HARI RAYA SUGIAN BALI

Sugian Bali is the third of three Sugian ceremonies that are performed to cleanse the bhuana agung (the environment of the individual human being, or macro-cosmos) and the bhuana alit (the micro-cosmos or the inner world of the individual human being) of negativity; at the same time they are meant to create awareness of one's sacred inner power. The three Sugian ceremonies are (sequential):

1. Sugian Pengenten
2. Sugian Jawa
3. Sugian Bali

Ethymology

In Sanskrit the word bali means 'inner power', which refers to the bhuana alit or micro-cosmos, the environment of the individual human being (the counterpart of the environment of the individual human being, the macro-cosmos or bhuana agung).

Ceremonies of Sugian Bali

The ceremonies of Sugian Bali are intended to cleanse the bhuana alit (the inner world of the individual human being or the micro-cosmos) of negativity so that he/she will be able (again) to enclose and utilize this inner power in an appropiate, spiritual way.

The ceremonies are conducted at the local temples with prayers and special offerings.

At the end of the ceremonies one is symbolically cleansed of inner negativity by a pemangku (lay priest) or pedanda (high priest) with purifying sacred water called tirta penglukatan.

Spiritual symbolism of the ceremonies

The symbolism of this ceremony is intended to remind the individual to guard himself against the selfish desires and actions of the ego in favor of the unselfish goals of the soul or higher self. One prays for a clear mind with positive thinking and for strength to keep one's self- control in situations where negative emotions are bound to arise.

Celebration date of Sugian Bali

Sugian Bali, the third of the three Sugian ceremonies, takes place five days before Galungan at the day following Sugian Jawa, which is Jumat Kliwon, the Friday of the 10th week of the Balinese Pawukon calendar, Sungsan.

You may consult the ceremony calendar for this year's specific Sugian Bali date.