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Overview
One
basic principle of Hindu belief is that the universe is structured
- things do not happen randomly and it is essential that a balance
must be maintained between order and disorder. Spirits are everywhere
and ultimately control nature and as such these spirits must be
worshipped regularly in order to maintain the balance. Rituals
and festivals are the way the Balinese maintain this order. These
festivals have great meaning and are the part of the essence of
Balinese culture.
There are other
festivals as well, instituted by the government or other organizations
to maintain and preserve certain cultural aspects of Balinese
life. The best example of this is the Bali
Art Festival - held every year from mid-June through mid-July.
If you are planning to visit Bali at about this time it is worth
the extra effort to be in Bali on opening day. Never will you
have an better opportunity to see Bali's glorious culture. Even
if you are in Singapore or other part of the region it is well
worth the trip. Below is a brief overview of some of Bali's more
important holidays.
GALUNGAN:
Next held on 11 August 2004. This is the most
important Balinese holiday and symbolizes the victory of virtue
(Dharma) over Evil (Adharma). The holiday is characterized by
putting "Penjor" (tall Bamboo poles laboriously decorated
with woven coconut leaves, cakes and flowers), on the right side
of every house entrance. It is important for the Balinese to visit
all their family temples on this day which sometimes requires
a lot of driving around.
KUNINGAN: Next
held on 21 August 2004. This
holiday takes place ten days after Galungan, bringing the Balinese
New Year holiday period to a close. Ceremonies are held for ancestral
spirits.
NYEPI:
Last held on 21 March 2004. Every society in the world should
have the Nyepi holiday. This holiday is the Balinese New Year
called Icaka New Year. It is a day of total silence throughout
the island. No activity is whatsoever is allowed, no traffic at
all on the roads, no fire may be lit, use of electricity is banned
(except in the tourist hotels). Purification and sacrificial rites
are held the day before - culminating at night with Ogoh-Ogoh
dancing through the villages. The Ogoh-Ogoh are large demon images
carried about the villages joined by all the men trying to make
as much noise as possible. The idea is to wake up all the evil
spirits on Bali then on Nyepi when the spirits return, Bali is
absolutely quiet and the spirits, not able to find anyone, leave
the island for good.
PAGERWESI:
Last held on 02 June 2004.The name literally means iron
fence-the day devoted to Sanghyang Pramesti Guru, Lord of the
Universe, when Hindu Followers pray for strong mental defense
in welcoming Galungan Holiday, held at every compound and temple
throughout Bali.
Please
be advised that this page is updated monthly for the succeeding
two months ie. for events in June please check back in May.
Temple Festivals August & September 2004
August
Temple
Celebrations: 05 August, at Pura Ida Ratu Mas,
Besakih Complex, Karangasem; Pura Puseh Bungkulan Satrya Buleleng;
Pura Pedarman Arya Kepakisan Dauh Baleagung, Besakih Complex, Karangasem.
Temple
Celebrations: 06 August,
at Pura Segara Buleleng; Pura Guru Hyang Sangsit Buleleng.
Temple
Celebrations: 10
August, at Pura Kiduling Kreteg, Besakih Complex, Karangasem.
Temple Celebrations: 11 August,
at Pura Ratu Bagus Subandar, Besakih Complex, Karangasem; Pura
Dukuh Sakti.
Temple
Celebrations: 12 August, at Pura Lempuyang Luhur
Karangasem; Pura Kentel Gumi Klungkung; Pura Batu Karu, Tabanan;
Pura Rambut Petung, Pesedahan Village, Manggis, Karangasem.
Temple Celebrations: 16 August,
at Pura Dasar Buwana, Klungkung; Pura Pasek Tohjiwa, Sawah,
Selemadeg; Pura Ki Pasek Gelgel, Pelapuan Village, Tabanan.
Temple Celebrations: 21 August,
at Pura Ulun Kulkul, Besakih; Pura Taman Pulo Mas, Gianyar;
Pura Sada, Kapal, Mengwi, Badung; Pura Pucak Gede Luwus, Baturiti,
Tabanan.
