Myths, Stories, Legends - 212 Photos to Explore the Mystical Side of Bali

What better way to discover Bali than through its myths? For curious readers and fans of photography, the latest book, Ancient Spirit of Bali, by photographer Ida Bagus Putra Adnyana (also known as Gustra), which visually explores public religious ceremonies and those reserved for families of only the highest lineage, is a fine way to get to know about Balinese mysticism. The book offers a unique look at local culture and the decorative majesty of mysterious ancestral ceremonies, legends, religion and Balinese myths. In all, there are 212 photos taken over twenty years of study which looked in-depth at the local heritage of rituals, also, in part, thanks to clarifications offered by scholar Garret Kam. The work presents mostly-unknown practices, documented in the remote mountainous regions of the Northern and Eastern sides of the island, in the Regence of Karangasem, aiding in the comprehension of a culture fused with nature and its liveliest aspects, as well as the cult of ancestral worship and Hinduism. The rituals, in the book divided into seven categories, include dance, installations, ceremonial costumes, masks and headdresses for a stunning gathering of fantastic forms which offer fundamental support in grasping the most sacred and lesser-known Balinese traditions.