1st June was not just a day, it was an auspicious day, and it was not just an auspicious day, it was a triply auspicious day. Perfect for a New Spa Ceremony in Ubud, Bali.

The Balinese believe in auspicious days. They are coincidence days, rather like Friday 13th.

 

 

So 1st June was a very good day to have the blessing for the opening of Tamarind Spa at Murni’s Houses, Ubud, Bali.
The weather was glorious, which made it a quadruply auspicious day.

 

 

Early in the morning Murni and her family and friends prepared the numerous offerings of fruit and flowers, rice and spices, and I even noticed a cooked chicken.

 

 

On such days the priests are very busy carrying out ceremonies. We were lucky that he showed up around noon, which made it more challenging for photographs.

 

 

 

He brought his bell, which resonated throughout, and his mantras, and his mudras, which are sacred hand gestures.

 

 

 

 

The women sprinkled holy water over every corner of the spa, both inside and out. Balinese Hinduism is not called the holy water religion for nothing.

 

 

A piece of cloth with magical symbols for protection was attached to the eaves, never to be removed.

 

 

A bamboo pole was burnt over a small fire until it exploded frightening away any malevolent spirits that might have been lurking about.

 

 

After a couple of hours of mantras, ringing bells, and prayers, the ceremony was over and the spa had received the blessing of the gods and was ready to welcome guests.

There are more photographs of New Spa Ceremony in Ubud, Bali a  on www.jonathaninbali.com

 

There are chapters on Balinese Hinduism, Balinese Calendars, Balinese Ceremonies and Offerings in Secrets of Bali.