Karangasem – A traditional cleansing ceremony is set to take place in the Purwayu village of Karangasem, Bali, following a romantic incident involving a foreign couple at the revered Candi Bentar temple in Pura Lempuyang a few days ago, as reported by detik.com.
The ritual comes after a pair of foreign tourists were captured in a photograph engaging in a passionate kiss at Candi Bentar, causing a swift reaction from the local community and religious leaders.
Bendesa Adat (village chief) of Purwayu, I Nyoman Jati, stated that the cleansing ceremony was decided upon by all religious leaders and locals to restore the sanctity of the area where the tourists were seen kissing. “We aim to purify and cleanse the specific area at Pura Lempuyang where the tourists displayed such behavior,” said Jati on Thursday (July 27, 2023).
According to Jati, the incident occurred approximately three days ago, and the guides present were unable to intervene quickly enough.
The Purwayu village authorities swiftly investigated the matter and coordinated with relevant parties, but the identities of the foreign couple involved remain unknown.
Jati emphasized that the village had already cautioned tourists to behave appropriately while visiting Pura Lempuyang. However, some individuals still display inappropriate behavior within the sacred grounds.
In response to the incident, the Purwayu village plans to tighten surveillance at the Candi Bentar area, particularly concerning tourists taking photos. “This incident serves as a lesson for the future to avoid any such recurrence,” Jati added.
The photo of the foreign couple kissing at Candi Bentar in Pura Lempuyang, located in the Tribuana village, Abang District, Karangasem, went viral on social media. Netizens criticized the tourists’ actions, considering Pura Lempuyang as a place of worship.
Candi Bentar Pura Lempuyang is a popular tourist attraction in Karangasem, Bali, where visitors can take photos with the majestic backdrop of Mount Agung. The site’s popularity often leads to long queues, with tourists sometimes waiting for 2-3 hours to capture the perfect shot.