• Home
• Traditional

Unique Ritual at Telaga Maya, Ducks Appear to Swim in Dry Waters

• 20 Agustus 2024
• Traditional
• Gianyar

GIANYAR, NETIZENBALI.COM - In the village of Pejeng, Gianyar, Bali, the Telaga Maya at Pura Pusering Jagat hosts the unique and spiritually significant Mapakelem ceremony. This annual event involves releasing a pair of white ducks into the dry pond of Telaga Maya. Despite the absence of water, the ducks appear to swim, symbolizing the neutralization of negative energies and the warding off of diseases in the village.

The community actively participates in this ritual, bringing offerings and engaging in collective prayers led by local priests. The Telaga Maya, part of the ancient Pura Pusering Jagat, holds historical and cultural significance, housing numerous archaeological relics that reflect Bali’s rich spiritual heritage.

Jero Mangku Dewa Ngakan Putu Bagiana explained that all residents of Pejeng Village come to the temple with offerings and perform collective prayers, following the tradition of Balinese Hindus. The priests, committee members, and sutris prepare the offerings, including sacred food and sorohan, which are placed in the middle of Telaga Maya.

“The priests, committee members, and all the sutris meticulously prepared the offerings for the Mapakelem Telaga Maya ceremony,” he stated, as quoted by jawapos.com.

During the ceremony, two white ducks, a male and a female, adorned with 11 coins (pis bolong solas), are released into the pond. The community is allowed to catch these ducks from outside the pond, but they must return them to the sutri or the temple. The offerings in the middle of the pond remain untouched.(NB)