Photos: Royal cremation ceremony in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
November 1, 2013
Balinese dancers waiting to perform the classical Gambuh dance during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Tjokorda Istri Sri Tjandrawati is the late wife of Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati, head of Ubud's ruling family, who died at Mount Elizabeth Hospital on October 14, 2013 in Singapore at the age of 59. More than 100 people have been employed to build a 25 meter high tower which is used to carry the body of the deceased to the cemetery. The cremation ceremony is an important rite which is held for deceased members of the Puri Agung Ubud royal family to show respect to families and the local community. Balinese believe cremation is a purification ceremony that returns Panca Maha Butha (five elements in the universe that formed life) and is also believed to release the body's spirit so that they may reincarnate. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544137 )
Ubud community transport a bull-shaped sarcophagus to the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544129 )
Balinese people carry a sarcophagus during a cremation ceremony for Balinese royal Tjokorda Istri Sri Tjandrawati, in Ubud on Bali island on November 1, 2013. Balinese Hindus believe cremation is intended to return bodies to the fundamental elements of fire, air, water, earth and void. AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP/Getty Images ( 524260167 )
A relative holds the picture of Tjokorda Istri Sri Tjandrawati during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544120 )
Balinese dancers prepare to perform the classical Gambuh dance during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544130 )
Ubud local carry the "Bade" (body carrying tower) to a cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia(Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544121 )
Balinese dancers perform the classical Gambuh dance during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544135 )
Boma carving, a Balinese protector spirit, is shown on the "Bade" (body carrying tower) during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544122 )
Ubud local carry the "Bade" (body carrying tower) to the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544124 )
Balinese women walk along the "Bade" (body carrying tower) as they prepare the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544125 )
Ubud local carry the deceased body from the "bade" (body carrying tower) to the bull-shaped sarcophagus at the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544126 )
The "Bade" (body carrying tower) is pictured during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544127 )
Balinese women give an offering and sprinkle holy water in front of the "Bade" (body carrying tower) during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544131 )
A priest prays during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544136 )
Ubud local carry bull-shaped sarcophagus to the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544139 )
Ubud local carry the deceased body to the "Bade" (body carrying tower) during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544141 )
A Balinese dancer prepares to perform the classical Gambuh dance during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544144 )
Balinese dancers hold spears as they prepare to walk to the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544145 )
Ubud local carry the "Bade" (body carrying tower) to the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544151 )
Ubud local carry a bull-shaped sarcophagus to the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544152 )
A Balinese dancer performs Baris Dance at the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544155 )
Balinese men carry a giant sarcophagus in the form of a bull which contains the body of Tjokorda Istri Sri Tjandrawati during a cremation ceremony of a descendant of the Ubud Royal family in Bali, Indonesia, Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) ( CORRECTION Indonesia Royal Cremation )
Fire engulfs the bull-shaped sarcophagus during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.(Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544117 )
Fire engulfs the bull-shaped sarcophagus during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544162 )
A Balinese man controls the burning sarcophagus at the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544133 )
Fire engulfs the bull-shaped sarcophagus during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544118 )
A giant sarcophagus in the form of a bull which contains the body of Tjokorda Istri Sri Tjandrawati is in flame during a cremation ceremony of a descendant of the Ubud Royal family in Bali, Indonesia, Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) ( CORRECTION Indonesia Royal Cremation )
A Balinese man controls the burning sarcophagus at the cemetery during the Royal cremation ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) ( 186544123 )
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