Siwa Ratri

Siwa Ratri........................

Siwaratri is always celebrated on the day before Tilem Sasih Kepitu, the new moon of the 7 month of the Saka Moon calendar of Bali, a day which usually falls in the month of January.

Siwaratri, often referred to as the " Night of Siwa " is an auspicious time for introspection and meditation during which the Hindus of Bali pray for forgiveness of their earthly sins and for support and strength from Siwa in order to reach their higher selves.

It strat with an opening ceremony of prayers and offerring which is performed at the kawitan, the family's home temple. The preliminary ceremony should be finished before daybreak and is followed at 6 am by, Monabrata or silence - not speaking for a period of 12 hours. Upawasa or fasting - not eating or drinking during 24 hours. Mejagra or meditation , not sleeping during 36 hours. Each of these ( non ) activities are methods that help one to learn how to be selft-aware at all times, to have self-control in all circumtance. When finished, each of them is closed with prayers and offering in home temple.

The ceremonies and activities of Siwaratri day should remind people to always be spiritually concious while facing the ups and downs of physical life, to always be ware of the fact that one is an incarnated soul. More often than not one tends to forget the true essence of one's being in the dramatic turmoil of physical life with its emotional inclinations of urges, temptation and desires.