Sacred Banyan Tree's Collapse Prompts Spiritual Ceremony at Ubud Palace

The Ubud Palace is conducting a significant Hindu purification ritual following the dramatic collapse of an ancient banyan tree on its grounds, underscoring the deep spiritual connection between Balinese culture and nature. The Mercaru Ngeresigana Kerubuhan Ceremony took place on Friday, 20 February 2026, just five days after the venerable tree fell during severe weather conditions.

According to Beritabali.com, the sacred fig tree (pohon beringin) crashed onto the palace grounds on Sunday, 15 February, following several days of intense winds that weakened its structure. The tree eventually split and collapsed in two directions, causing significant damage to buildings within the royal compound.

Understanding Bali's Balancing Ceremony

The Mecaru ceremony, also known as Butha Yadnya, is a traditional Balinese Hindu ritual designed to restore harmony and balance between humanity and the natural world. These elaborate ceremonies focus on harmonizing the five fundamental elements of nature: earth, water, air, fire, and ether.

The rituals form an intrinsic part of the island's Tri Hita Karana Philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, divine, and natural realms.

Such ceremonies are considered essential practices in Bali and are typically performed following natural disasters or significant environmental disruptions. They reflect the island's deeply rooted spiritual worldview that treats nature as sacred and deserving of reverence.

Ancient Tree's Historic Significance

Tjokorda Gede Putra Asmara Sukawati, the Caretaker (Penglingsir) of the Ubud Royal Palace, estimated that the fallen banyan tree was approximately 300 years old. The tree held profound historical importance, as it was directly linked to the founding of the Ubud Palace itself.

"We asked for advice on the next step," Sukawati stated in Balinese, emphasizing the palace's commitment to following proper spiritual guidance in response to the incident.

Restoration and Spiritual Guidance

Beyond the ceremonial response, the royal household is prioritizing the repair of damaged buildings according to both customary practices and spiritual guidelines established by community religious leaders. This dual approach—combining practical reconstruction with spiritual restoration—is typical of Balinese cultural practice.

The palace's measured response demonstrates how natural disasters in Bali are not merely treated as infrastructure problems but as events requiring spiritual and cultural remedies. The involvement of religious leaders in determining proper restoration methods reflects the island's integrated approach to healing both physical and spiritual damage.

Broader Context

The incident follows the mid-February flash flooding that affected 76 disaster sites across Bali, highlighting the island's vulnerability to extreme weather events. The banyan tree's collapse serves as another reminder of nature's power during Bali's increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

For residents and visitors alike, the Ubud Palace's response illustrates the fundamental differences in how Balinese culture approaches environmental challenges compared to Western-centric disaster management. Rather than viewing the fallen tree solely as a loss or hazard, the community recognizes it as a moment requiring spiritual recalibration and collective action to restore harmony.

Original source: Bali Discovery and Beritabali.com