Denpasar - Three Buddhist temples in the sacred Besakih Temple compound, Karangasem district in Bali, venerated Hyang Widhi Wasa, the great unity God who delivers godsend welfare to human beings.
"Piodalan" on the three temples of the 18 Besakih temple complexes as the wealth rituals respecting money or income which has been bestowed to the Hindus, ANTARA reported from Besakih Temple, some 85 kilometers east of here on Wednesday.
The ritual was led by two Siwa-Budha priests, attended by thousands of Hindus, including former Bali Governor Made Dewa Beratha and people of Chinese descent.
Starting this morning the Hindus flocked the site to follow the rituals at Dukuh Temple, Ida Ratu Syahbandar temple yard and Goa Raja temple.
"Piodalan" at the three temples on Wednesday was celebrated once in every six months and this time it was not only attended by Balinese Hindus but also those from Lombok, East Nusa Tenggara and Banyuwangi, East Java.
The "Sri Sedana" Ritual known as the "Rambut Sedana", is a holy day or `Odalan` for money or income which had been sent by God to man, a leader of the religious ceremony at the temple, Jro Pande Made Satra said.
"Sri" means rice, Sedana means money, in other words a part of income, which is observed in every household and local temples," Mangku Sastra said.
Goa Raja temple has its uniqueness as it is a cave at the edge of a small river formed by lava of Mount Agung which erupted in 1963, 45 years ago.
Goa Batu is a large temple in the complex. Traditionally the Hindus believed that its downstream ends at Goa Lawah temple in Klungkung district and the upstream reaches Mount Agung, the highest mountain in Bali.
A temple functions as a central point r the veneration of Hyang Widhi that gives godsend welfare to man.
One of the `pelinggih` is a place to venerate "Ida Betara Rambut Sedana" believed it can also deliver welfare to man, Mangku Sastra said.
He explained that in Balinese Hindu tradition "Betara Rambut Sedana" is worshiped as the welfare goddess who gives wealth, gold-silver (Sarwa Mule), diamonds and money (Dana) to man.
The people in the Goddess island, who are mostly Hindus constantly observe the special veneration of "Betara Rambut Sedana" on Wednesday, Wuku Klawu, or known as the `Buda Cemeng Klawu" which is celebrated once in every 210 days.
Source:
http://www.antaranews.com (December 18, 2008)
