AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 43 | 101 offerings go to these deities! Rahu and Ketu are also revered! In fact, every temple has them as guardians/ dwarapalakas; so too the well-heeled homes. All temple idols and sacred trees like the Peepal and Banyan have black chequered dhotis! Showing one’s legs is disrespect hence sarongs /dhoties are used to drape oneself prior to entering a temple! Our group was so attired when we visited the Dharma Vihara Temple of the ‘Reclining Buddha’ in gleaming Alabaster! Here I was awed by the huge Ashoka pillar “Praseit Ashoka” (Prasidha?) as it was termed on the first terrace; Elsewhere Buddha under a ‘Seshnag’ reminds us of the gentle fusion of Buddhist tenets with Hindu ideology. Here, we also saw a compendium of carefully nurtured ‘Bonsai’ of Firs, Cyprus, Populars and Tamarind trees in all their glory along the steps, guarded by a long dragon carved in laterite. We visited the Garuda Wisnu park where the National Icon ‘Garuda’ is seen in all his glory in fantastic detail; an aesthetic statue in Bronze towering over 121 metres atop the Ungasan hill at ULLAWATU; the exquisite sculpture with intricate details of the wings and its plumage, holds aloft a very Handsome Vishnu. So overwhelming a sight that unconsciously I chanted the Vishnu Sahasranama! Though constructions are going on at the pedestal which is to house the Museum nothing detracts the majesty of this inspiring and awesome Garuda. Ramayana is an alltime favourite scripture for the Balinese. The beautiful epic has many forms as is celebrated in their dances. There are no books, but palm leaves have the script which is generally chanted! One unusual form is the Kecak (pronounced Khechak) dance. There is no Music; however, some 30 to 40 men simply recite Kecak in sonorous lilting tones that offers melody! Guttaral intonation add to the bass effect! Seated on the stage in groups and led by a grizzled veteran, the performance was unique, the costumes and make up gorgeous; athletic moves by ‘Hanoman’ and ‘Rhavana’ were spell binding. Abduction of gentle Sita was powerful as Ravana simply hoisted her on to his burly shoulders with the kecak rising to a crescendo! ‘Tirta Empul’ is a place with Waterspouts as in Mukhtinath where a dip in the Holy springs is a must. Given the blinding rain we simply wet our toes and sprinkled the holy water over our heads.