Indonesia has been selected as the host of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF), which will be held in Bali from May 18 to 25, 2024.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy said that world delegates would be introduced to the melukat procession. Melukat has spiritual significance to the Balinese people and has become popular recently.
Minister Sandiaga Uno said that in President Joko Widodo’s last term, all relevant ministries will go all out to prepare various kinds of support for the big celebration. It is expected to be an unforgettable experience for the delegates who attend.
“We see that water is important in the lives of Indonesian people, especially in Bali and many parties want a side event of the melukat ritual,” he said.
In addition to melukat, the government will conduct three activities related to carbon emissions, namely mangrove planting, coral reef restoration, and integrated waste management with local.
The main goal of the 10th WWF is to strengthen Indonesia’s role in facing the challenges of climate change, water, and its impact on vital sectors.
Places to do melukat ritual in Bali
Governor of Bali Sang Made Mahendra Jaya mapped out several places for melukat or Balinese local wisdom.
One of the melukat locations uses the holy spring water, namely Tirta Empul Temple in Tampaksiring District, Gianyar Regency.
The holy place is adjacent to the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace and near the temple there is also a melukat place, namely at Pura Mengening.
He also hopes that the tradition will become a special memory for the forum delegates, which is held every three years.
“The goal is to have local wisdom, to have memories like this (how to) purify the body in sekala and niskala (belief in something visible and invisible),” he said.
The melukat agenda is included in one of the supporting agendas for the forum, which starts on May 18, 2024.
Melukat is a tradition in Bali that means purification and physical cleansing, hoping to cleanse negative or dirty things physically and spiritually.
