Mandi Bunga: Flower Bath

‘Mandi bunga’ or ‘flower bath’ is a popular cleansing ritual in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. It is believed to carry the elements of dynamism and Hindu-Buddhism.

Dynamism is the believe of a ‘spirit’ inside human, animal, plants, living things, words being pronounced or written, recorded signs etc. In anthropology, this is also known as ‘mana’ taken from Polynesia tribe. This is known as ‘sahala’ by the Batak, ‘kesakteri’ or kesaktian by the Javanese; while the Malays address mana as ‘semangat’.

In Hindu belief, the plants have many uses in rituals in everything undertaken. Lime works to expel ghosts and demons, while the round-oval shape represents the world as the 'chakra' in a macrocosm in occultisme Hindu philosophy.

The purpose of flower bath ritual is normally meant to remove bad luck, to ward off spirits and subsequently increase a person’s aura in the hope to attract luck. It is believed that the leaves, flowers (7 pieces for Malay, 5 pieces for Thai), lime coupled with prayers will produce ‘mana’ that can attract the desired results. There are many variety of flower bath ritual in South-East Asia.

A Traditional Flower Bath Ritual:

1.      Sundal Malam (Polianthes tuberose)

2.      Mawar (Rose)

3.      Cempaka (Magnolia champaca)

4.      Bunga Kenanga (Ylang flowers)

5.      Bunga Tanjung (Mimusops elengi)

6.      Bunga Melur (Jasmine)

7.      Bunga kesidang (canangrium scortechinii )

The 7 types of flowers are dismembered and entered into a container filled with water; add 7 drops of non-alcohol perfume. After that recite:

1.      Bismillah

2.      Selawat

3.      Ayat Kursi 3x

4.      Four Qul

5.      Surah Al-Nur

Stir the water while performing the above prayer.

Leave this flower water over night. Take the bath early at dawn. After taking the flower bath, it is customary to take the dawn bath ready for prayer.

This ritual is best to be performed during full moon.