Tumpek Uduh Ceremony, A Meaningful Ritual To Preserve Nature

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Tumpek Uduh Ceremony, A Meaningful Ritual To Preserve Nature.

In Hinduism, people aren’t only carrying out ceremonies to worship Lord Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. But there are also special ceremonies intended for saints, animals, and plants. In this article, the ceremony that will be discussed is the Tumpek Uduh Ceremony. A ceremony that is only performed for plants to preserve nature.

Tumpek Uduh Ceremony 

This ceremony is performed in the context of worshiping God in its manifestation as Dewa Sangkara as the plant god. The purpose of Hindus to deliver this ceremony is to thank Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa for having created plants. They also beg to God so that the plants are able to reproduce well. So it can be useful for humans, and can also be used as an offering on Galungan Day.

Tumpek Uduh is also called Tumpek Bubuh, Tumpek Wariga, and Tumpek Pengatag. It’s celebrated by Hindus every 210 days, or 25 days before Galungan, or on the Kliwon Wariga Sanskrit Day. As gratitude, Hindus offer offerings in the form of fruit and flowers, and marrow porridge (made from rice flour, sprinkled with coconut and brown sugar. Tumpek Uduh is a local wisdom of the ancestors so that the residents will protect the environment by always planting trees in the yard. So, it can also be interpreted that the ritual of this ceremony is one of the Balinese efforts to preserve the environment. 

In general, this ceremony is carried out in yards or plantations where trees are useful for human life. The usual ceremony is carried out from the morning, afternoon, until late afternoon on all types of plants. Usually, parents will invite their children to participate in this ceremony. The goal is to teach the child to always care for and plant trees when they grow up so that environmental sustainability will be guaranteed at all times. 

If explored further, this ceremony has a deep meaning. It teaches humanity to be grateful for the harmony that helps humans live in the natural world of life. Respecting and appreciating the earth and everything in it, especially the existing plants. It gives a sign and deep meaning so that humans will always love nature and the environment which has contributed to sustaining their lives.