Batukaru Temple in Bali’s most remote jungle situated in Wangaya village at Tabanan regency. Known also as Garden Temple, and I see what a beautiful landscape and huge pond in the middle of wild jungle. Cool gentle breeze and fresh air with a bright clear blue sky.
My daughter, Kirana (9 yrs old) with her dancing group got the honor to perform Rejang Dance during the temple ceremony on 15 October 2009. With my wife, Ratna and my son, Damara, we escorted her to the temple at 5 o’clock in the early morning. It was such a great experience for all of us, especially my self and my wife were able to see my daughter perform this sacred dance during the big festival.
The word Rejang means "offering" and all together Rejang Dance is self-sacrifice by way of devotion in dance. This dance is usually performed along with a big religious ceremony which takes place either inside or outside of the temple. The Rejang dancer use to be a group of young female, costumed in bright yellow and white color with headdresses made from fresh young coconut leaf decorated with flowers.
The Rejang Dance is considered to be one of sacred dance that performed only on temple festival, and human exorcism rites. According to Hindu myth the Rejang symbolize the female angels who accompany the deities come down to earth to witness the ceremony. The Rejang style is varying from region to region, you can look at the headdress and the costume of the dancer.
The Rejang dance is not performing with the audience face them, it perform to please the Gods and ancestors during their visit to witness the ceremony.
