An ancient Balinese purification ceremony, capturing the attention of Aussie tourists through social media with poignant videos showcasing individuals undergoing emotional experiences, has witnessed a substantial uptick in Australian participants.
The Balinese sacred cleansing ritual, which surged on social media platforms in the wake of the pandemic, has garnered increased interest from Australian tourists seeking to purify their minds, bodies, and souls.
Over the past few years, influencers and travel bloggers have flooded social media with accounts of their experiences, touting the “traditional Balinese purification ritual” as a must-do activity while on the island. A cursory keyword search on TikTok and Instagram reveals numerous videos featuring participants, adorned in traditional sarongs and surrounded by water and flowers, expressing intense emotions during the ceremony. Travelers, in search of inner peace, have been drawn to this emotional ritual, although local authorities contend that it is a sacred practice reserved for Hindu adherents.
Known as “Melukat,” the ceremony is an integral part of the Hindu religion, designed to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit through the act of bathing in holy water. Passed down through generations among the Hindu community, this ritual serves to eliminate impurities within the participant.
Expressing concern over the growing phenomenon, I Ketut Pasek Swastika, deputy of the Bali chapter of the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI), overseeing religious and spiritual affairs, emphasized that the ritual is a sacred practice restricted to Hindu adherents. He clarified, “Non-Hindus are allowed to perform the ritual. (But) it’s called bathing and not melukat. (You) can do it in a pond, a river, a lake, as long as you don’t use the word ‘melukat’ because it’s sacred,” as reported by Coconuts Bali.
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Contradicting this perspective, a manager of a spiritual center in Ubud stated in an interview with Yahoo News Australia that “any religion” can participate in the ritual. Helena of Tri Desna Spiritual Centre said, “This is our tradition here in Bali, and I remember since I [was] little we always perform purification ceremony at least once a year and sometimes more.” She emphasized the varying responses of participants to the ritual, noting that some feel drowsy, others cry, and some laugh and smile, attributing the ritual’s increased popularity to the prevalence of technology and social media.
Bali, traditionally known for its surf, culinary delights, and vibrant party scene, has recently gained prominence as a top international destination for health-focused getaways. An Expedia research study indicates a 47 percent increase in Aussies open to the idea of wellness holidays, marking a shift towards well-being-inspired travel experiences.
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