The cremation, also known as "Ngaben" or "Pelebon", is one of the most famous and spectacular religious festivals in Bali. The cremation ceremony holds paramount importance in the lives of the Balinese people.
Beyond the rituals that follow, this ceremony marks the final stage of the human life cycle and must be carried out with precision in both the visible (sekala) and invisible (niskala) worlds.
Ubud was the setting for a grand cremation ceremony in honor of "Tjokorda Bagus Santaka", who passed away on February 2, 2024. He was the eldest son of Tjokorda Agung Suyasa, who held the position of guardian of the Ubud Royal Palace. The ceremony took place on Sunday, April 14, 2024, attracting thousands of Balinese people as well as international tourists. All members of the royal community gathered to collectively carry the Lembu (large bull), the Naga Banda (symbolic dragon), and the Bade (cremation tower), specially constructed for the occasion. A master of ceremonies provided information via microphone during the event.
The preparations for this massive cremation mobilized the local population for several months, with meticulous construction, decoration, and arrangement work. The tower stood over 25 meters high. The ceremony began around 11 a.m., following the arrival of the crowd from 10 a.m. Participants were dressed in ceremonial attire, adhering to local customs by wearing a sarong and a "selendang" scarf.
Throughout the procession, family members sprinkled the crowd with sacred water, contributing to the purification of the environment. The funeral procession moved from the Ubud Royal Palace to the cemetery of the Dalem Puri Temple in Peliatan. Despite the importance of maintaining stability, the carriers ensured that the structures moved slightly to ward off evil spirits and ensure the peaceful passage of the deceased's spirit to the afterlife.
The atmosphere was filled with joy as men busied themselves carrying the temporary structures, including the elaborately decorated cremation tower, as well as the bull and dragon, royal symbols that are rarely displayed in public.
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