Ground Touching Ceremony

The child of Kadek Ina and Putu Udayana was born on 14 March 2014.

Baby Gede Alexa

[Note the Pre-Touch warm-up slippers].

The Balinese Hindu tradition calls for a Upacara or “Ground Touching” Ceremony 3 months later on 14 June at their family home in Bunutan, Bali.

Banner Welcoming Guests

Putu is the manager of the Anugerah Villas where we are staying for a month. The 5 of us [Devin and Dave from Cincinnati, plus Una Dawoon from South Korea, Reese and myself] arrived around 8 am and were immediately met by hundreds of neighbors, friends and relatives who brought gift baskets, ate food and departed before the ceremony.

Neighbors

Offering Plates

Offering Gift

Long before any guests appeared, three men began roasting the 3 ceremonial pigs at 3 am. Women began preparing the spices at 5 am [sorry no pictures were recorded at that hour]. The spice paste includes chili, turmeric, ginger, galangal, shallots, garlic, coriander seeds and is basted in turmeric and coconut oil.

We were escorted out back to meet the 3 roasters.

Roasters

And we paid our respects to the 3 pigs as well.

3 Suckling Pigs

Suckling Pig or Babi Guling is the most revered dish on the island and the center piece of all offerings.

Offering of Suckling Pigs

Before the baby touches the ground, he is passed around for all to hold.

Kadek Ina Sharing her Happy Baby

Una with Child

Reese with Child

Uncle

Elders

Even in Bali, there’s time for a “Selfie”.

“Selfie”
Bali Style

Putu’s Twin Sisters
[Center and Right]

Putu’s 7-year old sister flanked by her friends

Iluh
“Big Boss” of the Staff

Meanwhile, the Roasters have moved on to the Palm wine at 9 am.

Palm Wine at 9 am

Dave & Devin join the Ritual

The Holy Man, his brother and helpers arrived around 9:30 am, enjoyed their meal and prepared for ceremony.

Holy Man and his Brother

Holy Man Meditating in Preparation for the Ceremony

Puja

Chrystal Crown Chakra

Putu’s aunt is the bridge between the Holy Man’s incantations and the rituals for the family.

Opening the Third Eye

With the mother holding her baby with one arm and a young chicken in the other hand, a wooden cage is lowered over their heads. The cage symbolizes “protection”. The chicken represents “diligence”.