Ida Bagus Raka, the man who has been conducted daily prayer and offering ritual at Maya Ubud was inaugurated as Balinese High Priest or Pendanda. The ceremony called Mediksa held on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at his residence Griya Anyar in Banjar Ambengan, Peliatan Ubud, within walking distance from the hotel.
Pedanda, the brahmana high priest of Bali, is a special person who have ability to perform and oversee a religious ceremony, serves as the connection between God and mortal. The pedanda is also the source of holy water for ceremonies and declaim as holiest prayer.
Prior his new role as Pendanda, during the past seven (7) years on he was conducting daily offering presentation at the resort first thing in the morning, this include the temple and shrines that are available at Maya Ubud. Ida Bagus Raka presented the offering to resort’s temple and all seven (7) shrines spread out along the resort sacred areas, he got the area blessed before the other staffs starting their work. He brings a bunch of flower offering with incense lit and holy water, the smell the incenses awaken the resort and refresh the area as he sprinkles the holy water.
Now he is expanding larger role in the village society and serves the village community to perform Balinese ceremonies held in the area as a high priest. His role at Maya Ubud spiritual person is now delivered to his children, who will continue to present the flower offering to start the morning.
Ida Bagus Raka when still conducting daily religious ritual at the resort
Inaugural Ceremony "Mediksa" March 9, 2008
Ida Pedanda - High Priest is conducting his new role.
Dayu, one of the children who continue his role as a spiritual person for the resort
photographs by Ngurah Sanjaya
