Holiday Descriptions

Bali Arts Festival runs approximately mid-June to mid-July with performances, exhibits, crafts such as jewelry, paintings and fabrics on display and for sale. At the Art Centre in Denpasar and elsewhere around the island.

Ciwaratri or Shivaratri is the night of the god Shiva. A time for holy contemplation and purification, the Balinese do not sleep for one night.

Galungan is the most important holiday in Bali. It represents the victory of Dharma (virtue) over Adharma (evil). A symbol of the holiday is a "penjor," which is a long bamboo pole elaborately decorated with woven coconut leaves, fruit, flowers and cakes. The penjor is placed on the right side of every house entrance, making for a very festive, colorful scene in all the villages. The Balinese dress in their very best clothes and jewels on Galungan.

Imlek is the Chinese New Year.

Kuningan is the second most important day of the Balinese Hindu calendar. The Balinese attend religious services and make offerings to the gods. At the holy spring temple Tirta Empul, at Tampaksiring, people partake in a ritual purification, bathing in the spring.

Nyepi Day is the Balinese New Year in the Caka calendar. Held at the spring equinox, it is observed as a day of complete silence. On this day there is no transportation, no fires may be lit, no work is done and no one should be seen on the roads. Silence is important so that the spirits, which were aroused the night before, will think that Bali is empty and will, therefore, leave the island.

Ogoh-ogoh is a parade held on Pengerupukan, the night prior to the Balinese New Year. It is highlighed by a representation of the evil spirit. On this same day, purification sacrifices and offerings are made in village centers and at crossroads, throughout the island. Priests chant mantras to exorcise the demons (kala and buta) of the old year. In the evening people bang gongs and cymbals in the corners of houses, and parade through the streets with flaming torches, in order to arouse evil spirits. The parade follows Ngerupuk, an early evening ritual ceremony.

Pagerwesi which is particularly popular in northern Bali, celebrates Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru, god of teachers and creator of the universe. Offerings are made to stave off evil forces. Offerings are also made for the uncremated dead.

Saraswati Day is in honor of Batari Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. Though no reading or writing is allowed on this day, books are taken to the goddess to be blessed.

Sugihan is a holy day for purification.

Tumpek Krulut celebrates the arts.

Tumpek Landep is in celebration of all tools and appliances made of iron (knives, cars, televisions, etc.). There are various temple festivals on this day.

Tumpek Uduh is the day that honors the god of food plants. Blessings are given for good crops.

Tumpek Wariga is a ceremony for plantations.

Tumpek Wayang is a ceremony for the leather puppets used in Shadow Puppet performances.

Waisak (a Buddhist holiday) celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. The most important festivities take place at Borobudur near Yogyakarta in central Indonesia.