The Big Day: July 15th Pelebon

Where in the world on one day would you experience laughter, energy, brute strength, ingenuity, creativity, respect, dignity…only in Bali and only once every five years, with their cremation cycle.

Today, Tuesday July 15 was something special. Today thousands witnessed the Royal Cremations, nothing which has been seen here in Bali for the past 20 years.

Creativity overwhelmed the day, with Balinese creativity outshining all in the design of the 70 odd floats
Dignity for the manner in which the bodies and ashes of the deceased were handled
Respect by the thousands of on-lookers, foreigners and locals alike, who dressed appropriately in sarongs, kebaya and head gear
Brute strengths from the 250 000 local men who carried the two 11 ton, 7 meter tall Bades with the coffins atop; and the others who carried equally heavy sarcophagus bulls, dragons and around 70 other floats
Ingenuity by the way the human bodies twisted and manipulated their giant responsibilities around trees, power lines and the many other obstacles along the narrow Ubud streets
Energy was everywhere, not only from within the human wheels, but also from the crowds willing them on
Laughter….masses of laughter from all, when floats took the wrong turn, or hit the pole or obstacle. Cheers and clapping when they solved the problem and moved forward

A day to remember…. And as I write this, we have only just begun our journey….

*from the point-of-view of CML

Approaching the D-day: Pelebon Minus 1

With all the mayhem around the world, Bali's cultural center, Ubud, is facing its own mayhem, with the massive royal cremations here tomorrow. But unlike most other places around the world, this Bali mayhem is calm, beautiful and festive. The narrow streets of Ubud are almost at a stand still. Cars, motorbikes, trucks... with spaces between filled with bodies and sarong covered legs... and yet seldom a tooting car horn for the long waits everyone is enduring.

Adjacent to the Royal Palace are the two massive 29 meters high shrines (Bade) which will carry the deceased royals. They have been lovingly built by the local community and taken months, but will be destroyed in minutes tomorrow, when they are set alight so send their Royals to their new world.

What's amazing is the calmness of the Balinese trying to prepare for tomorrow, building these immensely elaborate structures amongst thronging international tourists and local Indonesian sightseers. I have not witnessed anyone raising their voice or asking people to move. The work just carries on around the tourists.

There is music everywhere and I am told its a time of happiness and celebration... this is a trait the Balinese just slip into so easily at anytime.

The streets are so narrow its going to be a master feat to maneuver these huge structures with their golden wings up the street. All the power lines are to be removed tomorrow just for this event, another amazing feat which is taken in typical Balinese stride.

This is an amazing spectacle. And although its not put on as a tourist event, but a traditional local ceremony, one just cannot miss this. It's going to be a long day tomorrow.

*from the point-of-view of CML

Media Update (July 14, 2008)

The Latest

On July 13, 2008, Puri Agung Ubud family members and relatives held special processions in conjunction with the upcoming Pelebon ceremony on July 15, 2008.

Ngening Ceremony
Another procession was conducted this morning to the deep spring in Tjampuhan to collect holy water that will be used to symbolically shower the royal deceased.

Mendak Naga Banda
Hundreds of people, including royal family members and relatives and Ubud locals, walked in a parade to bring the 7-meter long dragon-like creature Naga Banda from Merajan Agung Peliatan to the throne of the Puri Agung Ubud royal deceased. Before Naga Banda was taken from Merajan Agung Peliatan, it had to be symbolically put to death, separating its soul from the body and other earth elements.

Naga Banda Munggah to Sumanggen
As soon as it arrived in Puri Agung, Naga Banda was brought to Sumanggen – the throne of the deceased, before being taken to the cremation site.

Media events and activities
Ceremonies held today in connection with the Pelebon of Puri Agung Ubud:

Monday, July 14, 2008
• 8:00 a.m. (Bali Time) – last Ngening ceremony in Tjampuhan
• 8:00 p.m. (Bali Time) – ritual lighting of lanterns to pay tribute to Pelebon ceremonies

Note: For coverage, please contact the Media Center beforehand to obtain access to ceremonial sites. On July 14 at 2 p.m. (Bali Time), Media Center will arrange a site survey for the media to secure positions for coverage during the ceremony (meeting point at the Media Center)


Tuesday, July 15, 2008
• 6:00 a.m. (Bali Time) – placement of the roof of the 28.5-meter Bade in Puri Agung Ubud
• 1:00 p.m. (Bali Time) – early procession to the cremation site during which a ritual releasing of arrows called Manah Naga Banda will be performed by a pedanda (high priest)
• 2:00 p.m. (Bali Time) – cremation at the Setra Dalem
• 7:00 p.m. (Bali Time) – procession to Sunrise beach in Sanur (Pantai Matahari Terbit) to release the remains of the deceased on the beach


Other Information

Access to Ubud

• Until July 14, 2008, access to Ubud will be closed except from the Kadewatan area
Shuttle buses to Ubud will be provided at 10:00 a.m. (Bali Time) from the Bali Tourism Board Office, Jl. Raya Puputan 41, Renon, Denpasar

• On July 15, 2008, all access to Ubud will be completely closed for the whole day.
Media will be provided transportation, departing from Bali Tourism Board office at 7:30 a.m. (Bali Time)

Media Update (July 12, 2008)

The latest

Media Conference
The Royal Cremation Ceremony Media Center conducted a media conference on July 11, 2008 in Ubud, Bali, with the following spokespersons Ministry of Tourism Director General for Marketing Dr. Sapta Nirwandar and Puri Agung Ubud spokespersons Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa and Tjokorda Krishna Sudharsana.


