Royal Cremation

The human body is a combination of five basic natural elements, Panca Mahabuta that makes up the world of universe, namely: teja (fire), apah (water), bayu (air), perthivi (earth) and akasha (space/ether). When one dies, fire (Agni Tattwa) ceases, and that living form is sent to its original state of creation. Fire (in the form of cremation) is used to complete the fifth elements. According to Hindu Bali traditions, the reasons for prefferring to destroy the corpses by fire, over burying it into ground, is to induce a feeling of detachment into the freshly disembodied spirit, which will helpful to encourage it into passing to other world. Balinese believes that the cremation ceremony is not just a disposal of the dead body, but the union of the Atman (Soul) with the Paramatma (the Universal spirit). Melasti Ceremony is a Hindu religious ceremony to purify the elements of Bhuana Alit (microcosm) and Bhuana Agung (macrocosm). This ceremony is performed with a parade procession followed by thousand of Hindu people by bringing all the temple paraphernalia and barongs, statuettes and the sacred symbols to the sea or other water sources. (Top right)