Pengratep of the Great Ceremony at Pura Desa Puseh Mengwitani: The Balance of Yadnya in the Cycle of Time
Six months ago, precisely on Tumpek Kuningan, October 5, 2024, Pura Desa Puseh Mengwitani held the pinnacle of the Great Ceremony (Karya Agung) of Ngenteg Linggih, Ngusabha Desa, and Mapahayu Nini. That day also coincided with the temple’s odalan, making it a sacred moment full of spiritual power and communal devotion. Following such a grand ritual, an important phase called Pengratep Karya is required, which this year falls on October 3, 2025—again coinciding with Tumpek Kuningan.
Pengratep Karya serves as a spiritual bridge leading to the next regular piodalan six months later. In this context, this year's Tumpek Kuningan piodalan is known as nyelihan—not just a regular temple festival, but a sacred anchor that balances the energy of the previous grand offering. Therefore, the ceremony is held on a larger scale than regular piodalan, though not as elaborate as the Karya Agung.
Ida Pedanda Putra Pasuruan from Griya Gede Taman Lukluk
Four bebangkit offerings and several pulagembal lepas are presented in this ceremony. These offerings symbolize the enduring and flowing devotion of the community, as expressions of gratitude and spiritual affirmation of the previous ritual. The Pengratep Karya is once again led by Ida Pedanda Putra Pasuruan from Griya Gede Taman Lukluk, who also served as the Yajamana Karya during last year’s grand ceremony. He is accompanied by Ida Pedanda Istri Parwati Kemenuh, who previously served as the Tapeni Karya.
The procession begins at 4:00 PM local time, starting with Ida Bhatara Desa Puseh sanctifying at the beji together with the Kahyangan Tiga, as is customary during piodalan. However, unlike most village temples, Ida Bhatara Desa Puseh does not physically descend during every piodalan. Only the proclamation (pecanangan) of Ida is performed—without pawintenan or ngider—reflecting a profound local wisdom of Desa Adat Mengwitani. This policy, passed down by the founding fathers of the village, was designed to ensure that the community is not overburdened by overly frequent and intense rituals.
The Baris Gede Dance
The pecanangan is still spiritually accompanied by the petapakan of Ratu Ngurah Agung and Ratu Nyoman from Pura Desa Puseh, as well as Ratu Ketut and Ratu Bhatari from Pura Penataran. After the mesuci at the beji, the procession continues with sacred dances such as pendet and baris gede. This is followed by murwa daksina, three cycles of three rounds encircling the temple, symbolizing the movement of Ida Bhatara's energy through the three realms (loka) and three mandalas. The ritual concludes with prayers led by the sulinggih, ending solemnly at 11:00 PM.
The Pemendak Agung Dance by Serati
Philosophically, Pengratep Karya represents the wholeness of yadnya that does not end with the Karya Agung itself. Just as a human is born, the Ngenteg Linggih six months ago symbolized the rebirth of Ida Bhatara Desa Puseh, as he was re-enthroned following rituals of purification and glorification. Following that was the nutug bulan pitung dina ritual on the 42nd day, symbolizing a spiritual journey after birth. Now, on the otonan nyelihan (special ceremonial birthday), this ceremony reaffirms his spiritual presence and strengthens the sacred vibrations that continue to dwell within the traditional village and its people.
This ceremony shows that yadnya is not a one-time event—it is continuous, gradual, and mindful. Pengratep Karya becomes the middle point between grand sacredness and daily simplicity. It is the connecting thread between the magnificent and the ordinary, ensuring spiritual vibrations remain stable and enduring. When the community focuses not only on grandeur but also on sustainability, that is when the true essence of yadnya is realized.
Topeng Sidha Karya Dance, the Completion of the Yadnya
The non-physical (niskala) presence of Ida alone is enough to radiate energy, for truly, yadnya is not just about form, but feeling and faith. Such wisdom is the strength of Desa Adat Mengwitani—crafting tradition with balance so that spirituality coexists harmoniously with social life.
Like the ever-turning spiral of time, yadnya continuously flows—from the peak of the grand ceremony to the Pengratep, and back to the regular piodalan. This is the spiritual breath of the village that continues to live on. Through this Pengratep Karya, the people of Mengwitani offer not just devotion, but also preserve an unseen legacy: harmony, balance, and sacred awareness passed down by the ancestors.
