An opulent sarcophagus had been ready for the royal cremation in Ubud. This royal bade consisting of 9 tiered roof in which the height indicates the social status of the deceased attracted attention from local and tourists alike. Today as the sun goes down, Anak Agung Niang Rai, the mother Gianyar Regent, were surrendered to the blazing fire.

However, because there were lot of people joined the procession, the authority decided to block some roads in Ubud started at 10.00 am. The ceremony itself began at 1.00 pm involving at least 4500 people of Ubud. There were two gigantic royal bade and two black cow replicas which needed to be carried on the shoulders by relays. 400 people handed over the bade decorated with gold papers and various figures from Balinese Hinduism’s mythology to another group of 400 people after walking 200 meters.

They walked 1.5 km while carrying bade and the black cow replicas from Ubud Palace to the Royal Cemetry. This royal cremation didn’t only attend by Ubud people, tourists, but also royal families from other regions. Tourists of course were very enthusiastic to see the majestic royal bade which was 25-meter in height and the black cow replicas that they never stop to get the best shots.

When the royal sarcophagus of Anak Agung Niang Rai passed by, the crowds who had been waiting in the royal cemetery cheered. After all procession had been done, the deceased was cremated in the fire of purification while the holy priests uttered sacred mantra to implore the God to take the soul of AA Niang Rai back to His embrace.
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