Tumpek Krulut - the Compassion Day

A holy day where the devout  express their gratitude for life and life’s blessings, show compassion to one another and, in particular, to be charitable to the less fortunate in society. As a traveler or visitor this is the perfect opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the Balinese culture and way of life. Be part of the celebrations by watching the ceremonies with your Balinese neighbor or host. Make an offering to someone less fortunate, or donate to your favorite charity; all contributions will be appreciated. In previous years, Tumpek Krulut has brought together tourists, the local community and religious leaders. In doing so Bali prides itself as being culturally diverse and open-minded.

When  :       April 4th, 2020
Where :       All over Bali.

Purnama Kedasa – Full Moon

Purnama, or full moon, is a very special day in Bali when the gods descend upon the island to spread goodwill. During the full moon, colorful ceremonies are held in Temples in almost every corner of Bali. Prayers, music and celebration take place, an elaborate affair for the locals with thousands coming outside to pay their respect. The full moon marks a special day for various traditional festivities. Among the many beliefs of the Balinese are their devotion to the Moon and its different phases, with the full moon or Purnama, being the most sacred. It is during the full moon that the Gods descend to the island to provide blessings. As part of these blessings, god also honors his people by bringing prosperity to the land. The Balinese will usually make offerings at the temples as well as at their homes that consist of fresh foods, fruits and colorful flowers. Making offerings is often accompanied by the performance of various rituals, like the Melukat Purification Ceremony. This includes bathing in holy waters as an act of cleansing, burning incense in order to chase away evil spirits as well as the use of flower petals and grains of rice.

When  :       April 7th, 2020
Where :       All over Bali.

Besakih Temple Ceremony

Besakih Temple is the most important and holiest Hindu pura complex in Bali, located in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali. On April 7th the festivities Odalan start. Odalan is a Balinese village temple festival in Indonesia. It is an occasion when the Hindu village community comes together, invites the gods to visit them for three or more days, perform religious services together offering refreshments and entertainment. It is a periodic event, one that celebrates Balinese Hindu heritage and performance arts. This year there will not be a big temple ceremony, as public ceremonies are cancelled by the government, due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Learn all about the general Odalan ceremonies here.

When  :         April 7th - May 1st
Where :         All over the island

Kartini Day – A Symbol of Modern Woman Empowerment in Indonesia

Every 21st of April, all Indonesian Islands commemorate Hari Kartini (Kartini’s Day) to celebrate their hero of women empowerment – Raden Ajeng Kartini - she is better known as Ibu Kartini. Born into an aristocratic Javanese family in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, she attended a Dutch language primary school. She aspired to further education but the option was unavailable to her and other girls in Javanese society. She came into contact with various officials and influential people including J.H. Abendanon, in charge of implementing the Dutch Ethical Policy. This is akin to International Women’s Day and the focus is the issue of women empowerment. All across Indonesia, female students and teachers in schools dress in Kebaya, while the male students dress in Batik. Various competitions such as fashion shows, cooking competitions and flower arrangement competitions are held to enliven the festivities. Kartini Day has been commemorated to remind us that women and men are supposed to be equal. It is a good chance for us, women and men, to remind ourselves of gender equality. The festivity of Kartini Day—the fashion shows, cooking competitions and all the festivities—are a great reminder for us to keep the women’s spirit alive. We always should remember that women are great; women are strong; women are capable. Happy Kartini Day!

When  :         21. April 2020
Where :         All over the island

What weather to expect when traveling to Bali in April

While March was still in between rainy season and dry season, in April things change. Clean beaches, not too windy at the coast, and sunny weather. Expect an average temperature around 27°C (81°F) with 80% humidity, the sea temperature stays at 28°C (82°F). Still, it can rain from time to time (mostly at night).   So...yes...the sunny days have arrived. And with that warm water you can have fun for hours in the ocean. These days please check with your local banjar if access to the ocean is still allowed.