If you have already embraced the Balinese tradition of purification in holy springs, known as "melukat," you probably know places like Tirta Empul and Sebatu. Tirta Empul is perhaps the most popular place for water purifications in Bali and it becomes especially lively on days when the Balinese calendar recommends melukat. Very often, the chosen date for this is the day of Kajeng Kliwon. On this date, both Kajeng - the third day of the three-day week, and Kliwon - the fifth day of the five-day week, occur simultaneously. And this day occurs every 15 days.
If you are looking for places not yet explored by tourists and possessing a Balinese atmosphere, try going for a melukat at the Beji Selati springs. The springs are located upstream from the famous Kanto Lampo waterfall.
The place is quite easy to find on Google Maps. The entrance road leads to a well-equipped parking lot where there is a small warung with food and snacks. There you can also buy offerings (chanang) if you haven't bought them on the way. From the parking lot, you need to walk along the path through the rice fields about a hundred meters to the descent to the river canyon and the springs.
The descent is very easy, about as easy as at Kanto Lampo. It will take no more than 5 minutes. Or a little longer if you admire the beauty of the forest and stop to take photos. At the bottom, there is usually a priest on duty who recites mantras and blesses visitors. All the holy springs that are mandatory to visit are numbered, so you will easily understand in what order to visit them.
You need to start by taking a bath in the river.
Beyond the springs, by the cliff, there are changing rooms with showers, so everything is very civilized.
The place is not without intricate Balinese decor. Images of gods and spirits adorn the walls everywhere, carved directly into the stone. To the right of the entrance to the canyon, there is a small cascading waterfall, somewhat reminiscent of Kanto Lampo but about half the size.
After the cleansing rituals, Balinese people apply clay to their bodies, which is readily available near the springs. It is believed to have healing properties, both medicinal and non-medicinal. If you are not ready for such a muddy purification, it's up to you. This step can be skipped.
On Kajeng Kliwon days, you can see 6-14 people in the canyon at once. There are no queues, and the atmosphere is very pleasant and friendly.
If you have decided to undergo the Melukat water purification for the first time, try to find a familiar Balinese person who has been to this event before and would accompany you, advising on how to dress for the occasion, what to do, and how to behave in order to respect local traditions and get the most pleasant experience from the cleansing of body and soul.
Sometimes, foreign tourists, unaware of local customs, tie only a beach sarong over their bare bodies, resembling a dress-like garment. During the cleansing rituals, such a sarong can loosen, which appears quite inappropriate from the perspective of Balinese people visiting the sacred place. Observing how Balinese women dress for the ceremony can help understand the appropriate attire for women in such a place.
What is your experience with the Melukat ceremony? Where did you take it and how did you feel during it and upon completion?
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