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Story of Indonesia, Every Picture Tells A Story


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7 February 2011
Pelebon of the 9th Raja of Puri Agung Peliatan

The 9th Raja of Puri Agung Peliatan Bali, Ida Dwagung Peliatan, passed away on August 20th, 2010 at the age of 71. The resplendent cremation took place on November 2, 2010, eye-witnessed by thousands of people from around the globe, following dozens of extensive preparations and sacred rites. To Balinese, death is far from grievance. It is, on the contrary, an important process of transporting soul to the holy place in heaven. As a Raja of Peliatan, the king in traditional authority, formed in the 17th century, Ida Dwagung Peliatan has, on his own merits, reached to a level of a Brahma, revered by other existing traditional kingdoms, in Bali and other parts in the country.

1

Before the 11-tiered sacred tower exceptionally made for a king, tens of men as representatives of hundreds who would lift the hand-made constructions were being blessed by a priest, as tens of excited photographers captured the extraordinary moment (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

2

Bull sarcophagus spearheaded the parade as men from Banjar Pande, the creators of the highly ornamented figurine, performed the final grounding (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

3

The leading designer of the bull sarcophagus, Putu Artana, a knowledgeable local painter from Banjar Pande Village within Peliatan district. He expressed his pride and happiness in front of his nephews (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

4

On the celebration, several Asian spectators posed in their Balinese costumes, portraying the harmony between hosts and guests (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

5

Bull sarcophagus stood next to the Naga Banda, the extraordinarily resplendent dragon, the vehicle for the deceased to reach heaven (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

6

Husky and lean heaved the 1,000-kilogram bull sarcophagus for a just few meters ahead. It took more than three hours for the men to reach the court of public cemetery in Ubud, less than 2 kilometers from Peliatan (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

7

The bull was made of imported white furred leather, symbolizing the color of a Brahma, a spiritual leader. A detailed golden crown was put on the bull`s head to emphasize that the deceased was a respected king. It was ready to turn and lead the parade (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

8

Thousands of spectators filled the street of Ubud-Peliatan. There was joy and astonishment as the bull sarcophagus passed them gracefully with tens of puffed strong men (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

9

Modern motorized vehicles have lived side by side with the well-embraced traditions in Ubud, Bali. You would see many scenes like this as you walk down the sophisticated Ubud`s streets (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

10

A priest was preparing the necessary accessories prior to reciting mantras and casting his bless to the lifters sitting in a large group before him (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

11

The lifters wore their traditional layered sarongs in colors as the announcer told them to strap their shoestrings tightly to avoid unwanted mishaps during the heavy lifting (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

12

This was a celebration and everybody was free to cast their smiles. In Bali, cremation is fun, as Ketut said in Eat, Pray, and Love (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

13

One of the traditional warrior troops walked by with his keris strapped on his belt. Friendliness is what Bali has to offer besides its marvelous culture and beautiful nature (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

14

Waiting for the sun to set westward, a group of men sat on the bamboo platform of the sarcophagus (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

15

The procession could not start until the God of Sun set to the west. Balinese are very religious people and they do not cross sacred laws. The warrior dancers anticipated the proper instance (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

16

Under a very tall gazebo, two figures – the bull and the dragon – were lit aflame. The deceased king was put inside the bull sarcophagus (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

17

Two men were collapsing the unsafe structures as one of them ignited more flames to the corpse in order to have a thorough cremation process (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).

18

The highly ornamented bull and dragon were finally set into flames and ashes. To Balinese, this was a form of devotion and loyalty to both king and their belief. Therefore, they felt no remorse (photo by Anggun Nugraha/www.indonesia.travel).