The quotes

“The Government of Indonesia highly values the diversity, traditional heritage, and cultural richness of Indonesia. We are consistently supporting significant events, including the Royal Cremation ceremony in Ubud on July 15, 2008,” stated Ministry of Tourism Director General for Marketing Dr. Sapta Nirwandar.

“The family members are highly appreciative of the commitment shown by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through its support in ensuring our ceremony and its cultural significance is sensitively shared with others well beyond our community” said Puri Agung Ubud spokesperson Tjokorda Krishna Sudharsana.

“We are very happy that the media and public have been enthusiastic about the ceremony. This is such huge event, attracting people from across Indonesia and around the world. Approximately 500 police officers will be deployed to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly and peacefully,” said Head of Ubud Patrol Police offices Tjokorda Gde Raka.

Media events and activities

Series of Ceremonies prior to the Royal Cremation Ceremony (Pelebon)

• A journey to pick up the mythical dragon-like creature Naga Banda
  Sunday, 13 July 2008, 3:00 p.m. (Bali Time)
  Commencing at Puri Merajan Agung Peliatan
• Arrival of the Naga Banda at the home of the deceased who will be lifted to Sumanggen (the throne of the deceased before being taken to the cremation location)
  Sunday, 13 July 2008, 5:00 p.m. (Bali Time)
  Ending at Puri Agung, Ubud
  Note: For the coverage of any events, please confirm to the Media Center beforehand to obtain access to ceremonial sites.

Other Information

Transportation
Shuttle buses to Ubud will be provided on a daily basis:

• July 12 – 14, 2008, 10.00 a.m. (Bali Time) from the Bali Tourism Board Office, Jln. Raya Puputan 41, Renon, Denpasar

Access to Ubud

• From July 12 to July14, 2008, access to Ubud will be closed gradually except from the Kadewatan area
• On July 15, 2008, all access to Ubud will be completely closed for the whole day.
  Media will be provided transportation, departing from Bali Tourism Board office at 7:30 a.m. (Bali Time)

Venerated Bull Effigy

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A glimpse of what will be an elaborately decorated and venerated bull effigy (Lembu).

Human Precision

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Only human eye for art and beauty can produce this Bade. No machine can come close.

The 28.5 meter, 11 ton Bade

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The 28.5 meter, 11 ton Bade starts to take shape thanks to the dedicated work of the people in Ubud.

Gigantic Bade

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The gigantic scaffolding is used to build the tower (Bade) and will also be used to place the body of the deceased inside the Bade. This is a traditional and magnificent way to construct a Bade, a representation of the Balinese universe.

Celebration of Life

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For the men of Ubud, preparing for Pelebon is not hard labor but a celebration of culture.

Preparing Bade

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One part of the ceremonial cremation tower (Bade). The color yellow, when combined with white, means divinity, symbolizing the journey back to purity.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism Opens Royal Cremation Ceremony Media Center

Media Release

Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Opens
Royal Cremation Ceremony Media Center

UBUD, July 10, 2008 – The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) today opened a media center for Indonesian and international media covering the Royal Cremation Ceremony.

The Center provides professional communication facilities, first hand, accurate, and timely facts about the Royal Cremation and related ceremonies, the Balinese Royal Family, and other information of interest to the media. Services offered also include assistance to the digital media.

Staffed by experienced communications professionals, the Center is located at Wantilan Water Palace, Puri Saraswati Ubud, Jl Raya Ubud, the Lotus Café Area, Ubud, Bali. Open every day from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. until conclusion of the final ceremony on Tuesday July 15, 2008. Additional services offered by the media center include a daily schedule of events and blog sites http://royalpelebon.blogspot.com (English) and http://pelebonkerajaan.blogspot.com (Indonesian).

Media seeking accreditation and/or other information about the Ceremony should contact the Center direct on [Tel:] +62 361 970855 and [Fax] +62 361 970 866.


About The Royal Cremation Ceremony:
The Royal Cremation Ceremony honors the lives of three members of the Balinese Royal Family and will be held in Puri Ubud, Bali on July 15, 2008. Dubbed a “Celebration of Life,” the four-day event begins on July 12 and culminates in the Cremation Ceremony on July 15, 2008. The last royal cremation held in Ubud took place in 1979.

Note to Editor
On July 12-14, 2008, access to Ubud will be limited, while on July 15th, 2008 all access will be closed for full day. Media center staff would be able to assist you to enter Ubud during those days.

For further information:
The Royal Cremation Media Center
National media:
Fannie Waldhani (+62812 810 0525)
Tania Hapsari (+62817 998 9384)

International media:
Rizal Adhitia (+62813 153 00510)
Cynthia Setianto (+62817 497 7720)

Working Together to Build The Tower (Bade)

Ubud, Bali, July 10, 2008 – Hundreds of local artists and community members have worked together to build the tower (Bade) that will be part of the massive parade for the Royal Cremation Ceremony (Pelebon) on July 15, 2008 in Ubud, Bali. The 28.5 meter high, 11 ton Bade is made of bamboo and betel nut (pinang).

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Naga Banda

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Naga Banda is a symbol for the Royal Cremation Ceremony. The Naga (dragon) has been reserved for members of the Royal families only, with the purpose to carry the soul of the departed on its way to heaven. Naga Banda will be one of the vehicles for the departed that will be cremated on July 15, 2008, in Ubud, Bali.

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