Pura Alit, a special temple in North Bali, Indonesia
(Pictures shot in 2006)
Jro Petapakan is the guardian and priest of Pura Alit since around 1980. Jro Petapakan is not only a priest and holyman, but also a healer and an oracle. Update: Jro Petapakan has passed away.... The temple is run by other priests now...
Every full moon (Purnama in Balinese) there is a small ceremony, where people can ask the priest for help. Jro goes into a trance, and becomes someone else, sometimes possessed by the spirit of a white crocodile that has come ashore on this very spot where the temple has been build. (see statue of the crocodile near Jro on his panorama).
People that can't find work, or people who's business is bad, come to him to find out what is the problem behind their problems. His speciality is fertility and impotence. He proudly told me about a (foreign) child that was born after his parents came for advice to him. The child is partly named after the temple.
The water in the ponds of the temple comes from a natural spring, and is supposed to have healing effects.
The night panoramas were made during a full moon ceremony, where Jro handed some brown stuff he chewed to someone that asked for help. Also people were invited to smell a special potion if they had headaches or other illnesses. Often during these full moon ceremonies Jro performes some feats, like eating a handful of burning incense sticks, or showing that his body is stronger then a sword.....
Arak, the Balinese strong liquor, plays a big part in the ceremonies....
The links to the panorama's open a new window or tab. Panoramas are mobile friendly.
Pura Alit North Bali Temple, Indonesia
Open: Pura Alit North Bali Panorama
Jro Petapakan
Open: Jro Petapakan Panorama
Tree and Bali Temple
Open: Tree and Bali Temple Panorama
Trance Dancing Priest
Open: Trance Dancing Priest Panorama
Relics and Oracle Wisdom
Open: Relics and Oracle Wisdom Panorama
