PESANGGARAN-Thousands of Hindus from various regions in Banyuwangi Regency, holding a Melasti ceremony on Pulau Merah Beach, Dusun Pancer, Sumberagung Village, Pesanggaran District yesterday (6/3). The torrential rain did not stop the Hindus from carrying out the rituals that are part of the Nyepi celebration. In addition to prayer, they also forbade offerings to the middle of the sea.
“Melasti must be done under any conditions, like this heavy rain,”Said Nyoman Pageh Yasa, one of the Hindu leaders from the Village / District Pesanggaran. In this Melasti ritual, light him, There are more Hindus who come to Pulau Merah Beach than last year. They are, come from various regions in Banyuwangi Regency.
“This Melasti celebration is held in three places," he explained. The three places in Banyuwangi Regency that were made for Melasti, it's clear, at Rowo Bayu, Bayu Village, Songgon District, at the Great Temple of Tembokrejo Village, Muncar District, and on the Red Island Beach.
“It turns out that many friends come to Red Island," he said. In this Melasti activity, light him, Hindus pray at Pura Segara Tawang Alun Pulo Merah. Next, Larung offerings to the sea for offerings to Dewa Baruna.
The ritual is a form of asking for permission because water will be taken for self-purification and nature. “Amarta water is used to purify the earth in the series of ogoh-ogoh tomorrow, if at this time to purify each other," he said.
For Hindus, it's clear, Nyepi this year is quite special because it coincides with the phenomenon of a solar eclipse. With the solar eclipse, Hindus will perform special rituals in their respective homes.
For Hindus, The union of the sun with the moon is a good time for worship. “A solar eclipse is a union of the sun and the moon, this is unusual for veneration. There are three cycles happening simultaneously, is the meeting of the sun, candra, and the beginning of the day," he said. (radar)
