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Bali Events & Festivals

Festivals and events are important features in the social landscape of Bali, and also permanent fixtures in the lives of the Balinese. These festivals and events are determined by the calendars of the Balinese from long ago.

The major events in the life of a Balinese is believed to occur on fixed dates, which go according to the Balinese Calendar. Unlike temple festivals, these major events take place nearly every six months or every 210 days!

The Balinese believe in annual cycles and every six months of a Balinese's life is a celebration of holidays and life-cycle ceremonies. Since his conception in his mother's womb, every Balinese passes through certain stages, and this carries on up until marriage. These are the events celebrated to mark the passage of a Balinese as he progresses in his life. But the ritual of utmost importance to the Balineses is the ritual of the funeral rites and cremation.

It is, therefore, extremely obvious that festivals and events are an integral part of Balinese life and a huge part of the mysticism and allure that sets Bali apart from any other land. To help preserve and maintain every aspect of this rich culture, the Provincial Government of Bali holds numerous Annual Festivals. 

Dear Visitors,

If you have an interest in spending a day or two enjoying great food, inspired conversations and powerful storytelling situated in one of the most enchanting locations in Indonesia, then there is an event coming up that I think you will enjoy.

With a commitment to taking its guests beyond Bali's glossy holiday scene, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival will run from October 7-11, 2009. This not-to-be-missed local experience promises an intimate, illuminating (and sometimes controversial) journey that allows the true heart and soul of Bali to unfold.
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visual art exhibition tanah tho gallery ubud

 Cornerkick Visual Art Exhibition ( 5 July - 5 August 2010 ) Tanah Tho Gallery | Ubud Bali

Tanah Tho Gallery
Jalan Raya Lodtunduh
Ubud Bali Indonesia

www.tanahtho.com

You would think with all the Bali Life-cycle ceremonies, the 10 day Galunggan festivities followed by Kuningan every 210 days and also all the preparations that need to take place for Nyepi day, that the year is pretty much filled with these Bali Festivals alone...

You'll be surprised...

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Bali's most important festival is the Galungan festival. It is a feast and festival which is held throughout the whole island and an annual event in the wuku year. It is believed that during this ten day period all Balinese gods, including Sanghyang Widi, the supreme deity, will descend to earth for the festivities. Barongs prance from temple to temple and village to village in celebration of the Galungan with the gods.

Galungan to the Balinese, is the most important holiday period as it symbolizes the victory of Dharma, or Virtue, upon Adharma, or all that is Evil. The festivities are made extra special by the fitting of 'penjor' on the right side of the entrance to every house.

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Highly notable is the Annual Arts Festival, which interestingly takes place from every second Saturday of June to the second Saturday of July. This Annual Arts Festival is a celebration of exhibitions and performances of various kinds of artworks and cultural achievements, including the absorbing Kite Festival.

The saka calendar has a major festival called Nyepi, or the final day of the saka year. It falls on the day after the new moon on the ninth month. Nyepi is a celebrated holiday and the Balinese New Year called icaka New Year. It is a day of total silence throughout the island. Nyepi really is a celebration observed with total silence!

On Nyepi day, there is totally no activity - no traffic at all on the roads, no amusement is held the whole day long. No fires also may be lit in observance of the Nyepi and great purification and sacrificial rites are held on the day prior to Nyepi in order to exorcise evil spirits from every corner of Bali.

Bali and the Balinese also celebrate Saraswati, a day devoted to God's manifestation as the wise and beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature - the Dewi Saraswati. To mark this joyous day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Wedas are blessed and special offerings are made together with aspirations for knowledge and wisdom.

The first ceremony of a Balinese takes place before he or she is even born. On the 6th month of the pregnancy a ceremony with offerings is conducted (pegedong-pegedong) to ensure the well being and health of the baby.

Once the baby is born the afterbirth is to be placed in a coconut which is wrapped in a white cloth and finally buried near the entrance of the parent's household. For a short period of time appropriate ceremonies are conducted regularly on this spot.

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Bali Spirit Festival - The Bali Spirit Festival is an festival held every year in city of Bali, Indonesia. Live Dance and Music performances by some of the leading artists from different countries. The 5 day mega event will start from 23 March and finish on 27 March, 2011. So if you are looking for Classical Hatha Yoga, traditional Javanese dance and more, then Bali Spirit Festival is perfect place for you. The Bali Spirit festival is a major international yoga, dance and music celebration. This year, the event will be held in beautiful grounds of Purnati Center for arts located in Batuan near Ubud, Bali. So grab your ticket and witness this stunning event in Bali, Indonesia.

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The final life cycle ceremony is the Bali cremation (Pengabenan, ngaben or palebonan). When touring around the island you are likely to see this ceremony.

We have witnessed it several times and were even able to see one of the biggest in decades: the royal cremation in Ubud 2008. If you are not fully aware about the reasons of the cremations that take place in Bali you can be quite surprised.

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Culture of Bali

Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi

Very distinctive pagodas s...

Balinese Religion

Nearly everything in Bali c...

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple is locate...

Legong Dance

Also accompanied by the Go...

Goa Lawah Temple
The Bat Cave

Not for the f...

Fire Dance

This dance is an exorcism ...

Bali Aga Rites

The Tenganans practice an a...

Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women

This gallery was establish...

Museum Neka, Ubud

The superb Neka Museum, in...

Museum Manusa Yadnya, Taman Ayun

Just as its name impl...

Ulun Danu

No less stunning is the mo...

Museum Manusia Purba, Gilimanuk

The Museum Manusia Purba, ...

Bali Events and Calendar

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival will run from October 7-11, 2009
Dear Visitors,If you have an interest in spending a day or two enjo...
Odalan
You would think with all the Bali Life-cycle ceremonies, the 10 da...
Arts Festival
Highly notable is the Annual Arts Festival, which interestingly ...
Bali Spirit Festival 2011
Bali Spirit Festival - The Bali Spirit Festival is an festival hel...
Cornerkick - Visual Art Exhibition - Lodtunduh Ubud Bali
 Cornerkick Visual Art Exhibition ( 5 July - ...
Galungan and Kuningan
Bali's most important festival is the Galungan festival. It is a f...
Saraswati
Bali and the Balinese also celebrate Saraswati, a day devoted to ...
Nyepi
The saka calendar has a major festival called Nyepi, or the final d...

History of Bali

Of early traders and olden kingdoms
Bali was busy with trade from as early as 200 BC. The prasasti, or...
Of foreign tricks and trade
Bali was unknown to Europeans until the end of the fifteenth centur...
Independence
Throughout the 19th and 20th century relations with the Dutch were ...
Since the Beginning of Time
Bali has been inhabited for a long time. Sembiran, a village in no...
Colonial rule and Dutch rules
The puputan caused quite a stir in Europe and the United States and...
Mighty Majapahit and Golden Bali
1343 AD, is an important date in Bali's history. It was then that ...