Reaching Purity: The Pewintenan Ritual as a Spiritual Beginning
On October 6, 2024, the Nunas Pewintenan yadnya ceremony was held in Bali, led by Ida Pedanda Oka Watulumbang and attended by around 90 community members (krama). This ceremony aims for the purification of oneself both physically and spiritually, preparing participants to learn specific knowledge and skills, and marking the initial steps in their spiritual development. Pewintenan, which means "to shine like a jewel," encompasses various levels and types according to the participants' conditions and life tasks.
A day after the peak of the grand ceremony Ngenteg Linggih, Ngusabha Desa, and Mahayu Nini Pura Desa Puseh Mengwitani, specifically on October 6, 2024, the Nunas Pewintenan yadnya ceremony was held. The ceremony began around 2:00 PM and was led by Ida Pedanda Oka Watulumbang from Griya Magelung Baha. This Pewintenan was also combined with the Nganyarin ceremony.
Approximately 90 members of the community (krama) participated in the Pewintenan, including members of the Prajuru Desa, pemangku, calon pemangku, juru pundut, and mainly the general public. Their purpose in attending this ceremony is to prepare themselves to learn specific knowledge or skills, especially in a religious context, to carry out certain duties, and as a commitment to take the initial steps in their spiritual development.
Pewintenan, or Mawinten, is a yadnya ceremony in Hindu-Bali tradition that serves to purify oneself both physically and spiritually. Physical purification is conducted by bathing with water mixed with various flowers. Meanwhile, spiritual purification involves praying to Hyang Widhi for cleansing and guidance in learning sacred knowledge.
The term "Mawinten" comes from Old Javanese, meaning "to shine like a jewel," reflecting the purpose of this ceremony to make participants pure and beneficial to others. There are various levels and types of Mawinten ceremonies, depending on the condition of the participants, their stages, and the life tasks they carry. In terms of levels, there are simple, intermediate, and main pawintenan. Regarding the types of pawintenan, there are pawintenan Sari, pawintenan Saraswati, pawintenan Dasa Guna, pawintenan Ganapati, and pawintenan Panca Rsi.
In general, the meaning of Pawintenan encompasses spiritual, educational, and social responsibility aspects within the Hindu community.
