FACULTYLanguage and Arts (FBS) Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) held piodalan ageng at the local Parahyangan, Saturday (10/9/2022), coinciding with the third Purana. The ceremony that was held looked special. What’s that like?
In the afternoon, the FBS Undiksha campus which is located on Jalan A. Yani Singaraja seemed crowded. On the lecture day off, the academic community came and went. Wearing Balinese traditional clothing, complete with carrying offering to be presented at Parahyangan. Dharma Gita and gamelan also accompany. The sacredness of the ceremony is getting stronger.
Not much different from the piodalan stages in general. When it was getting late in the afternoon, a ceremony was held-courtship, mendak, kale hias, lingihang, and continues offering devotional service, and sermons.
This ceremony is very special. Not only because it is held once every ten years but it is a moment that has been eagerly awaited, especially by the FBS Undiksha academic community. Moreover, non-Hindu students from the Free Student Exchange (PMM) program were also present. Students from various universities in Indonesia were invited to witness ceremonial processions, such as the Sidakarya mask performance. This mask appears as the final dance offering (wewalen) before the prayer ceremony begins. In addition, there are also those who appear on stage togethersekaaBondres Rare Kual.
PMM students who consist of various study programs do not watch from a distance. They mingled among Hindu Undiksha students. The atmosphere of familiarity and harmony seemed very strong. The atmosphere depicts togetherness and tolerance in the midst of a pluralistic nation.
Anisatul Mardhiyah, a PMM student also witnessed this ceremony. She admitted that this moment could give her deeper knowledge about Balinese culture. “At first we didn’t know, we had never witnessed it firsthand. It turns out that there are lots of cultures in Bali. So we really excited in our opinion, the event is exciting,” she said.
At this moment, she, who came from Semen Indonesia International University, felt a very strong tolerance. Another student, Mestina Br. Gea also felt the same thing. She, who is from Prima Indonesia University, Medan, sees this atmosphere as showing diversity. “Here you can see the diversity of fish. Strong mutual tolerance. Proud of Undiksha. We didn’t expect to be able to participate, let alone participate here, and that is a great honor for us,” she said.
Dean of FBS Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Made Sutama, M.Pd., said that his party had invited PMM students to witness the implementation of this ceremony, as well as to get to know the religious traditions of the Hindu community, especially in Bali and Balinese culture. “Hopefully this will add insight into their Indonesianness after being at Undiksha,” he said.
According to him, this moment was extraordinary. How can students from various ethnic groups come without seeing the ceremony as something very religious? This is considered to reflect the fact that tolerance is growing well. “This is a form of implementation of harmony framed in Tri Hita Karana. On the other hand, through this ceremony, we can bring ourselves closer and harmonize our relationship with God. The Pas that was present was extraordinary, on the other side of Pawongan, it also went very well. This is a sign that what is determined by the leadership of Undiksha is increasingly successful for us to implement,” concluded the Dean from Ubud, Gianyar Regency. (hms)
