It is said there is never a day in Bali without a ceremony of some kind and if you include all the life cycle rites (baby ceremonies, puberty rites, weddings, cremations, Temple festivals), then this saying is probably true. Some ceremonies usually lasts day or two, but larger ones (which occur every 5, 10, 30 or 100 years) can last for 11 days or longer. During ceremonies many offerings are made which consists of fruits, rice cakes and flowers these are brought in on women’s heads, placed around the temple and then are blessed with holy water by the temple Pemangku or priest. The pilgrims then pray, after blessings, drinking holy water is complete offerings are taken home to share with their families. The gods have taken the sari or essence of the offerings, leaving the “leftovers” for the humans to consume.  Most of ceremonies involves spectacular performances of music and dance by local groups and gamelan music. Here is some pictures from around Bali and it’s ceremonies.

Keeping balanced.

Praying in Tampak Siring, holly water springs.

An Odalan or temple ceremony.

Tanpak Siring holly water springs.

Cremation ceremony.

An Odalan or temple ceremony usually lasts for three days. Once offering is complete women take it to the main temple.

Some ceremonies involves performances of local dancers.

It all starts at young age.

And goes on till you old.

Preparation.

Offerings made in temple ceremony.

Waiting for holly water blessing.

Women of Bali.

Countless offerings.

After body is burned ashes are collected and put neatly on plate.

Temple “Pemangku” – priest.

Main temple where offerings are brought.

Praying goes on in main temple.

Praying under holly water in Tanpak Siring.

Performance.

They just keep coming and coming…..

Girls taking offerings to main temple.

Walking from one temple to another.

Temple full of offerings.

This ceremony was walking for one hour from main temple to smaller.

Women stand around while priest makes his ritual.