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This lunar calendar is based
around the cycle of new and full moons - auspicious occasions
and ceremony nights for the Balinese. While most Balinese
households make daily ritual offerings, there are certain
special days of convergence on the Balinese calendar that
require elaborate prayers and offerings to be made to
God.
Keep an eye out for full moon ceremonies, as they are
often grandiose and extremely colourful affairs –
definitely Kodak moments. As temple ceremonies (odalan)
often fall on the full moon, it is likely that the celebration
will be a large one, attracting thousands of worshippers
who make their way to the temple balancing towers of fruit
and sweet cakes on their heads. Balinese families will
be dressed in their best temple garb on these days - special,
joyous occasions filled with prayer, gamelan music, dance,
and catching up with friends and family.
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The Balinese are exceedingly
tolerant and visitors are always welcome to enter the
temples and witness the proceedings. It is important,
however, that you wear the appropriate temple dress and
observe Balinese etiquette. Your DMC or hotel can instruct
you about this and provide you with further details.
As Bali is a multi-cultural society, the holy days of
Moslems, Christians and Buddhists are all observed, and
on certain days throughout the year you will see worshippers
visiting the mosques, churches and temples across the
island. With the exception of the Hindu day of silence
(Nyepi) when everything in Bali closes down for a 24-hour
period, you will still find many restaurants, shops, and
businesses open on public holidays.
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| JANUARY |
| January 01 |
New Year’s Day |
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| Celebrated in Bali, as
it is the world round. |
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| January 10 |
Idul Adha |
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| January 14 |
Full Moon |
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| January 28 |
Tumpek Wayang
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| Theatrical groups and
puppeteers from all over the island hold ceremonies
(performances are forbidden) to pay homage to the
shadow puppet theatre. Sacred, heirloom, leather
puppets, dance costumes and masks are taken from
their storage boxes, sprinkled with holy water or
rice, then solemnly re-consecrated. |
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| January 29 |
Chinese New Year |
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| Celebrated by Bali’s
residents of Chinese descent with family gatherings
and prayers at one of the many Chinese temples in
Bali such as Griya Konco Dwipayana in Suwung. |
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| January 31 |
Islamic New Year |
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| FEBRUARY |
| February 12 |
Full Moon |
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| February 18 |
Saraswati |
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| A day devoted to Sang
Hyang Saraswati, goddess of all knowledge and learning.
The last day of the 210-day Balinese calendar cycle,
when blessings are made for Holy Scriptures, literature
and all tools of learning. Offerings are made to
books and libraries on this day but, ironically,
it’s forbidden to read on Saraswati. |
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| February 22 |
Pagerwesi |
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| Literally 'the day of
the iron fences' Pagerwesi is devoted to Sanghyan
Pramesti Guru, guardian of the universe. Celebrated
in every home compound and temple throughout Bali,
Pagerwesi is a popular time for large and colourful
temple ceremonies, notably at Payogan Agung Temple
in Ketewel. |
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| MARCH |
| March 4 |
Tumpek Landep
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| A day of devotion to
Sanghyang Pasupati and Siwa, the guardians of all
things made of metal. Weapons, craftsmen’s
tools, motorcycles, cars and buses will all have
prayers and offerings made on their behalf on this
day. Look for the cars and buses with elaborate
palm leaf decorations tied to their front grills.
They’ve just been blessed! |
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| March 14 |
Full Moon |
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| March 27 |
Pekiyisan |
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| Beautiful, handcrafted
effigies are carried in parade from local temples
to Bali’s beaches, particularly in Sanur and
Kuta, and tossed into the ocean. Held in the early
morning, this ceremony marks the beginning of Nyepi,
three days hence. |
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| March 29 |
Tawur Agung Kesanga
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| Island-wide, sacrificial
ceremonies to welcome the coming of Nyepi. Evening
parades accompanied by belaganjur orchestras commence
from the community centres (banjar) and usually
lead to a central meeting place to mark the start
of a night of festivities. Ogoh-Ogoh, huge papier
maché monster-like dolls on floats are paraded
in the streets to exorcise evil spirits, preparing
the way for the purity and serenity that awaits
on Nyepi day. A special Perang Api (fire war) to
welcome Nyepi is held at Jasi Village, Karangasem. |
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| March 30 |
Nyepi
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| Happy New Year 1928 according
to the Balinese Calendar. This is a day of absolute
silence observed throughout the island when no outside
activity is performed, no traffic is seen on the
streets, no fires are lit - a day when all of Bali
resembles a ghost town and even the airport is closed.
This is a day of introspection for Hindu followers
who spend the day behind closed doors, with non-Hindus
following suit as a sign of respect. Hotel guests
are required to stay within their hotel grounds.
