Bali Travel Information » Bali Culture

Balinese Calender

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:34:09 +0000

There are 2 different type of calender, most people known are Solar System and Lunar System. Solar system, mostly used internationally, is based on how many days the earth rotates around the sun ; so one year has an average 365 days. Lunar Calender is used in some Asian countries, is based on the time taken by the moon to rotate around the earth; which is 29 days + 12 hours + 44 minutes so the equitation times is equal 1 year for the Lunar system.

Bali uses yet another calender system. Balinese Calender uses the wuku system ( based on the week, there are 30 weeks in one cycle, in Balinese = Oton) and 2 “otons” in one year, so one “oton” means 210 days and one year in Balinese Calender System is 2 otons 0r 420 days)

Balinese calender system, widely used for religious purposes such as: to know the auspicious days for farming and raising animals, starting a business, determining the date of temple ceremonies and making birthday ceremonies or you can use this calender planning your Bali tours. simply choose the right date for the right tours itineraries.

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Cremation Ceremony in Bali Island

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:44:44 +0000

Bali is an island unique in the universe. Bali is known for its beautiful landscapes, holly ceremony at Pura (temple), wedding ceremony, sunset in Kuta Beach, the holy mountain, fire dance, crafts, gamelan (music Balinese), also recognized by the majestic ceremony of cremation. The tradition in Bali from birth to death. If you have free time in the near future do not forget a visit to Bali, the last paradise on earth. You see a lot of uniqueness of the ceremony and Balinese rituals. Make sure not to stay at the Hotel Bali in Nusa Dua, or a beautiful villa in Ubud or Candi Dasa. You have the chance to see around Bali. Ask your Balinese guide to learn more about the ritual of the ceremony in the temple or Balinese cremation. You will enjoy great art and Balinese culture directly from your own eyes. Some Bali tours package include this service.
The cremation procession and ceremonies are important rituals in the Hindu rites of passage. The body of the deceased will be transported through the streets of Ubud (or another city) by hundreds or thousands of people at the top of a nine-storey tower called “Baden”. The procession is accompanied by a large and venerated bull effigy décoré (Lembu) and a mythical dragon creature (Naga Banda), with a long tail of five meters. The Naga is reserved only for the elders of the royal family and is rarely seen in cremation ceremonies. The device is not always the same. It depends on the family, and custom background for all families. The royal family will give you the most complete and high ceremony. Ngaben gives a funeral rite in Bali is Hindu society, which seeks to recover the remains of the deceased to the elements from which all living beings and soul of all links in this life.
Ngaben consists of many rituals, culminating in the burning of the corpse of an animal-shaped sarcophagus, as well as the burning of the cremation tower (Baden), whose sole purpose is to transport the body of the home to the cremation grounds.
The Ngaben is not a sad event, it May be happy is a way of the spirit of the dead happy, and not bother crying. But this requires an enormous amount of time, energy and money! All families and friends to share the cost, but often months or years, will be asked to collect enough money and mountains of the offer in question. A solution to the ordinary members of the community to join the burial of wealthy individuals of high caste, or organize Ngaben mass (mass cremation) among the villagers, reducing costs.
What are you waiting for? Go to the nearest agent Travel today and book a hotel in Bali. You can choose from a beach front hotel, villa in a village, plus a room with a view, as the river, Mountain View, overlooking the lake or just a hotel. Remember to use your digital camera and video camera. You will find lots of memories in Bali.

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Balinese Gamelan or Instrumen

admin — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:45:33 +0000

Balinese Insrument or gamelan is very popular, a wide variety of traditional and contemporary musical instruments are available in Bali.

These include gamelan, bamboo, xylophones ( angklung), flute, stringed instruments and drums. A drum manufacturer with international reputation can be found opposite the gas station on jalan Andong, Peliatan, near Ubud.

The village of Sangeh is also known as the home of the one of the world’s most famous flute makers Nyoman Lentong.

Gong and Gamelan instruments are made at Tihingan Village, near Semarapura on Jalan Diponogoro. Most are produced on order from Balinese musical group but some are available for sale. The small village of sawan in the hill to the east of Singaraja also producers gamelan instruments, as does Blahbatuh Village near Ubud.

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OGOH-OGOH in Bali

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:53:18 +0000

Ogoh – Ogoh is a Giant doll made from bamboo frames which are intricately woven and tied and then covered with paper mache. They are made in form of creatures of the underworld known is Balinese as Butakala ” The demon”. The creature are based on characters taken from traditional myths and legends, but sometimes it also take the form of modern characters including even people in the media or in the government that represent the bad spirit. Ogoh-ogoh parade around the street on the eve of Nyepi, known as Hari Pengrupukan. Most main roads are closed off and thousand of people gather to watch the parade. It may take about 30 people to carry a large ogoh-ogoh and each group has team of musician playing gamelan and sometimes male and female dancers. The gamelan ensemble used to company the ogoh-ogoh is called baleganjur which is made up 15 musician playing gongs, cymbals and drums. The louder the music is better, as their function is to scare off any demons before Nyepi Day, the day of silence. After being parade, ogoh-ogoh is ceremoniously burnt to represent the destruction of the demons on earth

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“Odalan” , Temple Ceremony in Bali

admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:00:31 +0000

Bali is known as an island with thousan temples. It is easy to find a temple ceremony elsewhere at anytime. In balinese word temple ceremony is ” Odalan”. Odalan is a celeberation of the first day when the temple was built. Some odalan are short. lasting from 1 to 3 days only, while other can last for up to a month. After the main religious ritual is finished, odalan becomes more social occasion, with dance, music, drama, comedy and shadow puppet plays. Since Bali has its calender system for religious purpose, which cycle 210 days and each temple celebrates their “Odalan” every 210 days, it’s no wonder that’s possible for one to see an odalan ceremony every day somewhere around Bali. Lets Explore Bali, Good Luck!

