Find out more about the major Balinese Hindu ceremonies and holidays which take place in temples all over the island.
Nyepi
Nyepi
The day of silence across Bali
The month of March brings Nyepi - the day of silence throughout the whole of Bali. In the Balinese lunar calendar (Saka), Nyepi is New Year's Day. It is a day wholly dedicated to rest, staying in, turning off the lights and keeping quiet for 24 hours. It is one of the biggest and most unique ceremonies of the year, where staying in and resting is enforced by law. It is practiced island-wide where the Balinese dedicate an entire day to introspection and spiri ...
GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN
GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN
Celebrating the victory of good against evil
Galungan is a Balinese holiday which celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma (the triumph of good over evil). It marks the time when ancestral spirits of deceased relatives visit the Earth. The last day of the celebration is Kuningan, when they leave earth. The spirits of deceased relatives return to visit their former homes and the Balinese have a responsibility to be hospitable and welcoming to their past ancestors throu ...
SIWA RATRI
SIWA RATRI
Night of Siwa
Siwa Ratri, often referred to as the ‘night of Siwa’, is an auspicious time for introspection and meditation, during which the Balinese pray for forgiveness of their earthly sins and for support and strength from the god Siwa (Shiva) in order to reach their higher selves. Part of these rituals involve fasting and staying awake all night, so Siwa Ratri is also known as the longest night. Siwa Ratri is celebrated during the new moon of the 7th month of the Balinese cal ...
Saraswati Day
Saraswati Day
Knowledge is very important for Balinese. Every Saniscara, Umanis, Wuku Watugunung, they celebrate Saraswati Day, the knowledge day. It is based on the Pawukon (Balinese calendar) system and the Saniscara (seven day cycle).
The name Saraswati came from "Saras" meaning flow and "wati" meaning a women. So, Saraswati is symbol of knowledge, its flow (or growth) is like a river and knowledge is very interesting, like a beautiful women.
Saraswati is th ...
Pagerwesi Day
Pagerwesi Day
PAGERWESI DAY - The Day of Wisdom
Pagerwesi is the day when the Balinese strengthen their minds and souls against evil forces. Pagerwesi is also called "rerainan gumi" by the Balinese and means the holiday for everyone from every background - from the families of priests to the common families.
The Balinese celebrate the Pagerwesi ceremony every six months according to the Balinese pawukon calendar, the celebration is usually three days after Saraswati. Pagerwesi derives from the ...
TUMPEK KANDANG – The Celebration of Animals
TUMPEK KANDANG – The Celebration of Animals
Tumpek Kandang is the day to worship Sang Hyang Rare-Angon, the God of animals. The name of Tumpek Kandang is derived from two words, "Tumpek" meaning Saturday and "Kandang", the Balinese word for the household animals such as cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs, and birds - all of which are highly valued by the Balinese.
Cows in Bali receive better treatment than other animals because they assist farmers when plowing the rice field. The cows are washed and dressed-up ...
Tumpek Landep Day
Tumpek Landep Day
Nowadays Tumpek Landep is a ceremonial day at which offerings are made for objects that are made of metal. The ceremonies start in the morning hours at the village temple when people gather for special prayers and blessings. Afterwards, at the home compounds, additional ceremonies and blessings follow at which offerings are made for the holy family keris that most families own, but also for cars and motorbikes. In these modern times, also other objects that contain metal, such as ...
Odalan - Balinese Temple Festival
Odalan - Balinese Temple Festival
Odalan is an important Hindu ritual conducted by the Balinese people to ensure spiritual harmony. In Bali there are over 4,500 temples where ceremonies take place almost every day of the year. Temple festivals are held on the anniversary of when the temple was consecrated and usually on a new or full moon.
An Odalan or temple ceremony usually lasts for three days, but larger ones, which occur every 5, 10, 30 or 100 years, can last for 11 days or longer. The gist of what is happening ...
Tumpek Uduh Ceremony
Tumpek Uduh Ceremony
Tumpek Uduh also known as Tumpek Wariga or Tumpek Pengatag devoted to Sanghyang Sangkara, Lord of all food - plants when blessing ceremony is given to them for good crops and products, held at every plantation and farm throughout the island. Nothing is more comfortable and peaceful than taking a rest under a dense tree especially in a hot sun-shining day.Hindus in Bali commemorated Tumpek Uduh every Saniscara Kliwon (Saturday) wuku Wariga in Balinese calendar or every 210 days.
The God of Sangk ...
FULL MOON CEREMONIES AND TRADITIONS IN BALI
FULL MOON CEREMONIES AND TRADITIONS IN BALI
The island of Bali is all about finding balance, harmony and peace and Balinese Hinduism is a great reflection of that. The Balinese tend to pray to the demons and Gods alike in their Hindu Dharma religion, which includes honouring the shadow and light to find balance in life. This play of opposing forces and the acceptance of light and dark, joy and sorrow, benevolence as well as maliciousness is called Rwa Binneda in Balinese culture. Which better way to honor just that than on each full and n ...
New Moon on Bali - Traditions and Ceremonies
New Moon on Bali - Traditions and Ceremonies
The New Moon plays an important role on the island of Bali, where several Hindu holidays are timed to this auspicious day when the moon turns black.
Yearly Festivals in Bali that fall on New Moon
One of the most prominent festivals happening only once a year, which falls on the 12th New Moon of the Balinese Saka calendar is Nyepi, Bali's 'Silent Day' Celebration for Isakawarsa, Bali's New Year. It marks a day of fasting, silence, meditation and self-reflection before the se ...
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