House blessing ceremony in Amed
Marking a significant milestone in the Vesica Villa Celuke project, we celebrated the handover of Villa #8 with a house blessing ceremony in Amed. Respecting local traditions and following the wishes of the proud owner, the celebration was set on a special day and shared by the team that made it all possible.
Melaspas house blessing ritual
In Balinese Hinduism, every new building, whether a humble home or a luxurious villa, must undergo a Melaspas house blessing ceremony to cleanse it of negative energies and align it with the spiritual forces that permeate Bali.
The term Melaspas comes from two Balinese words: Mela, meaning “bad” or “negative,” and Pas, meaning “to purify.” This ritual ensures the space is free from bhuta kala (negative elements) and blessed with positive energy for its future inhabitants.
A sacred beginning in Amed
During the house blessing ceremony of Villa #8, the Melaspas was a vibrant celebration of Balinese culture, blending intricate rituals, heartfelt prayers, and community spirit.
It’s a tradition that reflects Bali’s philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, the harmonious balance between humans, nature, and the divine.
Key rituals of the house blessing ceremony
- Purification with Holy Water (Tirta): The pemangku sprinkled holy water, known as tirta pelukatan, throughout the Villa to cleanse it spiritually. This sacred water, representing the flow of divine energy, purified every corner of the property, from the open-plan living spaces to the private garden.
- Offerings to the Spirits: Intricate banten (offerings) were presented to honor the gods and appease the spirits of the land. These included fruits, rice, and flowers, each carrying symbolic meaning; rice for prosperity, flowers for beauty, and incense to carry prayers to the heavens. In Amed, where the land is tied to both the sea and the rice fields, offerings often include elements that honor Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice and fertility.
- Chanting and Mantras: The pemangku led rhythmic chants in ancient Sanskrit, invoking blessings from deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—the trinity central to Balinese Hinduism. The sound of the conch shell, or sankha, reverberated through the air, believed to purify the space and summon divine presence.
- Blessing the Inhabitants: As part of the ritual, the priest blessed the future inhabitants of the villa, placing rice on their foreheads for good fortune and tying threads on their wrists to symbolize strength and protection. This act ensures that those who live in or visit the villa are enveloped in positive energy.
- Community Procession: In true Balinese fashion, the ceremony was a communal affair. Neighbors and workers from our development joined the procession, carrying offerings and sweeping the villa’s grounds to symbolically cleanse it. The sense of togetherness was palpable, reflecting Amed’s tight-knit community spirit.
A feast of thanks and gratitude
No Balinese ceremony is complete without a communal meal, and the Melaspas for the house blessing ceremony of the villa in Amed culminated in a heartfelt feast that brought together the Vesica Villas team, the dedicated construction staff, and the new owners.
This shared meal, known as Megibung, is a cherished tradition in Bali, symbolizing unity, gratitude, and the strengthening of community bonds.
The pemangku blessed the food before eating began, offering prayers to thank Dewi Sri for abundance and to ensure the meal fostered harmony among all present.
The Vesica Villas team, who had poured their passion into the project, sat shoulder-to-shoulder with the construction staff, whose craftsmanship brought the villa to life.
The owners, welcomed as part of the Amed community, shared stories and laughter. They will forever be in our thoughts as we remain connected by a shared feeling of gratitude.
Summary: House blessing ceremony in Amed
During the handing over of Villa #8 on the Vesica Villas Celuke development, our team shared an amazing moment with the new owners during a traditional house blessing ceremony in Amed’s flagship villa complex.
Staying true to local traditions and Hinsu customs, the priest (pemangku) performed a series of rituals to cleanse the property as the owners moved in to spend time in their new luxury villa.
With development now fully sold out, the team is now focused on completing and handing over the remaining villas on this stunning villa complex located in the very heart of Amed, Bali.