See Jakarta Post article for latest bird flu ceremony
Regencies held rituals to ward off bird flu
DENPASAR: In response to the ongoing scare of avian influenza, several regencies in Bali have organized a series of Hindu rituals and ceremonies in the hope they will help prevent future possible outbreaks of the disease.
Tabanan regency on Monday held Guru Piduka ceremonies at Luhur Batukaru and Pekendungan temples. The first temple is located atop sacred Mount Batukaru while the second lies in the vicinity of Beraban Beach.
"The locations were selected in accordance with the Balinese-Hindu concept of Nyegara-Gunung (ocean-mountain) as the primary sources of energy as well as the most powerful agents of spiritual purification and protection," temple priest Jero Kubayan said.
The ceremonies were attended by scores of regency officials, including vice regent IGG Wirasana. Similar purification rituals were also held in Bangli regency on the same day. Meanwhile, Badung regency conducted the rituals a week earlier.
A larger, province-scale ritual is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
"Seeking solace and protection from the divine is a common trait shared by the majority of Balinese. There is nothing wrong with it as long as we do not forget concrete, worldly measures, such as mass culling and better health services," Hindu scholar Sugi Lanus said.