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Nyepi Day “silence Day” in Bali. Coming Soon !!

admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:57:50 +0000

This Year , Nyepi Day ” Silence Day” fall on 7th of march 2008 in Bali. Nyepi Day or Silence Day is the New Year of Hinduism, which is held on the last day of the 9 th month of Balinese year and the first day of the 10 th month. 3 or 4 day before this new year holiday, all the facilities of the temple will be sacred to the sea and to the spring water. One day before silent day, Balinese people clean not only their homes, sekala (sheen) and niskala (unseen) but also the intersections lead by the priest. In the evening the people roam the village to appease the evil spirit away. The Next day, Nyepi day is spent at home and the people are not allowed to light the fire ( amati geni), work (amati karya), sightsee (amati lelungan). Traditionally, the Day of Nyepi is spent at home fasting in prayer or meditation.

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Bali villages

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:49:38 +0000

Here are some beautiful Bali Villages, if you want see and experience Balinese in their real daily life, you should visit this Bali villages ;

Asak Village, near Amlapura, east Bali. Known for its traditional costumes, stone carving and woven craft.
Bungaya Village, near Amlapura, east Bali. As in Asak Village, this village specialises in traditional arts and craft
Kerambitan Village, near Tabanan. Respected for its music and instrument made out of bamboo
Negara west Bali famous for Bull races
Tenganan A Bali ‘aga’ Village, where the unique ‘geringsing’ cloth is crafted
Trunyan Village on the shore of lake Batur, northeast Bali. An original Bali ‘aga’ village set in spectacular landscape.

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Galungan Day in Bali, 23/1/2008

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:34:27 +0000

“HAPPY GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN”

Galungan is Balinese holidays that occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10 days. Kuningan is the last day of the holiday. Galungan means “When the Dharma (Goodness) is winning”. Today on Wednesday, Galungan Day in Bali . Balinese will try to return to their own ancestral home at some stage during the day, even if they work in another part of this island. This is very special day for families, where offering are made to god and to the family ancestor who have come back to rest at this time in their family temple, visits are made to the village temple with offering as well, and to the homes of other families who may helped the family in some way over the past six months. Tomorrow 24/1/2008 is time for a Holiday, visiting friends, maybe taking opportunity to the mountain for picnic. Everyone is still seen to be in their ” Sunday Best” as they take to the street to enjoy the festive spirit that Galungan brings to Bali. cheers!

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Cultural Park ” GWK ” in Bali

admin — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:29:58 +0000

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural park is a bali tour object alternative at Balinese to strengthen existing tourism infrastructure. With location that strategic, spaced +/- 10 km of Ngurah Rai Airport that can be sailed through just in the period of 10 minute and 20 minutes of Benoa’s harbor. GWK Cultural Park feature farm composition charm that constitute conjugate among Architectural Land Art with natural landscape layout and nature panorama that admirably. GWK Cultural Park is designed as area that will feature supremacy culture, technology and international business.

Upon +/- 250 ha land was standing Wisnu’s Statue as high as 22 meter that epitomized to try a fall universe preserver. Presently, GWK’ statue will be instituted as high as 150 meter appointed as landmark Indonesia tourism.

Drawaned round by rocky stone pillar with Garuda’s statue background, Lotus Pond, acreage get capacity 7500 person, really dramatic for big party such as live music concert, gathering, wedding, dinner party, product launching, special event..Garuda statue that becomes background with tall 18 meter constitutes wisnu’s vehicle realization as epitomizing of freedoms at selfless dedication.

Visiting GWK cultural park will get charming culture experience where monumental’s pride and spiritual assured which perfected by performance spectacular traditional dance parade.

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Galungan Day In Bali Soon,

admin — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:28:53 +0000

Hindhu community in Bali will soon celebrate another great festivity called Galungan Day on 23 january 2007, it falls every 210 days on wednesday kliwon dungulan in their calender. Based on local mythology, it represents the triumph of dharma (truth) against adharma (untruth). To merrily mark this thanksgiving ritual to God, devotees will make a number of obligations filled up with cakes, fruits and other food. Uniquely during the preparation people make a few traditional delicacies for obligation and for sharing with family relatives. Talking about Galungan, people will have direct association with distinctive icon like uli cake and fermented rice or tape as well as lawar dishes. Uli and Tape is made from sticky rice, it is required to fill every unit of obligation, not only used for Galungan obligation, uli and tape are also provided as giveaway to guest attending manusa yadnya ritual ( rites of passage). Beyond the ritual function, they are habitually served as refreshment, either grilled, fried or fresh served with fermented sticky rice.(btn)

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