Melukat

Melukat is a cleansing ritual of the mind, body, and spirit using water practiced in Bali, Indonesia.^[1][2][3] This ceremony has been passed down through generations among the Hindu community to the present day.^[4] Spiritual purification in this context means eliminating impurities within oneself.^[2] The term Melukat is derived from the Old Javanese^[5] words lukat meaning "purification".^[1][2] The Melukat ceremony is led by a priest and involves offerings such as prascita and bayuan, prepared with accompanying mantras.^[2][6] The individual to be purified is first subjected to mantras by the priest.^[6] After the mantra process is completed, the person is bathed with coconut water.^[6] Following the coconut water bath, the ritual continues with immersion in a lake, river, sea, or a bathing place believed to bring blessings.^[6] This ceremony is typically performed during Hindu religious days, such as Purnama, Tilem, and Kajeng Kliwon.^[6] Melukat ceremonies are often conducted collectively, such as by schools, offices, government bodies, or local communities.^[7] The ceremonies take place at historical sites, temples, bathing places, beaches, rivers, and the sea in Bali.^[1][3][6] The ritual can be found in several places such as Tirta Empul Temple, Mengening Temple, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, Campuhan Windhu Segara Temple, Sebatu Holy Spring Temple^[8], Tirtha Sudamala Temple, Saraswati Temple in Ubud, and Goa Giri Putri Temple in Nusa Penida.^[1][2][3] Tirta Empul Temple is arguably considered the most renowned location for the ritual.^[3] The ritual has since become a tourist attraction.^[3]