Melukat Ritual

Written by Marvin Wijaya on Monday 09 October 2023

Melukat comes from the word sulukat. “Su” means good and “lukat” means purification. Melukat translates to purifying oneself for goodness and happiness.

It is just one part of the Tirtayatra ritual, which requires traveling to holy places to perform ritual prayers, to meditate and to take tirta (holy water). The tradition has been around for 5000 years!

In Bali, there are several places used for Melukat – including rivers, springs, temples, seas, showers, and water made by Hindu priests in their homes.

 

Different Types of Melukat The Balinese have 7 types of Melukat: 

1. Melukat Astupungku – to clean and purify (based on the negative influences of the day of birth, and the imbalance of the Tri Guna – which influences and shapes a person’s character)
2. Melukat Surya Yomana – to remove stains and dirt on babies
3. Melukat gini ngelayang – for treating disease
4. Melukat prabu – to pray for success and prosperity
5. Melukat gomana – to get rid of bad character traits (done on the person’s Balinese birthday – based on the Balinese Calendar; every 210 days)
6. Melukat Semarabeda – to purify Sang Kama Jaya (God of Love), and his wife, Sang Kama Ratih of all stains. Usually done before someone gets married.
7. Melukat Nawa Ratna – is said to have the same meaning as Melukat Prabu. 

All the Melukat ceremonies are led by a pemangku (local ruler). Offerings such as prascita and bayuan are prepared by giving mantra or spells.

Those who will be ‘cleaned’ will do a ceremony with the pemangku first. You will be given a mantra and splashed with coconut water, then bath in a lake, river, or a place that is believed to be a blessing.

After, you can rinse your body and change clothes.

To end the ceremony, you will pray and be sprinkled with holy water by the priest.

What to do During Melukat

Because Melukat is a sacred ritual, there is an etiquette that must be followed.

1. Follow the rules that apply at the religious place 
2. Respect the tradition   
3. Wear modest or Balinese clothes 
4. Say the mantra ‘Om Sarira Parisudhamam Swaha’ which means ‘May the physical body and the mind body be pure’
5. Follow the ritual by bringing sesajen or offerings.
6. Do not shower using soap or shampoo during the ritual
7. It is forbidden to spit and urinate in the showers/water
8. Do not curse during the ritual
9. Some places may prohibit you to carry a bag, belt or other accessories made of cowhide
10. Menstruating women are not allowed to do Melukat

Which springs can the Melukat ceremony be performed at?

• Pura Tirta Empul Temple

The temple is located in the jungle near Ubud. It was originally built in 962 AD, but has been rebuilt several times since then.

Pura Tirta Empul is known for its sacred springs, which, according to legend, were created by the god Indra. The water in these springs is believed to be healing, so pilgrims come here to perform the cleansing ritual. Several courtyards with small temples are located on the spacious territory, each dedicated to its own deity. One of the most famous courtyards is a complex of pools, in which people can cleanse themselves of sins and ailments by washing themselves in the spring. 

How to perform a ritual at Tirta Empul Temple?

If you want to perform the cleansing ritual, you will need to rent a special green sarong and tie it over your swimwear: women wrap it like a dress, while men tie it around their hips.

Then you can use the services of a local Balinese who works on the temple grounds and will perform the ritual for a donation.

 

The Melukat ritual begins with prayers and offerings that you can purchase at the temple. Then, pilgrims immerse themselves in the pools, washing their body and soul in the water from the source. Each pool symbolizes a specific aspect of life: for example, in the first pool, people can purify themselves from selfishness and greed, and in the second one - from anger and envy. Each fountain also has its own meaning, some are intended only for Balinese ceremonies, so it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the locals and go in a clear sequence. Before the ritual, you can formulate an intention.