A Sacred Celebration at Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati

Ubud Water Palace is a destination that offers a unique experience for every visitor. In addition to being a tourist destination, Ubud Water Palace has a temple that is revered and considered sacred by the local community. This temple is called Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati. As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, who’s known as the Goddess of Knowledge in Hinduism.

The existence of this temple is important and sacred. As a form of respect, a religious ceremony is held every 210 days based on the Balinese Pawukon calendar, commonly referred to by the locals as Piodalan. The Piodalan ceremony at Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati falls on Saniscara, which is the Balinese word for Saturday, during the wuku Landep, also known locally as Tumpek Landep.

Piodalan, or Odalan, is a day to commemorate the birth of a sacred place and expression of gratitude, reverence, and respect for the gods and spirits believed to protect and bless the community. Odalan comes from the word Piodalan, which derives from the word “wedal,” meaning to emerge or be born.

In addition to expressing gratitude to the gods and ancestors, the Piodalan ceremony at Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati also serves as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds among residents. People gather, share stories, and celebrate togetherness in an atmosphere filled with warmth and spirituality.

Not all parts of this sacred ceremony can be witnessed by tourists. For the fortunate tourists who get to see it, this becomes an unforgettable experience, where they can see firsthand how Balinese traditions and culture are maintained and preserved with great respect and love by the local community.