Following our previous installment on the royal cremation, with this photo essay we take a look at the big day, the peak of all the preceding rituals. For more details please see our two previous blog posts.
By Rio Helmi, with thanks to photographer Agus Suka Adi Surya for his additions.
A priest consecrates the sarcophagus and the tower prior to the procession. photo©Agus Suka Adi Surya
Members of the military guard of honor assigned to the cremation. photo©Agus Suka Adi Surya
The body is carried out of the inner courtyard gate and turned over from the military guard, to waiting members of the community. photo©Rio Helmi
Tjok Gede Raka Artha Sedana, a close relative, holds the bird of paradise emblem on the ramp to the tall tower, which he will ride alongside the remains for the procession to the burning grounds. The 5-meter tall bull sarcophagus is below. photo©Rio Helmi
And off we go: siting astride the coffin, three relatives are perched high above the ground for the trip to the cremation grounds. photo©Rio Helmi
While hundreds of bearers actually carry the massive cremation tower, a symbolic rope is attached for relatives to ‘pull’ the tower to the cremation ground. photo©Agus Suka Adi Surya
A sense of scale from above… photo©Rio Helmi
And a sense of reality on the ground. photo©Agus Suka Adi Surya
Carrying the bull is no easy matter either. photo©Rio Helmi
No funeral procession is complete without a couple of young princesses…. photo©Rio Helmi
Members of the military guard of honor, with an image of the deceased. photo©Rio Helmi
Finally! Reaching the cremation grounds. photo©Rio Helmi
Celebrating the accomplishment with a splash of holy water…. photo©Rio Helmi
Preparing to bring the coffin down from the tower. photo©Rio Helmi
Bringing the heavy coffin down the steep ramp was a tricky affair. photo©Rio Helmi
Getting the bull positioned properly was no piece of cake either. photo©Agus Suka Adi Surya
Loads of photo opportunities for tourists and locals alike. photo©Rio Helmi
A member of the military guard of honor wears a traditional “destar” out of respect – in camouflage of course. photo©Rio Helmi
A Salvo in salute to the achievements of this Son of Ubud. photo©Agus Suka Adi Surya
And finally the fire. photo©Rio Helmi
Oh thank you……an amazing and moving account……just maximizes my love of the Beautiful Balinese people and the culture……hence the feeling when in Bali. Again heartfelt thanks.
We’re glad you enjoyed this!
Bless this great man and thank you for your wonderful photos
Well done Rio. You must have had wings to get up and down so quickly. Certainly a grand and unusual affair.
Mark, I did clamber around a bit but was also fortunate to have a young local photographer, Agus Suka Adi Surya, on the ground to contribute as well.
Great shots rio, thank you
Thanks Tjok Gus! You’re very welcome!
That was absolutely fascinating thanks to you both. I felt, almost, as if I were there.
Now that’s what reportage is all about! Glad it worked for you.
Rio
Thank you for the wonderful photos and explanations. I was just in Bali for a month (26th trip) and love it more each time. I was wondering where you where when taking the photos from above the cremation tower? Amazing photography and story telling!
Hi Cathy, glad you liked the pics. I shot them from the top of the ramp leading to the tower where I was allowed to go by the family. A bit of a clamber but worth it.
Rio
They are very good photos.Thank you Rio for sharing the photos and the information, it”s make me relies how much I have been missing out.
You’re welcome Tjok. Come home more often!