Every religion or culture all over the world has their own way to define and celebrate their new year. For example, the Chinese have the Imlek year and to celebrate it, have, as they called it in their own language, "Gong Xi Fat Choy". The Moslem societies have their Muharam year, and any of the people over the world using the Gregorian calendar, celebrate the New Year on January 1st.
The same thing also occurs in Bali, however the Balinese use many different calendar systems. They have adopted the Gregorian calendar for business and government purposes. But for the endless procession of holy days, temple anniversaries, celebrations, sacred dances, building houses, wedding ceremonies, death and cremation processes and other activities that define Balinese life, they have two calendar systems. The first is the Pawukon (from the word Wuku which means week) and Sasih (which is means month). Wuku consists of 30 items starting from Sinta, the first Wuku and end up with the Watugunung the last one. The Pawukon, a 210-day ritual calendar brought over from Java in the 14th century, is a complex cycle of numerological conjunctions that provides the basic schedule for ritual activities on Bali. Sasih, a parallel system of Indian origin, is a twelve month lunar calendar that starts with the vernal equinox and is equally important in determining when to pay respect to the Gods.
Westerners open the New Year in revelry, however, in contrast, the Balinese open their New Year in silence. This is called Nyepi Day, the Balinese day of Silence, which falls on the day following the dark moon of the spring equinox, and opens a new year of the Saka Hindu era which began in 78 A.D.
Nyepi is a day to make and keep the balance of nature. It is based on the story of when King Kaniska I of India was chosen in 78 A.D. The King was famous for his wisdom and tolerance for the Hinduism and Buddhism societies. In that age, Aji Saka did Dharma Yatra (the missionary tour to promote and spread Hinduism) to Indonesia and introduce the Saka year.
The lead upto Nyepi day is as follows:
* Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis (three days before Nyepi)
Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (ie lake, river, etc). Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all the village temples are taken to the river in long and colourful ceremonies. There, they have are bathed by the Neptune of the Balinese Lord, the God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines.
* Tawur Kesanga (the day before Nyepi)
Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh-ogoh (the fantastic monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment which have to be got rid of from our lives . The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.The procession is usually organised by the Seka Teruna, the youth organisation of Banjar. When Ogoh-ogoh is being played by the Seka Teruna, everyone enjoys the carnival. In order to make a harmonic relation between human being and God, human and human, and human and their environments, Tawur Kesanga is performed in every level of society, from the people's house. In the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives.
* Nyepi
On Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. There is usually Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who controls and checks for street security. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs main task is not only to control the security of the street but also to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. No traffic is allowed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. Even love making, this ultimate activity of all leisure times, is not supposed to take place, nor even attempted. The whole day is simply filled with the barking of a few dogs, the shrill of insect and is a simple long quiet day in the calendar of this otherwise hectic island. On Nyepi the world expected to be clean and everything starts anew, with Man showing his symbolic control over himself and the "force" of the World, hence the mandatory religious control.
* Ngembak Geni (the day after Nyepi)
Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Canthi. Dharma Canthi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).
From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, eg humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. Balinese Hindus have many kind of celebrations (some sacred days) but Nyepi is, perhaps the most important of the island's religious days and the prohibitions are taken seriously, particularly in villages outside of Bali's southern tourist belt. Hotels are exempt from Nyepi's rigorous practices but streets outside will be closed to both pedestrians and vehicles (except for airport shuttles or emergency vehicles) and village wardens (Pecalang) will be posted to keep people off the beach. So wherever you happen to be staying on April 4 in Bali, this will be a good day to spend indoors. Indeed Nyepi day has made Bali a unique island.
Silent Day In Bali
Ubud Place To Visit
Visit The Temples / Pura
Pusering Jagat temple
This temple in Pejeng contains several interesting Hindu antiquities dating from the 14th century, which are now placed in shrines. Reliefs represent a story from the Mahabharata called the "churning of the ocean" in which gods and demons search for the elixir of life.
Penataran sasih temple
It has been very well known because a huge silver Nikara with a height of 186.5 cm and a diameter of 160 cm. This silver originally derives from Pre-history or pre-Hindu, it is commonly called Pejeng Moon because it is said to be the
moon falling down to the earth.
Bali girlTirta Empul temple
The Sacred Spring;' Tirta Empul lies just north of Tampaksiring on the road to Kintamani. A major pilgrimage point. This place have 30 different functions For cleancing the body, for evils templation. For cleaning when there will be ceremony and etc. The weather here is cool breeze.
Goa Gajah temple
Goa Gajah (elephant Cave) is located at the West side of Bedahulu village on the cave's wall there is also a simple ancient inscription. Based on its type of letter, it is predicted that it was originated from 11th century. In the past it was functioned as a place to meditate for Buddha and Siva priests.
