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)

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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