BALINESE CEREMONY

OUR BALINESE TEMPLE AND BUILDING CEREMONY WAS HELD ON ON THE 29TH SEPTEMBER WHICH WAS THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW MOON CYCLE.

THE CEREMONY INCLUDED A CELEBRATORY FEAST WITH A SUCKLING PIG AS THE GUEST OF HONOUR (APOLOGIES TO ALL VEGETARIANS FOR THE CONTENTS OF THIS PHOTO)

THE LOCAL HOLY MAN CONDUCTS THE CEREMONY WHICH INCLUDES SEVERAL SECTIONS. THE CASTING OUT OF ANY EVIL SPIRITS, BLESSING OF THE BUILDING AND SURROUNDS, BLESSING THE FEAST AND TEMPLES.
IT WAS IMPORTANT TO US TO HAVE THIS CEREMONY AND SHOW RESPECT FOR THE LOCAL TRADITIONS, THE BELIEFS, THE STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY.

OUR STAFF FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ARE MIRA (HEAD HOUSEKEEPER), PUTU, KOMANG AND SANDRA (THE HOUSEKEEPERS FOR EACH OF THE THREE VILLAS).

SPOT THE OWNERS - THE ONES WHO DON'T LOOK COMFORTABLE SITTING ON THE GROUND!!!

THE CEREMONY WAS HELD IN THE TEMPLE AREA ADJACENT TO THE ENTRY TO THE VILLAS. THERE ARE TWO TEMPLES (THE ALMIGHTY AND THE SECURITY AND BUILDING TEMPLE) WHICH ARE FULLY DECORATED WITH BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS AND UMBRELLAS WHICH ARE ADOPTED FROM THE LOCAL CULTURES.