah is a coming-of-age ceremony. The gathering was a community-organized event, rather than a tourism program.

The report identified Bagus Alit Sucipta, deputy regent of Badung, among those attending the peak ceremony. It also said the event was led by religious officiants from Griya Gede Punggul, Griya Gede Sangeh and Griya Padang Kerta Punggul, together with Walaka Sami.

The ritual sequence included matur piuning, nyukat karang suci, nanceb tetangunan, linggih tirta, nunas don bingin, ngulapin sekah, metatah and ngulapin sekah tunggal. The report said the Atma Wedana rites involved 21 sawa, while 18 people took part in the Metatah ceremony.

The ceremony followed an agreement reached through a meeting of Punggul residents. The report also said the Badung regency government symbolically provided more than IDR 199 million (about US$12,000) in stimulant funding to the event committee.

Sources

• Bali Post — Indonesian news report
• badungkab.go.id
• indonesiaexpose.co.id