hello. Today I’d like to tell you about my experience at Nandini Jungle by Hanging Gardens, a resort in Ubud, Bali, where I had a blessing cleansing ceremony (Melukat) at the Ayung River. This experience was so mysterious and special that it has stayed with me for a long time. At Nandini Jungle Resort, this is possible because we have exclusive use of a sacred space in the middle of the dense jungle in Ubud, Bali, where invisible spiritual energy flows. Let me tell you more about it : )
About the Blessing Purification Ritual Experience at Nandini Jungle Resort
Nandini Jungle Resort is located in Ubud, Bali, about a 30-minute drive from the city center, deep in the heart of Ubud’s charms. As such, the resort had a great selection of activities to choose from. We booked a traditional Balinese tea bag making experience and a blessing purification ritual, which we were excited about before our trip because it was a great way to immerse ourselves in the local Balinese culture.
For more information about the activities and experiences at Nandini Jungle Resort, you can check out their official website. If you’re interested in an activity, it’s best to contact the resort in advance to make reservations.
[Nandini Jungle Resort Official Website]
Preparing to experience the Blessing Purification Ceremony
Although it’s not a required part of the Blessing Purification Ceremony, we started by making a canang, which is very common in Bali. The canang is a kind of offering to the gods, and since we’ll be using it during the Blessing Purification Ceremony, we thought it would be more meaningful to participate in the Blessing Purification Ceremony with our own canang.
After about an hour of making tea bags, we went back to our room to rest for a while and then headed to Ayung River. During the blessing purification ceremony, a lot of water is used, so your clothes will get wet, so it is recommended to change into comfortable clothes. Also, although the cable car is used for transportation, there is a lot of walking down the stairs, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
Testimonials from the Blessing Purification Ceremony
The resort is located high up overlooking the jungle, and it’s convenient to take a cable car down to the Ayung River where you can experience the Blessing Purification Ceremony. The lush green view as you slowly descend in the cable car like a rattan basket was very pleasant : ) I headed to Ayung River with trepidation, feeling the movement and scent of nature, such as birdsong, grass swaying in the wind, and the scent of flowers.
After taking the cable car down, you’ll see the spa, and from here you’ll have to walk down. The path is a bit rough, so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothes. It’s also a good idea to bring a hat to shield you from the sun and some water.
The staff will give you instructions, so just follow them. After a long walk down the stairs, you’ll arrive at a place with a sacred river. The view of the river and the waterfall is really stunning. This is a place where you can not only perform purification rituals, but also experience a private spa, private dining, and you can even swim in the Ayung River : )
After a few moments of catching your breath and looking at the stunning scenery, the blessing purification ceremony will soon begin. The ceremony is performed by a traditional Balinese priest to purify the body and mind using the water of the Ayung River, which has been said to flow with sacred energy since ancient times. The canang I made is also placed as an offering : )
The first part of the ceremony involves moving close to the waterfall and washing your face three times with the falling water. The weather was very hot, but the clear waterfall water felt so cool and refreshing.
Next, you return to the priest, spread your hands out in front of you, bow your head slightly, and he pours the blessing water over your head, which is filled with flowers. I was a little surprised that my clothes got completely wet because they poured a lot of water on me during this process 3 times 🙂 It felt good to feel something cool being washed away, and then they asked me to make a wish, so I made a heartfelt wish for my family’s health.
At the end of the ceremony, they tie the tri-colored thread used in the last ceremony around your arm. It was such a precious experience that I wore it for the rest of the long trip. One tip is that after the blessing purification ceremony, you might want to book a massage course so that you can get a massage outdoors and feel Ubud, as your legs will be a bit sore from walking down and up all those stairs.
Overall Review
I was really looking forward to the “Blessing Purification Ceremony” on my trip to Bali, and it was every bit as good as I expected it to be. It was a bit of a hike down a lot of stairs, but it was great to experience the religious culture of the Balinese people at the sacred Ayung River in the middle of the dense jungle, and it was even more meaningful to be able to make a wish for a safe and healthy journey. If you’re traveling to Ubud, Bali, I highly recommend experiencing the tea bag making and blessing purification ceremony at Nandini Jungle Resort. You’ll definitely have a lasting memory : )
