Royal Family and Religious Procession, Ubud, Bali

A Rare Opportunity

The week leading up to October 8 was a rare opportunity to witness a  major religious
at the historic Gunung Lebah temple, in the Campuhan area.  Hundreds of Hindu
devotees from across the island, as well as from Java and Lombok,  have descended
on Ubud. It was a 200m hot steamy walk from the main road down to an area near
two sacred streams of water.

This temple has been renewed and upgraded all throughout the year, with a beautiful
result, funded by the Ubud Royal Family.  The Procession stopped in front of the
Royal Family home for prayers of gratitude  for all of their dedication and financial
help.

There was a large temple dedication and purification ritual coupled with sacrificial
rituals to appease nature’s spirits. This temple was sanctified to serve as an important
temple, as a throne of the divine.  ( I did not witness that  there were animals sacrificed,
but I was told it happened) After the prayers and ceremonies, the animals are killed and
blessed, which  elevates them on the karmic ladder to a higher incarnation.
Later the family will eat the food which has been blessed by the Gods.




Walking on a white cloth of marigold flower petals




Bali customs are strong, even as their lives are changing with technology and tourism.
 A beautiful event, framed by motorcycles

 

 

Such beauty...... Such joy.......True Balinese Spirit

 

A lady appears to be  in trance, dancing to her own tune


 

 

The Parading of the Rangdas, Queen of Witches
 She has both white and black hair, popping eyes, fangled teeth and a wild hairdo.  She is known to represent evil and often fights against the mythical figure the Barong, in Balinese dance.  She is also known to eat small children and a scary figure. 
But the Balinese revere her, accept and appease her, including all that is evil and all that is good.
They consider her part of the balance of life.