KLUNGKUNG – A grand Ngaben, or Pitra Yadnya cremation ceremony, honoring Jero Mangku Gede Pasek I Nengah Setar has gone viral on social media, drawing consideration for its uncommon parts. The ceremony, held in Setra Desa Adat Sebunibus, Desa Sakti, Nusa Penida, Klungkung, Bali, on Wednesday (12/3/2025), featured the burning of a pickup truck alongside conventional choices.
Viral footage of the occasion fueled hypothesis that gold and diamonds had been additionally sacrificed within the ritual, aligning with the deceased’s closing needs as acknowledged in his will. Nevertheless, native residents have solely confirmed the burning of the pickup truck, whereas the claims about gold and diamonds stay unclear.
Quoting detikBali, a resident of Nusa Penida named Putra confirmed {that a} pickup truck was certainly burned within the ceremony. “It’s true {that a} pickup truck was burned,” he stated on Wednesday (12/3/2025). The truck, which had transported Jero Setar from his residence to the cremation website 15 kilometers away, was set ablaze together with the standard bade (funeral tower) and lembu (sacred bull effigy).
Jero Setar was broadly revered in Nusa Penida, drawing a big crowd to the ceremony. Recognized for his generosity, he made important donations to native temples, generally amounting to a whole bunch of thousands and thousands of rupiah.
“I dwell far-off in Desa Pejukutan, however I nonetheless know of Jero Setar. His contributions to the group had been immense,” Putra added.
One other native, Wayan Lasta, described Jero Setar as a rich philanthropist with a historical past of aiding the individuals of Nusa Penida.
“From round 1982 to 2000, once I labored on the land workplace (beforehand referred to as the agrarian workplace), I usually handled him. He helped many individuals in Nusa Penida acquire land certificates. That was earlier than he devoted himself totally as a priest,” Lasta recalled.
Ngaben, or pelebon, is a sacred Balinese Hindu cremation ceremony meant to return the soul of the deceased to God. It’s believed that sure choices, together with materials possessions, can accompany the soul into the afterlife.
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