Background
The Ubud Royal family is currently conducting a series of ceremonies in Ubud, Bali, culminating in a unique Royal Cremation (pelebon) procession and Celebration of Life, which will take place on July 15, 2008. The pelebon ceremony will be held for the bodies of two prominent elders of the family:
• TJOKORDA GDE AGUNG SUYASA who was head of the Ubud Royal Family and a leader of the traditional community in Ubud since 1976
• TJOKORDA GEDE RAKA was a senior officer in the Denpasar Police Department until his retirement in 1992.
The effigy of DESAK RAKA (GUNG NIANG RAKA), whose body was cremated in a smaller ceremony in December 2007 soon after she passed away, will also be given a full cremation ceremony.
The latest
- On July 15, 2008, the 28.5 meters and 11 tons in weight of tower (bade) is a symbol for three levels of life – earth (bhur), body (bwah), soul (swah).
- The bade will be carried by 250 people who will take turns carrying the bade in every 100 meters during the 1 kilometer parade to the cemetery (Setra)
- The parade of vehicles for the departed will consist of 71 various symbols, compromising oxen (Lembu), dragon (Naga Banda), lion, horse, etc and 2 towers (Bade)
- The preparation for the ceremony takes three months, a huge collaboration amongst hundreds of local communities from four villages in Ubud and many others from surrounding areas in Bali
- The ceremonial offerings that consist of staple foods – ducks, eggs, coconut leaves, etc – are obtained from other regions, including Banyuwangi
- And to live up the spirit of Royal Cremation Ceremony, Puri Agung Ubud has assembled more than 800 musicians to be part of the parade with the Royal members and those 68 people who have departed
- There will also be 20 troops from Solo Sultanate who will be part of the Pelebon Parade on July 15, 2008, as a show of tribute to the deceased
The quote
“This grand ceremony is one of our demonstrations of collaboration of energy, sense, aura, respect and dedication to our family members. As part of the Indonesian culture, we want this ceremony to be experienced by others, so they can feel the respect and high devotion we put into this. We highly appreciate all the support that was given to us, including from the Government to make our ceremony be part of others outside our communities and outside of Bali,” said Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa, Puri Agung Ubud Representative.
Media events and activities
Media Conference
Friday, July 11, 2008, 14:00 a.m. – 15:30 p.m. (Bali Time)
Venue: The Royal Cremation Ceremony Media Center, Ubud, Bali
Speakers: Ministry of Culture and Tourism Director General for Marketing Dr. Sapta Nirwandar, Ubud Royal Family spokespersons Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa and Tjokorda Khrisna Sudharsana
Series of Ceremonies before the Royal Cremation Ceremony (Pelebon
- Procession of the remains to Sumanggen (throne of the deceased before taken to the cremation location)
Puri Agung Ubud, Saturday, July 12, 2008, 0.12 a.m. (Bali Time) - Journey to pick up Naga Banda at Merajan Agung Puri Peliatan
Puri Merajan Agung Peliatan, Sunday, July 13, 2008, 3:00 p.m. (Bali Time - Arrival of Naga Banda at the home of the deceased to be lifted to Sumanggen
Puri Agung Ubud, Sunday, July 13, 2008, 5:00 p.m. (Bali Time) - Rituals to turn on lampion lights to pay respect to The Royal Cremation Ceremony procession
Puri Agung Ubud, Monday, July 14, 2008, 8:00 p.m. (Bali Time)
Note: For the coverage of any events, please confirm to the Media Center beforehand to obtain access to ceremonial sites.
Series of Ceremonies before the Royal Cremation Ceremony (Pelebon)
Puri Agung Ubud, Bali, Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 0:12 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Bali Time)
The Royal Cremation Ceremony Media Center
Operational hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Local Time)
Wantilan Water Palace
Puri Saraswati Ubud
Jl. Raya Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Telp: +62361 970 855
Fax: +62361 970 866
For interview arrangment and more information, please contact Cynthia Setiato (+62817 497 7720) and Fannie Waldhani (+62812 810 0525).
Other Information
Transportation
Shuttle busses to Ubud will be provided on a daily basis:
Bali Tourism Board Office, Jln. Raya Puputan Renon, Denpasar
- July 11, 2008 at 12:00 (Bali Time)
- July 12 - 14, 2008, 10:00 (Bali Time)
Ngurah Rai Airport
- July 11, 2008, 10:00 (Bali Time)
Access to Ubud
- Please be informed that on July 12 – 14, 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 a full day
Because of the closure on July 15, 2008, it is strongly recommended for the media to gather at the designated meeting point at Bali Tourism Board office, Jl. Raya Puputan No. 41, Renon, Denpasar at 7.30 a.m. (Bali Time) to depart together with the official TRCC shuttle bus.
Hotels
Please note that media covering The Royal Cremation Ceremony event will be responsible for their own hotel bookings.
Dress Code
Media are obliged to wear the following proper attire to all ceremonies:
• Male: Sarong, white shirt, Udeng (Balinese hat)
• Female: Kebaya/white shirt, sarong, waist slayer
The attire will be provided at the Media Center before the media conference on July 11, 2008.
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