Tumpek Wayang to be celebrated in Bali

DENPASAR (indo.om): On Saturday, March 15, Balinese Hindus are to celebrate "Tumpek Wayang", the day devoted to Sang Hyang Iswara, Lord of puppeteersOn this day blessing ceremonies are offered to puppet-play sets.

The puppets are taken from their boxes and placed in the position as if an actual performance were being given, and then blessed by the owner, who is known as a Dalang.

Meanwhile, in some areas of Bali this date is used for making offerings to musical instruments and dance equipment. But it is the shadow play puppets who receive the most attention, known in Balinese as "wayang kulit". Many families have inherited puppets from ancestors, and almost all dalangs have sets of them.

Balinese Hindus also believe that it is unlucky if a baby is born on this date, and when such an event takes place a special ceremony has to be performed in order to purify the child and protect it from harm.