KLUNGKUNG – A grand Ngaben, or Pitra Yadnya cremation ceremony, honoring Jero Mangku Gede Pasek I Nengah Setar has gone viral on social media, drawing attention for its unusual elements. 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 traditional offerings.
Viral footage of the event fueled speculation that gold and diamonds were also sacrificed in the ritual, aligning with the deceased’s final wishes as stated in his will. However, local residents have only confirmed the burning of the pickup truck, while the claims about gold and diamonds remain unclear.
Quoting detikBali, a resident of Nusa Penida named Putra confirmed that a pickup truck was indeed burned in the ceremony. “It is true that a pickup truck was burned,” he said on Wednesday (12/3/2025). The truck, which had transported Jero Setar from his residence to the cremation site 15 kilometers away, was set ablaze along with the traditional bade (funeral tower) and lembu (sacred bull effigy).
Jero Setar was widely respected in Nusa Penida, drawing a large crowd to the ceremony. Known for his generosity, he made significant donations to local temples, sometimes amounting to hundreds of millions of rupiah.
“I live far away in Desa Pejukutan, but I still know of Jero Setar. His contributions to the community were immense,” Putra added.
Another local, Wayan Lasta, described Jero Setar as a wealthy philanthropist with a history of aiding the people of Nusa Penida.
“From around 1982 to 2000, when I worked at the land office (previously known as the agrarian office), I often dealt with him. He helped many people in Nusa Penida obtain land certificates. That was before he dedicated himself fully 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 is believed that certain offerings, including material possessions, can accompany the soul into the afterlife.