Bhatara Tedun Kabeh Ceremony: Meeting Ceremony of Tapakan Ratu Gede from 5 Regencies in Bali to Apuan Pakraman Village

The Bhatara Tedun Kabeh ceremony is one of the sacred rituals at Pura Luhur Natar Sari, which is held every Saturday Kliwon (Tumpek) wuku Krulut. This ceremony is an important momentum for Hindus, where Bhatara manifested in the form of Tapakan descends to the world (Tedun) to provide blessings and safety. The procession takes place with great solemnity, starting at 22.30 WITA and reaching its peak at 01.30 WITA. This ritual is part of a form of harmony and respect for the spiritual forces believed to maintain the balance of the world.

The series of activities begins with the mapekeling ceremony, a procession of requests to Ida Bhatara Sakti Nawa Sanga and all Tapakan Bhatara present at the temple, to be pleased to descend to earth. Mapekeling is a symbol of spiritual communication between humanity and the divine dimension. In a silent and solemn atmosphere, people offer prayers and hopes, asking for protection and balance of the universe. After mapekeling, Tapakan Ida Bhatara alternately descends to the temple grounds. This procession is initiated by Ida Bhatara Sakti Nawa Sanga, then followed by other Tapakans in a circular formation surrounding the Panyegjeg Bhuwana upakara. This circular formation symbolizes the cosmic harmony and balance at the core of Balinese Hindu philosophy.

The ceremony coincides with Tumpek Krulut, a holy day that has deep meaning as a moment to invoke the power of taksu or spiritual aura. This taksu is an important element in various traditional Balinese art forms, such as masks, barong, rangda, and other art forms. In a broader context, this ceremony also aims to invoke the safety of the world or what is known as Panyegjeg Bhuwana (the balancing of the universe).

Ida Bhatara Sakti Nawa Sanga Going to Beji Temple (Photo Source: Personal Collection)

The preparation for this ceremony begins with a purification procession carried out at the Beji Temple of Apuan Pakraman Village. At this stage, the Tapakan Ida Bhatara Sakti Nawa Sanga and other Tapakan Ratu Gede, represented by two daksina pelinggih, are brought to Beji Temple to be purified. This tradition is carried out because the Beji Temple yard has a limited capacity to accommodate all Tapakan. After the purification is complete, the courtyard of Luhur Natar Sari Temple is cleaned, and the ceremonial offerings are neatly arranged according to traditional procedures.

Panyegjeg Bhuwana Upakara Procession (Photo Source: Personal Collection)

The next stage is the Panyegjeg Bhuwana ceremony, which is the centerpiece of the ritual. The pemangku form a circular formation in the temple courtyard, surrounding the upakara that has been prepared. At this stage, various special banten are offered to the Tapakan Ida Bhatara who are present. This ceremony also symbolizes the people's request for Ida Bhatara Sakti Nawa Sanga to descend to earth, provide spiritual strength, and maintain the harmony of the universe.

After Tapakan returned to their respective places, preparations for the joint prayers continued. The pemangku dedicatedly prepare all the banten, tirta, and other ceremonial needs. Once everything is complete, the community is allowed to pray together. In an atmosphere filled with gratitude, people ask for blessings, protection, and welfare from Ida Bhatara.

Joint Prayer (Photo Source: Personal Collection)

The Bhatara Tedun Kabeh ritual has a very deep spiritual meaning. In addition to being a pasupati moment to invoke the power of taksu that will support people's lives, both in the aspect of art and the balance of the universe, this ritual is also a form of gratitude to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa for all His blessings. The power of taksu invoked in this ceremony is considered important not only in the arts but also in everyday life, as it is a source of inspiration, creativity, and spiritual strength for Hindus.

In addition, this ceremony also reflects the harmony between man, nature, and God (Tri Hita Karana). The involvement of all elements of society, from preparation to ritual execution, shows a strong sense of community and respect for traditional values. In a broader context, this ceremony is also a prayer and hope for the salvation of the world, so this tradition is not only spiritually relevant but also socially and ecologically.