Nyepi The Balinese New Year

Hari Raya Nyepi - Nyepi Ceremony is a Hindu Day of Silence or the Hindu New Year in the Balinese Saka calendar. The largest celebrations are held in Bali as well as in Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia. On New Year's Eve the villages are cleaned, food is cooked for 2 days and in the evening as much noise is made as possible to scare away the devils. On the following day, Hindus do not leave their homes, cook or engage in any activity. Streets are deserted, and tourists are not allowed to leave hotel complexes. No arrival nor departure flights at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar - Bali. No tours activities... Nyepi Day Calender : Saturday, 05 March 2011 (Caka Year 1933) Friday, 23 March 2012 (Caka Year 1934) Tuesday, 12 March 2013 (Caka Year 1935) Monday, 31 March 2014 (Caka Year 1936) Saturday, 21 March 2015 (Caka, Year 1937) Wednesday, 9 March 2016 (Caka Year 1938) Tuesday, 28 March 2017 (Caka Year 1939) Saturday, 17 March 2018 (Caka Year 1940) Friday, 5 April 2019 (Caka Year 1941) Wednesday, 23 March 2020 (Caka 1942) Nyepi Day (Balinese New Year) is also determined using the Balinese calendar, the eve of Nyepi falling on the night of the new moon whenever it occurs around March/April each year. Therefore, the date for Nyepi

HAPPY GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN DAY BALI!!!

Bali will celebrate Galungan Day on February 01, 2012 and Kuningan day falls on February 11, 2012, exactly ten days after the celebrations of Galungan. It is celebrated once every six months according to the Balinese calendar. Galungan Day is the most important feast for Balinese Hindus, to thank God and feel grateful for his blessing and for the creation of the earth and its contents. Symbolically, Galungan represents the universal struggle of good versus evil. It is a time for personal reflection, to address past wrongdoings and make changes towards a better future.

Deepavali, the Festival of Lights

Deepavali  or Diwali is a one day festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism and is celebrated in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.

Deepavali means "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. Light conquers darkness and during Deepavali houses are lit with rows of lamps to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

“Ngaben,” the Balinese Cremation Ceremony of the Empress of Ubud

By: Prima Ayu

Anak Agung Niang Rai died on 14 May 2011 due to complications of diabetes and a stroke. She was the third wife of the king of Ubud, Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati who died in 1978. She was also the mother of the recent Gianyar regent, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati. Since the day of her death, news about the upcoming great cremation ceremony or Ngaben in Puri Ubud spread around Bali and beyond. Ngaben or the traditional cremation ceremony of Hindu Bali is known as a very attractive cultural event. Therefore, many people wish to witness the rare occassion of a great cremation ceremony. It shows visitors a glimpse into the intricate cultural rites and traditions on Bali.  Thanks to the colorful rites and festive atmospehere Balinese cremations are never a stiff and stately affair.

Kasada, a Celebration Involving a Volcano & lots of People Throwing Stuff in it!

By: Jack Lato

People are divided into two categories in regards to their position in time. People that hang on to the past and those that live for the future; the first tend to live as men did decades or possibly centuries ago. The latter focus more on the present and the future. The Tenggerese at the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, Indonesia possibly belong to the first category. They live the same way as their ancestors; observing cultural traditions, according to the rules set by those before them. One of the rituals they still observe is Yadnya Kasada, an annual sacrificial festival taking place at the crater rim of the Bromo.

Kasada: More than Chickens in a Volcano

Celebrated last Sunday evening to Monday midnight, August 14 – 15 this year, the event actually lasts for a month. This special holy day involves a volcano, the tourist hot spot Bromo, and lots of people throwing stuff in it. Chief of Tourism and Culture of Pasuruan Sub-disctrict, Agung Maryono last Thursday, August 11, 2011 explained some activities and rituals preceded the event.