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| APRIL |
| April 8 |
Tumpek Uduh
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| Devoted to Sanghyang Sangkara,
the guardian of all vegetation. Ceremonies are held
in every village to ensure God’s blessing
on their crops. |
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| April 10 |
Prophet Muhammed’s Birthday |
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| April 12 |
Full Moon |
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| April 14 |
Good Friday |
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| The death of Jesus Christ
is remembered on this day. |
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| April 15-16 |
Nusantara Frisbee Championships
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| Held in Seminyak, Kuta,
this international tournament attracts hundreds
of participants from all over the world. |
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| April 16 |
Easter
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| After a church service
at sunrise, many of Bali’s Christians visit
the cemetery to pay their respects to departed loved
ones. |
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| MAY |
| May 3 |
Galungan |
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| This 7-monthly ceremony
is observed across the island to celebrate the victory
of virtue over evil. Every street is decorated with
tall brightly decorated bamboo poles (penjor) to
offering thanks to God for the fruits of the Earth.
Balinese return to their ancestral villages to repair,
clean and bless their family temples in the belief
that deceased members of their clan return to earth
for the next ten days to dwell briefly again with
their kin. Temple ceremonies occur on this day also,
and it is an opportune time to witness some gamelan
and dance in a traditional setting. |
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| May 12 |
Full Moon |
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| May 13 |
Kuningan |
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| Celebrated ten days after
Galungan marking the return of ancestral spirits
and deities to heaven. Special offerings of yellow
rice and assorted side dishes are offered to the
spirit world. Homes and temples are festooned with
ornaments made of young coconut leaves and flowers.
Large temple ceremonies are held in many villages,
notably in Mas at Taman Pule Temple and on Turtle
Island (Serangan) at Sakenan Temple. |
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| May 13 |
Waisak |
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| The annual Buddhist celebration
marking the Buddha’s birth, death and day
of enlightenment when many of the faithful visit
Bali’s Buddhist monasteries. |
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| May
25 |
Ascension Day |
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| Christ’s ascension
is celebrated by communion in Christian Churches. |
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| JUNE |
| June 4-7 |
Seventh Annual Bali Fashion Week
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| Held at the Discovery
Kartika Plaza in Kuta, this fashion exhibition and
trade fair - packed with fashion shows, trade exhibits
and networking events - attracts top regional and
international players in fashion and jewellery design,
ladies’ wear, handbags, men’s wear,
shoes, lingerie, fashion accessories, evening wear,
sportswear, children’s wear and traditional
Indonesian textiles. The final day is open to the
public. |
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| June 06 |
Billabong Pro Surf Contest
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| Keramas Beach |
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| June 10 |
Full Moon |
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| June 17 |
Tumpek Krulut
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| The day for objects which
produce a sound, traditional gamelan instruments
are cleaned, decorated and blessed. Many music clubs
also gather to pray for artistic inspiration and
share food together. |
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| June 4-7 |
Seventh Annual Bali Fashion Week
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| Held at the Discovery
Kartika Plaza in Kuta, this fashion exhibition and
trade fair - packed with fashion shows, trade exhibits
and networking events - attracts top regional and
international players in fashion and jewellery design,
ladies’ wear, handbags, men’s wear,
shoes, lingerie, fashion accessories, evening wear,
sportswear, children’s wear and traditional
Indonesian textiles. The final day is open to the
public. |
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| June 06 |
Billabong Pro Surf Contest
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| Keramas Beach |
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| June 10 |
Full Moon |
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| June 17 |
Tumpek Krulut
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| The day for objects which
produce a sound, traditional gamelan instruments
are cleaned, decorated and blessed. Many music clubs
also gather to pray for artistic inspiration and
share food together. |
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| June |
Twenty-seventh Annual Bali
Arts Festival
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| A massive parade of performance
groups representing villages accross the island
opens this month-long festival of art exhibitions
and daily performances of music, dance and drama
presented by groups from Bali, overseas and all
over Indonesia. |
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| June 5-9 |
Indonesian Performing
Arts Mart
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| An international showcase
of performance and cultural groups from Asia and
around the world organized by the Indonesian Ministry
of Culture and Tourism. |
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| June-July |
Kite Festival
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| Staged on the black volcanic
sand beach of Padanggalak, north of Sanur, this
annual event attracts enthusiastic entrants from
as far as America, Australia and Japan. Young men
clad in traditional sarong carry the huge kites
in procession and then fly them, the entire ensemble
accompanied by marching baleganjur orchestras. Judges
score on the visual appearance, balance and aerodynamics
of each kite. |
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| JULY |
| July 1st Week |
Bull Races (Makepung) |
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| In Negara in the Jembrana
Regency of West Bali, bull races are staged to please
the god of harvest. Like thundering Roman chariots,
trained bulls are dressed in silk banners, their
horns painted, and big wooden bells tied around
their necks. Each team is judged on speed and style. |
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| July 10 |
Full Moon
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| July 11-31 |
Rip Curl Pro Surf Contest |
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| Padang-Padang Beach |
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| July 22 |
Tumpek Kandang
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| A day to honour Sanghyang
Rare Angon, the guardian of all cattle and livestock.
