Melasti Ceremony on Ngobaran Beach

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A. Overview

Melasti is a Hindu ritual conducted prior to Nyepi holiday. The annual ceremony is meant to be a self-purification for all Hindus to be given physical and mental strength by God Sang Hyang Widhi in tapa brata or restraining desires. Using water to symbolize purification, the ceremony is carried out in places where there is plenty of water, such as beach, river, well, or spring. In Gunungkidul, for example, the Hindus conduct Melasti in the historical Ngobaran Beach.

People say, Prabu Brawijaya V, a Majapahit king, once came on the beach and performed asceticism to achieve life perfection (moksa). To commemorate the event, in 2003 a descendant of the Majapahit King built a temple called Pura Segara Wukir along with a number of God statues on Ngobaran Beach. Since then, the beach is used as a venue for Melasti ceremony by Hindus, or also known as kejawan (not kejawen) adherents. “Kejawan” is a belief whose name is thought to have been derived from the name of Brawijaya V’s son, Bondhan Kejawan.

In the area there is also a structure believed to be where Brawijaya V performed pati obong (self-burning act) to deceive his son, Raden Patah (the first king of Demak), who urged him to convert to Islam. The structure, known as Paseban, is a stone box surrounded by a grey-colored wood fence in front of a joglo (Javanese traditional house). The paseban is also used for religious ceremonies by Brawijaya V. That is why Melasti is distinguished into two ceremonies performed in different places, namely dewa yadnya ceremony in Pura Segara Wukir and bhuta yadnya ceremony in Paseban Segara Wukir, which is believed to be where Brawijaya V performed his last meditation.

Apart from the worship rituals, Melasti also features labuhan (offerings giving ritual). This is a form of Tri Hita Karana teaching which aims at keeping the harmony of human, God, and nature. Along with the offerings, there is a prayer to God Baruna as the ruler of the ocean and to Nyai Roro Kidul as the ruler of the South Sea to give the Hindus strength to restrain desires, especially on Nyepi holiday.

B. Features

As a ritual rich with cultural values, Melasti Ceremony has become a unique tourism attraction in Gunungkidul. Thousands of Hindus from various areas will take part in this ceremony every year, wearing traditional wardrobe either Balinese or Javanese and carrying offerings to be set adrift into the South Sea. Traditional Balinese music will be played throughout the process.

Melasti begins with a procession of some gunungans (cone-shaped arrangement of rice, various crops, and other materials). The procession will be led by a wasi and pinandita. The gunungans are carried from different temples in Gunungkidul to Pura Segara Wukir as a central place for the ceremony, accompanied by some mantras and prayers. The gunungans and other offerings will be put and set neatly upon a table. Then, the people will pray together as a form of submission and gratitude to God.

The prayers will be followed with labuhan ritual. Some offerings will be put in the water and carried by the waves as symbols of universal purification. Meanwhile, the gunungans, which contain various vegetables and fruits, will be left there and fought over by the people. This event is usually called ngalap berkah or grebeg Nyepi. Ngalap berkah is also the closing event of Melasti Ceremony.

For Gunungkidul Hindus, ngalap berkah is considered as seeking for fortunes. For that they are always enthusiastic in taking part in the event. If they get some of the vegetables or fruits, they will take them home and use them to purify their house or keep them for fortunes.

C. Location

Melasti Ceremony is performed on Ngobaran Beach, Kanigoro Village, Saptosari District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta.

D. Access

Ngobaran Beach is 30 km south of Wonosari or 60 km south of Yogyakarta. To get to the beach, you can go by either of the two usual routes. The first one is through Yogyakarta – Gading Landing Field – Gading T-intersection (take the right turn) – Playen – Paliyan – Trowono – Saptosari – Ngobaran Beach. The second route is through Yogyakarta – Wonosari – Paliyan – Trowono – Ngobaran Beach.

You can reach the beach by either private or public transportation. However, taking a four-wheeled public transportation, you will have to stop at Trowono Market and continue your trip by motorcycle taxi to the beach.

E. Ticket

There is actually no admission ticket applied for visiting the site. However, as you have to pass by Ngobaran Beach to get there, you will have to get a ticket to the beach which is Rp 3,000 for each person.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

The fact that there is not yet electricity in the area, comprehensive accommodations and facilities are not available, except for the standard ones such as public convenience, eating places, place of worship, and parking lot.

Text: Samsuni
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

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If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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