"Tumpek Landep", a day for metal goods

DENPASAR (indo.com): November 15, 2003 is a special day set aside on the Balinese calendar to give thanks to Sang Hyang Pasupati, Lord of heirlooms, for the creation of metal goods.

On that day, specific offerings are made in the home for kitchen implements, garden tools and metallic parts of machinery, vehicles and the like. Builders generally take a day off to make offerings for their work tools.

This special day for Balinese Hindu people is called "Tumpek Landep" day, devoted to Sang Hyang Pasupati, Lord of heirlooms, weapons and metal tools for proper function and magical power. The celebration is held at every house compound and temple.

With these offerings, special prayers are said to pray to God so that these material things continue to be strong and bring good fortune to their owners.

Within the family temples where heirlooms such as krisses (wavy double-bladed daggers) and other weapons are kept, offerings are made to ensure the continued magical power of these implements.

The kris is considered a standard part of traditional Balinese dress. During a wedding ceremony the groom will wear one across his back if the family has one, and you can see them on most of the male characters in Balinese dances, operas and dramas.

Offerings are also given to any kind of vehicles after being cleaned. It would be a good opportunity for travelers to Bali to witness how thousands of cars, motorbikes, computers and other metal items are fully decorated with the offerings and ornaments made from young coconut leaves.