Kebo Edan temple (Crazy Buffalo Statue)
This temple is located on the northwest of Arca Museum Building and it is only a few meters away north of Arjuna Metapa Statue. The kebo Edan statue is dancing over a dead body, as if its face were wearing a mask and its penis
shaking.
Bali girlYeh pulu relief
In Yeh Pulu you can see carvings that defines daily life story in the former time. The relief has measure 2 x 25 meter's, and in this site area there is small garden as the source of the water (yeh) flout out from a Gentong (Gentong = pot container for rice). It had been discovered in 1925 and investigated by Dr.W.F Sutterheim in 1929
Gunung Kawi
Gunung Kawi means carving in the mountain, it is moment of Udayana King and his son. The location of the monument is in Tampaksiring, 40 kms from Denpasar, when you arrived to the area, you would see the Vihara Buddhist monks from the ancient time.
Bali girlGunung Kawi Sebatu
There is an old bali archaeological remains, i called as Gunung Kawi Temple located at the river bank on the west side of Sebatu Tegallalang Village, Gianyar regency it is 40 kilometer's far from Denpasar city. This Temple was built as the worshipping place for Wisnu Gods, because there is a
holy spring that is believed as the manifest of Wisnu in giving life to human being in Bali.
Visit The Villages
Petulu ubud
The village is situated at 4 km North of Ubud village. In Petulu you can find thousand of herons or called as 'kokokan' in local language. These herons leave the village in the morning looking for food and return at night to stay on the various trees at the village. It is predicted that these birds came to the village in the year 965
Mas ubud
The village of woodcarvers, Mas is still the house of Bali's old masters. A number of art galleries exhibit some of their best works. Mas is also known for its masks
Bali girlPeliatan ubud
Located between Ubud and Mas, Peliatan is the center of traditional music and dance of Bali.
Ubud Traditional Market
It's located in the center of ubud and offers the variety local food with the morning prices . The place provides also Bali's best aromatherapy oils and incense, made from locally sourced plants, herb an flowers, alongside carving's,
painting's and textile.
Ubud Royal Palace / Puri ubud
This palace is decorated with brilliant gold colours and full of very old additional style, they care all their tropical Balinese garden.
Bali girlMonkey Forest ubud (Wenara Wana)
Monkey forest Nestled between the villages of Nyuh Kuning and Padang Tegal in Ubud lies Wenara Wana, more popularly knows as the monkey forest. This small forest is inhabited by hundreds of macaque monkeys who delight visitors with there antics. Being used to humans, the monkeys will frolic with each other and steal any food away from you, so be careful! there is a lovely little grotto down below with an ancient banyan tree as well the local temple called Pura Dalem.
Elephant Safaris at Taro village
In Taro Village just a few minutes from Ubud you can see the wonderful Balinese Village by riding Elephant
Bali Bird Park Singapadu
The birds from Asia, Europe, Australia , Africa and other part of he world can be found in Bali Bird Park, Singapadu village
Tegallalang ubud
See so beautiful of Bali among terraces of the rice paddy with flooded of water and the view of the coconuts palms and others plantation on valley of the river
Gentong Village
Handicraft center
Celuk Village
village with about 80% from the people as gold and silver smite, their works in detail brilliant decorate with filigree and its precious stone.
Batuan Village
The traditional House compound", the structure of the house in the old traditional, which typically house two or tree generations of families, village lanes, grouped in units called banjar. With the calm simplicity of their small houses, their daily life and their animals you would feel real culture of Bali.
Rice Field Tegallalang
Getting the experience for the unfotgettable memory is the right way for the romantic couple here.
Penjor
A penjor is basically a long tapered bamboo pole that is stood vertically in the ground, often on the roadside, and decorated in coconut leaves. Due to their length of sometimes more than ten metres, they droop charmingly over the pavement like an ancient street lamp.
At Galungan time, Balinese Hindus erect a penjor in front of their houses to symbolise the dominance of good (dharma) over evil (adharma), as well as offering thanks to God for the fruits of the Earth. About halfway down the pole they attach a small cage in the shape of a triangle and made from bamboo, called sanggah cucuk. Offerings are placed in this and it is considered to be a temporary “throne” for the Gods when they come down to Earth for Galungan. If you take a close look at a Galungan penjor, you’ll notice that it’s also ornamented with coconut leaves called sampian and also long strips of white and yellow material to symbolise that it is a holy offering.
Due to their innate beauty, these days penjors not only serve a religious function. They also feature at weddings, art performances, hotels, and at any occasion where there are guests of honour.
