DENPASAR (indo.com): On July 13, 2002, all Balinese Hindus people will honor domestic animals, particularly cows, chickens, ducks, geese and pigs - these are considered highly valued by Balinese. This religious celebration ceremony is called Tumpek Kandang.

Those animals, especially the cows and pigs, are washed, dressed up in special clothes, and special cone-shaped spirals of coconut leaves are placed on their horns.

Pigs are usually just decorated by wrapping a white cloth about their bellies. The animals are given special food, prayers are offered and they are then sprinkled with rice and holy water, which is given by a priest. This ceremony thanks the animals for the sacrifices they make for human needs. Cows are widely used to help the farmers plough their rice fields, and pigs are associated with saving money. Most animals end up being slaughtered for Galungan and Kuningan celebrations.

Tumpek Kandang is sometimes called Tumpek Andang, and always falls on the Saturday of Uye, the 22nd week of the Balinese Hindu Pawukon cycle. The name is derived from the Balinese word "Kandang", which is the household name for animals.