Nusa Gede conserves the sea through "Nyepi Segara"

The people of Nusa Gede which consists of Nusa Penida, lembongan, and ceningan Island will hold “Nyepi Segara” or nyepi at the sea on the fouth full moon. The ritual is conducted in order to conserve the sea.

The ritual was held in Dalem Ped temple in Nusa Penida on Sunday, October 4th 2009. “Nyepi Segara” is similar with the regular nyepi day where no one allowed to conduct any activities in the sea for one whole day.I Wayan Sukasta, the vice of the committee of the ritual, said “all ships transportation from and to Nusa Gede was stopped.

All activities at sea were not allowed so there was no fishermen or sea weed farmers went to the sea on that day, but the activities on the land can be carried out as usual.”He explained that “Nyepi Segara” is the form of gratitude towards God in his manifestation as Baruna God, the protector of the sea. During “Nyepi Segara”, Baruna God is conducting yoga in order to produce “tirta amertha” or the holy water.“All activities including touching the sea water is prohibited during the nyepi day,” Sukasta said.

“Nyepi Segara” is also an offort by the people of Nusa Gede to conserve the environment. It was the tradition that already existed since 1600’s during the time of King Waturenggong.The ritual was held in two different places, Dalem Ped temple and Batu Medau temple because both of the temples are the biggest temples in Nsa Gede area.

Sukasta explained that the ritual started by Mepepade ceremony where all offerings being purified. Then followed by Mapekelem ceremony where the Hindus put the offerings on the sea.The ceremony is the symbol of gratitude toward God. The people of Nusa Gede know two kind of Nyepi. The first one is the regular Nyepi like the Hindus throughout Bali and the other is the Nyepi Segara.

I Made Sudiarkajaya, the head of Nusa Penida village, said that “Nyepi Segara” could become a tourism attraction for the tourists visited Nusa Penida. The ritual will be developed so it can support in making Nusa penida as the marine tourism area.He said that the Nyepi Segara had been acknowledged by the government. The Klungkung Government had donated fund to support the ritual. The government wanted to conserve the local decency by preserving the nature and environment especially the sea.

Marthen Willy, the manager of The Nature of Conservation (TNC) program in Nusa Penida, said that the ritual was suitable with the TNC program. Willy hopes that the government develops and promotes “Nyepi Segara” activities in order to attract the local to conserve the sea and tourists to visit the island.

News by International Bali Post

source : http://balivillasrentals.com/balinews/2009/10/nusa-gede-conserves-the-sea-through-%E2%80%9Cnyepi-segara%E2%80%9D/