Temple
Celebrations: 22 August, at Pura Dalem Buleleng;
Pura Sakenan, Serangan, Badung; Pura Batuaji, Ubung Tengah, Badung.
Temple
Celebrations: 25 August, at Pura Tanah Lot Tabanan;
Pura Bucabe, Mas Village, Gianyar; Pura Puseh, Ganggang, Cangi,
batuan; Pura Masceti, Sanding Village; Pura Pasek Gulingan, Mengwi,
Badung; Pura Pasek Pertukangan, Kediri, Tabanan; Pura Luhur Batu
Pucangan, Buahan, Tabanan.
Full
moon: 30 August, Temple celebrations at Pura
Pura Gelap, Besakih, Karangasem; Pura Dang Kahyangan Pengukur-Ukur,
Pejeng, Gianyar; Pura Candi Goro, Tianyar, Kubu, Karangasem; Pura
Sang Naga, Bondalem Village, Buleleng; Pura Ponjok Batu, Tejakula,
Buleleng.
Temple Celebrations: 31 August,
at Pura Andakasa, Karangasem; Pura Goa Lawah, Klungkung; Pura
Taman Ayun, Mengwi, Badung; Pura Dalem Banyuning, Buleleng; Pura
Luhur Uluwatu, Pecatu, Badung; Pura Suralaya, Banda, Klungkung.
September
Temple Celebrations:
01 September, at Pura Gede Purancak Jembrana; Pura Puseh
Brahmana, Kamasan, Klungkung; Pura Puseh Desa Bitera, Gianyar.
Temple
Celebrations:
02 September, Temple Celebration at Pura Merajan Bungkulan,
Buleleng; Pura Panti Pasek, Gelgel, Desa Bitera, Gianyar; Pura Dalem
Kelod, Desa Sangsit Dauhyeh, Buleleng.
Temple
Celebrations: 15 September, at Pura Silayukti, Padangbai,
Karangasem; Pura Pemayun, Br. Tegal, Buleleng; Pura Suci Br. Peguyangan,
Buleleng; Pura Kresek Banyuning, Buleleng; Pura Penataran Batuyang,
Batubulan, Gianyar; Pura Pasek Bendesa Tagtag Peguyangan, Badung;
Pura Batu Medahu, Suwana Village, Nusa Penida; Pura Pucak Padang
Dawa, Bangli Village, Baturiti, Tabanan.
Temple
Celebrations: 25 September, at Pura Ida Ratu Manik
Kubakal, Besakih Complex, Karangasem; Pura Pedharman Bujangga, Besakih
Complex, Karangasem; Pura Pasek Gelgel, Br. Tengah, Buleleng; Pura
Pucak Natarsari, Apuan Baturiti, Tabanan; Pura Segara, Sangsit Dauhyeh
Village, Buleleng; Pura Puseh Bale Agung, Pakraman Pulesari Village,
Tembuku, Bangli.
Full
moon: 28 September, at Pura Gajahpara di Tianyar,
KubuKarangasem; Pura Bukit, Panji, Buleleng; Pura Sang Baingin,
Bendodalem Village, Buleleng; Pura Gunung Kawi Tampak Siring, Gianyar;
Aci Panguripan di Ulun Kulkul Besakih.
Temple
Celebrations: 29 September, at
Pura Petitenget Kerobokan, Badung; Pura Karangbuncing and Mr.Batu
Lepang Galiran, Bukitseraga, Buleleng; Pura Puseh, Pura Desa Silekarang,
Singapadu, Gianyar; Pura Pasek Gelgel, Br. Tanah Pegat, Tabanan.
Temple Celebrations: 29 September,
at Pura Alit
Desa Bondalem, Buleleng.
NB.
Temple ceremonies sometimes are delayed
or cancelled without notice, please check with your hotel prior
to setting out.
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