All animals owned by a household are blessed, comforted
and well fed on this day. |
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| AUGUST |
| Early August |
Nusa Dua Festival
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| Week-long festivities
organized by the hotels and businesses within the
Nusa Dua resort complex. Begins with a colourful
parade of community cultural groups and continues
with daily schedule of culinary arts, crafts and
cultural programmes. The festival, now in its ninth
year, promises to impress with performances of both
traditional and modern art forms. |
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| Early August |
Payangan Festival
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| An international festival
showcasing traditional performances from all around
the world, with an emphasis on ancient and endangered
Balinese performing art forms - held in the Payangan
community centre over seven nights. |
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| August 8 |
Full Moon |
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| August 15 |
Quicksilver Pro Surf Contest |
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| Halfway Beach |
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| August 17 |
Indonesian Independence
Day |
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| Celebrated with speeches,
ceremonies and games in villages and cities across
the island and throughout Indonesia. In particular,
the night comes alive at the Puputan Square in Denpasar
with interesting gamelan and dance performances. |
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| August 21 |
Isra’ Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad
S.A.W |
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| Celebrates the night journey
of the prophet. |
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| August 26 |
Tumpek Wayang |
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| Late August |
Umbul-Umbul Festival
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| Three days of cultural
activities staged at Puputan Square showcasing giant
Balinese flags, and ending in a flag procession
to Sanur Beach. |
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| SEPTEMBER |
| September 7 |
Full Moon |
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| September 10-17 |
Thirteenth Wismilak International
Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tournament
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| In terms of prize money,
this is the biggest WTA tournament in Southeast
Asia, drawing players and tennis journalists from
around the world. Held at the Grand Hyatt Bali in
Nusa Dua. |
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| September 16 |
Saraswati |
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| September 19 |
Rusty Pro Surf Contest,
Canggu Beach |
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| September 20 |
Pagerwesi |
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| September 24 |
Ramadhan
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| The start of the holy
fasting month for Moslems. |
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| September 30 |
Tumpek Landep |
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| September 30-October
3 |
Ubud Writers & Readers
Festival
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| A celebration of literature
including seminars, workshops and discourses with
the participation of prize-winning authors from
around the world held in various locations around
Ubud. Workshops start September 28. |
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| OCTOBER |
| October 7 |
Full Moon |
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| October - Second Week
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Bali Governor’s
Cup Golf Tournament
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| An anticipated 300-350
golfers compete in this tournament which will run
simultaneously at all the island’s three main
courses Bali Golf & Country Club, Bali Handara
Kosaido Country Club and Nirwana Golf & Country
Club. Participating golfers will be eligible for
attractive lucky draws and other prizes. The overall
winner will walk away with the prestigious Governor’s
Cup presented by Bali’s chief executive. |
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| October 24-25 |
Idul Fitri |
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| A two-day celebration
of the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan
which marks the start of the New Year. Purified
by their fasts, Bali’s Moslems begin the New
Year by calling on friends and family and asking
them for forgiveness for any past misdeeds or slights. |
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| NOVEMBER |
| November 4 |
Tumpek Uduh |
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| November 5 |
Full Moon |
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| November 29 |
Galungan |
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| DECEMBER |
| December 5 |
Full Moon |
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| December 9 |
Kuningan |
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| December 25 |
Christmas Day |
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| Celebrated by Bali’s
Christians in Protestant and Roman Catholic churches
Bali’s hotels are decorated for the day and
many present music of the season sung by children’s
choirs. |
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| December 31 |
Idul Adha |
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Full Moon |
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Public Holiday |
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| August 6 |
Sand Sculpture Contest
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| A sand sculpture making
contest. - Senggigi tourism site |
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| August 17 |
Independence Day |
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| Racing and sailing competitions,
traditional performances, ritual battles, art fairs
and many more festive and cultural events. |
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August
18 – 20 |
Lombok Festival of Presean
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| Mock battles (see July
16 above) by groups from all over Lombok. -
Senggigi |
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| September 21-27 |
Culture Appreciation and Exhibition
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| A week of traditional
cultural events and art exhibitions. - Mataram,
GOR Turide |
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| October 31 |
Lebaran Topat
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| A celebration at the end
of the Muslim fasting month when a traditional food
called topat (rice cakes) is served. - Batulayar |
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| November 5 |
Mulang Pakelam Rinjani
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| On the rim of the crater
of Mount Rinjani, pilgrims present gold and buffalo-head
offerings in gratitude of divine blessings. -
Segare Anak Lake, Mt. Rinjani |
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| December 5 |
Perang Topat
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| An agricultural fertility
ceremony staged during the full moon of the Sasak
calendar in Lingsar temple and in Sasak villages
by both Hindus and Sasaks who cast topat (rice cakes)
at each other. - Lingsar |
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