"Sacred Waters of Bali" video coming soon

Mara Alper's documentary "Sacred Waters of Bali" will be available on Vimeo.com next week. Watch here for the link to view it.

This evocative short film shows Bali Hindu devotion to water in ceremonies for cremations, New Year's Melasti, Saraswati and water purification with High Priestess Ida Resi Alit. Beautiful images, music, sounds of water and nature draw the viewer into Balinese daily life and ceremonies.

Saraswati Ceremony

Saturday, Jan. 12

I go out at 8 a.m. see the ceremony this morning for Saraswati, the goddess of art, music and education. It’s at the local elementary school here in Pengosegan. Every school in Bali has a stature of this patron deity of schools and learning.

Saraswati

Books are blessed

The kids are lovely in their ceremonial attire. They do several dances from youngest group to oldest, then they all pray together. Very touching and sweet. I’ll let the photos tell it all.

Youngest boys do a warrior dance

Oldest girls make offerings during a dance

Restless, waiting for next event

Waiting their turn to dance

Not sure what they see, but they are definitely dubious!

Prayers 

 Water blessings after the prayers

Gathering emptied offering baskets

"Boys just want to have fun."

Striking the set