In Balinese Hindu tradition, the Madewasraya Bali Ceremony is a special prayer held when the island faces great trouble.
Behind the tourist beaches and cafes, Bali has a deep spiritual life. When big problems happen, people do not just talk about them. They turn to ancient prayers to find balance.
The word Madewasraya comes from three simple ideas:
▪️ Madé: To do or perform.
▪️ Dewa: God or divine power.
▪️ Śraya: To ask for help and safety.
Put simply, it means asking God for protection. It means stepping back, staying quiet, and placing the island in divine hands when human efforts are not enough.
A Ritual Used Only in Times of Trouble
Madewasraya is not a regular ceremony. It is rare and used only during major crises. When a crisis happens, modern society treats the physical problem. Balinese philosophy looks deeper. It believes two worlds must stay in balance:
⮕ The Big World: Nature, the mountains, and the oceans.
⮕ The Small World: Human beings and our daily lives.
When humans get sick, suffer, or lose peace, it means nature and the universe are out of balance.
This ceremony is not meant to replace doctors or scientists. Instead, it asks a different question: “How do we heal our connection with nature?”
Three Historical Times Bali Held This Sacred Prayer
1. Ancient Times (Over 1,000 Years Ago): The story begins during the Warmadewa Dynasty. Royal copperplate charters from King Udayana (around 1011 AD) and King Jaya Pangus (around 1181 AD) both mention the sacred sanctuary of Tuluk Biyu. These charters prove that this sanctuary and its rites were already ancient and established long before modern record-keeping began.
2. After Bombing Tragedy (2006): Following the Bali bombings in 2002 and 2005, grief was heavy and visitor arrivals dropped. High priests held the ceremony to cleanse the land, heal the community, and bring spiritual peace back to the island.
3. During the Pandemic (2020): When COVID-19 impacted the world, priests performed this ritual once again to clean the island, restore health, and protect humanity.
The Ritual Returns This September
This September, religious leaders return to Pura Tuluk Biyu Batur in Kintamani to perform this rare event once again.
The prayers take place across three main days:
September 16: Cleaning the Environment
Priests clean negative energy from the temple grounds and prepare gifts for the gods.
September 21: Joining the Mountain and the Lake
People travel to two sacred places: the top of Mount Abang and the waters of Lake Batur.
⮕ The mountain represents spiritual power.
⮕ The lake represents physical life and water.
⮕ Priests place gifts on the mountain and into the lake to clean the water used by farmers across Bali.
September 26 : The Big Day of Prayer
On the full moon, priests and local families gather at the temple. Together, they pray for peace, health, and protection for everyone on Earth.
Let’s Keep the Tradition Alive
A giant ceremony like this takes weeks of work and thousands of handmade offerings. It relies on Dana Punia, the Balinese tradition of giving from the heart, where every contribution, big or small, is considered sacred.
In Bali, Dana Punia is more than just financial support; it is an act of devotion and solidarity. By giving, you help sustain the offerings, empower the local community, and ensure that this living heritage continues for generations to come.
Whether you live in Bali, are visiting, or supporting from afar, your gift carries the spirit of punia, pure giving that keeps the island’s culture alive.
To learn more about visiting the temple or supporting the event:
⮕ Email: [email protected]
⮕ Support: Scan the QR code below to contribute directly.
