The birth of a child surely brings happiness to both parents and extended family. Because children are considered as carriers of fortune as well as successors. In Bali, there is a tradition practiced by every community, especially Hindus, in celebrating the birth of a child. It's called the Nelu Bulanin Ceremony. What does this ceremony look like? Let’s read the following review.

Nelu Bulanin Ceremony

Nyambutin or Upcara Nelu Bulanin is carried out by the parents of the baby as a form of gratitude to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa for the birth of the child as a new member in the family. This ceremony is held when the baby turns 3 months or 105 days. The 3 month-old baby is calculated based on the Balinese calendar. In one Balinese calendar month, there are 35 days. Nelu Bulanin is only done when the child is 3 months old, because at this time, the Balinese believe that the senses of the baby have begun to be active. So that it affects the level of spiritual purity of the child. This is considered the right time to start introducing the child to religious rituals.

This ceremony isn’t held at the temple, but at home. Because babies who haven’t yet undergone the Nelu Bulanin process are considered to be in a condition of being deformed or unholy. Because it is still in the status of a womb, the baby is not allowed to be taken to the temple. At least, there are several stages carried out in this ceremony. The first, baby is bathed and then the parents put on the Selaka Bracelet to the baby. After that, they continue to do mature piuning or praying in the holy place at home (sanggah merajan) led by a Pedanda. After the prayer is over, the Pertiwi Ceremony (or called turun tanah) is held in the yard of the house and catur sanak, where the place where placenta is buried. The Pertiwi Ceremony begins by confining the baby in a chicken cage as a symbol of the baby still in the mother's womb. After the cage is opened, then it is considered born in purity and ready to face Ida Betara Guru. After this series of processions is finished, both parents will give and announce the child's name to the family.

The Nelu Bulanin ceremony is also equipped with various offerings, complete with ducks and chickens. In carrying out this ceremony, the Pedanda will recite various mantras that serve to purify the baby. The mantra is a prayer addressed to the gods so that the baby can grow and develop into a healthy and dedicated person to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, ancestors, parents, family, homeland and nation.

This tradition of Nelu Bulanin has been carried down for generations since ancient times. Not only is it done to preserve the heritage of the ancestors, but also as a form of parental gratitude to Sang Hyang Widhi, who has bestowed the child as an heir. Because this is an important part of the journey of Hindu-Balinese life, you can find the implementation of this ceremony on various occasions during your holiday in Bali.