365Indonesia Day 4 – Plebon Ceremony in Ubud, Bali

Alright, this was actually from my Bali trip earlier this year, and I’m still enjoying the water of Pulau Kambing. But I think it’s worth sharing, the Plebon Ceremony in Ubud, Bali.

It’s a cremation ceremony for the royal families. Here’s some description from My Bali Info:

In Hindu Bali belief, a cremation ceremony symbolizes the cleansing of the soul of the one who has passed away, by returning the physical remains to the original elements from which living creatures are created and thereby releasing the soul from its worldly bonds. A pelebon or ngaben is not a mournful occasion, but rather a way to soothe the soul of the departed and ensure that it is not disturbed by the sobbing of those left behind.
In Balinese tradition, the body is merely a vessel for the soul. When a person dies, it is believed that his soul, or atman, remains near the body. A person’s body consists of five elements: fire, air, water, earth, and empty space. These five elements must be returned to nature, to be released so they can find the way to heaven and unite with the Creator. The cremation ceremony is a lengthy process, with many steps both before and after the cremation itself.

What’s interesting is that this became a popular tourist attraction. Well, it’s Bali to begin with, so there’s bunch of foreign tourists, and this ceremony shows a strong vibe of Balinese culture.

But of course, there are more fun stuff to do in Bali. And how to go to Bali? Y’all know that already…

See you around!

Regards,
Mad

Check out my travel blog Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri.

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