A purification ceremony in Bali is trending on TikTok. While some locals welcome the interest, others are concerned that their religion is becoming a wellness trend.

The 11th-Century Mengening Temple lies nestled at the bottom of the Pakerisan River valley near Ubud, Bali. Carpeted with moss, the Unesco Heritage site appears to blend into the natural surrounds. The only sound that can be heard within the grounds is the rushing of spring water as it spills out of the temple’s ancient waterspouts into the deep pools below.

Very little has appeared to have changed here for centuries.

Except now, winding their way through the holy water pools are lines of sarong-clad Westerners who take it in turns to dutifully place their heads underneath the spouts of ice-cold holy water in an attempt to cleanse their mind, body and soul.

Balinese Hindus believe the Malukat ceremony (also spelt melukat), which involves prayers, a blessing by a priest and being doused with holy water, helps you find inner peace. And since the end of the pandemic, increasing numbers of Westerners have been flying to the tropical island of Bali to take part in this ancient purification ceremony.