Melukat in Beji: Healing Tourism, Water Conservation, and Balinese Hindu Ritual

Abstract

This study explores melukat, a traditional Balinese Hindu purification ritual, focusing on its transformation into a form of healing tourism and its integral role in water conservation within sacred Beji springs. Using a qualitative approach combining ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentary analysis, the research examines how spiritual practices intersect with ecological stewardship in contemporary Bali. Findings highlight the dual function of melukat: as a ritual for spiritual and psychological purification, offering measurable therapeutic benefits such as stress reduction, improved mental well-being, and enhanced resilience; and as a cultural mechanism reinforcing community-based water conservation practices. The ritual’s sacralization of water embodies the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. While melukat attracts growing interest through tourism, this integration presents both opportunities for cultural preservation and risks of commercialization. The study argues that melukat represents a vital model of biocultural conservation, where indigenous knowledge, religious tradition, and modern sustainability converge. By aligning cultural heritage with ecological responsibility, melukat not only sustains Balinese identity but also offers insights for global sustainable tourism and environmental management practices.