What'S The Secret?

• Photographer
  João Galamba
• Prizes
  Bronze in People/Culture

The "Melasti" is celebrated annually in Bali as a purification ritual, which serves to cleanse the world from sin and bad Karma, through the symbolic act of receiving "Tirta Amerta" (nectar of the Gods), which is holy water of the sea. Part of the Melasti ceremony takes place on the beach, where the "Tirta Amerta" is received and the "buana alit" (soul of each) and the "buana agung" (the earth and its creatures) are purified of bad thoughts, influences and bad Karma, being all negativity thrown into the ocean. Children do also participate in the ceremony wearing traditional costumes.