BALINESE
CALENDAR
The Indonesian government sets national holy days every year, both
fixed and moveable dates. The fixed national holidays on the Gregorian
calendar are the international New Year, Jan. 1; Independence Day,
Aug. 17; and Christmas, Dec. 25. The Christian Good Friday, Easter
Day, and Ascension Day, the Balinese new year, Nyepi, and the Buddhist
Waisak are also national holidays. These holy days and all the Muslim
holy days are based on the moon cycle.
The official Muslim holidays in Indonesia for 2002 are:
-
Idul Fitri
Dec 6-7. The end of the Muslim fasting month, Ramadan, also
called Lebaran. It is very difficult to travel just before and
just after Idul Fitri everywhere except Bali, as just about
everyone wants to return to their home village to celebrate
and then return to their places of work in the cities.
-
Idul Adha
February 23. The day of Abraham's sacrifice and the day that
the haji pilgrims circle the Kaaba in Mecca.
-
Hijryah
March 15. The Islamic New Year, when Muhammad traveled from
Mecca to Medina.
-
Maulud
Nabi Muhammad SAW May 25. Muhammad's birthday.
-
Isra Mi'raj
Nabi Muhammad SAW. October 4. When Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Calendar
Event of Bali
Bali runs simultaneously
on several different calendrical systems, including the Western
The important Balinese holidays include:
-
Nyepi
Balinese New Year is a day of silence and meditation. It
falls in March or April each year on the day after the new moon,
about the time of the vernal equinox. On Nyepi no physical activity
occurs. This means no fire (cooking, electricity), no work,
no travel, and no entertainment. Special dispensation is allowed
for tourist buses and transportation between the airport and
hotels only. Other touring is not allowed. Visitors must stay
in their hotels where special permits grant minimal use of lights
and minimal activities. Those staying outside hotels or in losmens
will be required to observe the day of silence. This "silence"
is taken seriously and should be respected by visitors.
-
The day
after Nyepi is Ngembak Nyepi and the roads are crowded
with people visiting family, friends, temples, dances and drama
performances.
-
Galungan
begins on the Wednesday of Dungulan, the 11th week of 30-week
pawukon cycle. Pre-Galungan rituals involve offerings of animal
sacrifices. One Galungan morning, everyone visits temples carrying
colorful offerings.
-
Kuningan,
10 days after Galungan on the Saturday of Kuningan, the 12th
week, marks the end of the celebration. It is a time for family
gatherings, prayers and still more offerings as deified ancestors
return to heaven.
-
The last
day of the pawukon calendar, the Saturday of the Watugunung
week, is Saraswati Day, when Saraswati, the goddess of
knowledge and literature is honored. All books are blessed and
no reading or writing is allowed. The next day, the first day
of the first pawukon week, Sinta, is Banyupinaruh, when everyone
goes to the beach for cleansing ceremonies. For further information
please find calendar event 2002 out at
www.kecak.com
Temple Festivals
in Bali
The temple
festivals which are based on the 210 days pawukon calendar (odalan)
last alternatively one day or three days. Some of the major ones
are listed by the number and name of the Balinese week, then day
of the week:
-
1.Sinta,
Wednesday: Pura Kehen, Bangli
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6.Gumbereg,
Wednesday: Pura Desa/Puseh, Guang, Sukawati, Gianyar
-
7. Wariga,
Saturday: Pura Desa/Puseh, Batuan, Giayar
-
11. Dunggulan,
Friday: Pura Ulun Siwi, Jimbaran,
-
12. Kuningan,
Friday: Pura Taman Pule, Mas, Ubud, Gianyar
-
13. Langkir,
Wednesday: Pura Tanah Lot, Tabanan
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14. Medangsia
Tuesday: Pura Luwur Uluwatu, Jimbaran,
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16. Pahang,
Wednesday: Pura Air Jeruk, Sukawati, Giayar
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19. Dwi
Tambir: Tuesday, Pura Dalem Puri, Batuan 21. Matal, Wed: Pura
Puseh/Desa, Sukawati
-
22. Uye,
Saturday: Pura Puseh/Desa, Gianyar
-
24. Prangbakat,
Wednesday :Pura Rambut Siwi, Jembrana, Negara
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27. Wayang,
Saturday: Pura Bhatara Ratu Gede, Celuk, Gianyar
-
29. Dukut,
Tuesday: Pura Dalem Batuyang, Batubulan, Giayar
-
30. Watugunung,
Saturday (Saraswati Day): Pura Banjar Tengah, Peliatan, Ubud,
Gianyar
The temple
festivals based on the lunar calendar (usaba) begin on the full
moon of the relevant month and last for several days. The major
ones are:
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