Penjors are not only found in Bali but also in other parts of Indonesia where they are employed in a secular manner, particularly for hotel functions.
Interestingly enough, even some of the streetlights in Bali are modelled on the tall, slender shape of these traditional poles. The best way to tell the function of a penjor is to check what decorations or offerings it has attached to it.
Penampahan Galungan
Hari Raya Penampahan Galungan,
During the day of Penampahan Galungan animals are sacrificed (in particular pigs and chickens) as special offerings which are meant to get rid of negativity in both the bhuana agung (the environment of the individual human being) and the bhuana alit (the inner world of the individual human being); the meat is afterwards prepared and cooked for traditional Balinese dishes such as lawar, babi guling, and satay.
Especially the Balinese children are looking forward to Penampahan Galungan as it is a typical family party day with lots of delicious dishes. The adults however are extremely busy during this day with the final preparations of the Galungan offerings.
At Penampahan Galungan the Kala-tiganing Galungan or Sang Kala Tiga in the shape of Sang Bhuta Amangkurat descends for the third and last time to earth to tempt mankind to adharma.
Ethymology, Penampahan is derived from the Balinese word tampah which means '(to) kill, slaughter'.
Spiritual symbolism of Penampahan Galungan
The killing of animals in this respect is symbolic for killing 'the animal inside yourself' - the victory of the higher self over the ego in their struggle for control of the inner power of the individual; implicity this symbolizes the victory of dharma over adharma.
Galunggan day for balinese people
Occurring once in every 210 days in the Balinese cycle of days, Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremony that is celebrated by all Balinese at the same time. During the Galungan period the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes. They must be suitably entertained and welcomed, and prayers and offerings must be made for them. Those families who have ancestors that have not yet been cremated, but are still buried in the village cemetery, must make offerings at the graves.
Although Galungan falls on a Wednesday, most Balinese will begin their Galungan 'holiday' the day before, where the family is seen to be busily preparing offerings and cooking for the next day. While the women of the household have been busy for days before creating beautifully woven 'banten' (offerings made from young coconut fronds), the men of our village usually wake up well before dawn to join with their neighbours to slaughter a pig unlucky enough to be chosen to help celebrate this occasion. Then the finely diced pork is mashed to a pulp with a grinding stone, and moulded onto sate sticks that have been already prepared by whittling small sticks of bamboo. Chickens may also be chosen from the collection of free-range chickens that roam around the house compound. Delicate combinations of various vegetables, herbs and spices are also prepared by the men to make up a selection of 'lawar' dishes. While much of this cooking is for use in the offerings to be made at the family temple, by mid-morning, once all the cooking is done, it is time for the first of a series of satisfying feasts from what has been prepared. While the women continue to be kept busy with the preparations of the many offerings to be made at the family temple on the day of Galungan, the men also have another job to do this day, once the cooking is finished. A long bamboo pole, or 'penjor', is made to decorate the entrance to the family compound. By late Tuesday afternoon all over Bali the visitor can see these decorative poles creating a very festive atmosphere in the street.
On Wednesday, the day of Galungan, one will find that most Balinese will try to return to their own ancestral home at some stage during the day, even if they work in another part of the island. This is a very special day for families, where offerings are made to God and to the family ancestors who have come back to rest at this time in their family temple. As well as the family temple, visits are made to the village temple with offerings as well, and to the homes of other families who may have helped the family in some way over the past six months.
The day after Galungan is a time for a holiday, visiting friends, maybe taking the opportunity to head for the mountains for a picnic. Everyone is still seen to be in their 'Sunday best' as they take to the streets to enjoy the festive spirit that Galungan brings to Bali.
Galungan in 2008 will be occur at January 23rd 2008 and the Kuningan 10 days after is at February 2nd 2008.
Shopping in Bali - Tegalalang
Home to woodcarvers, this village and nearby villages specialize in the carving of soft wood figures. Brightly painted flowers, frogs, fruits, animal figures can be found in abundance.
Tegalalang is village located on the north-south road from Kintamani and Ubud. Driving along this stretch you will have no doubt you are in Tegalalang because of the abundance in wooden carvings that are displayed along the road. Development in Tegalalang is another example of ribbon development, the expansion of a village along the main road but usually only 1 shop deep. Central Tegalalang has Bali-baroque style shops whereas the buildings on the northern and southern edges of town are simple adobe mud-brick family compounds with family temples. The village of Tegalalang specializes in pumping out carved fish, birds, trees and other designs that are painted in bright colors. These are designed for the tourist market, not really the antique or quality market. A visitor might also check out the selection of wall-panels, furniture, antique-style doors and topeng masks.