Nyepi Ceremony

Nyepi Day , The silent day in Bali

Balinese has celebrated New Year on 5 March 2012. It is very unique culture which most of the peope in the world celebrate New Year with party, family holidays, traveling and many more. In Paradise Island of Bali, their celebrate a New year in Silent Day.

The lead up to Nyepi day is as follows:

• Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis (three days before Nyepi on 2 March 2012)
  Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (ie lake, river, etc). Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all the village temples are taken to the river in long and colourful ceremonies. There, they have are bathed by the Neptune of the Balinese Lord, the God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines.
• Tawur Kesanga (the day before Nyepi on 4 March 2012)
  Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh-ogoh (the fantastic monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment which have to be got rid of from our lives . The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.The procession is usually organised by the Seka Teruna, the youth organisation of Banjar. When Ogoh-ogoh is being played by the Seka Teruna, everyone enjoys the carnival. In order to make a harmonic relation between human being and God, human and human, and human and their environments, Tawur Kesanga is performed in every level of society, from the people's house. In the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives.
• Nyepi ( on 5 March 2012)
  On Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. There is usually Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who controls and checks for street security. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs main task is not only to control the security of the street but also to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. No traffic is allowed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. Even love making, this ultimate activity of all leisure times, is not supposed to take place, nor even attempted. The whole day is simply filled with the barking of a few dogs, the shrill of insect and is a simple long quiet day in the calendar of this otherwise hectic island. On Nyepi the world expected to be clean and everything starts anew, with Man showing his symbolic control over himself and the "force" of the World, hence the mandatory religious control.
• Ngembak Geni (the day after Nyepi on 6 March 2012)
  Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Canthi. Dharma Canthi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).

From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is mean to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, eg humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc. that should kept forever. Balinese Hindus have many kind of celebrations (some sacred days) but Nyepi is, perhaps the most important of the island's religious days and the prohibitions are taken seriously, particularly in villages outside of Bali's southern tourist belt. Hotels are exempt from Nyepi's rigorous practices but streets outside will be closed to both pedestrians and vehicles (except for airport shuttles or emergency vehicles) and village wardens (Pecalang) will be posted to keep people off the beach. So wherever you happen to be staying on Nyepi Day in Bali, this will be a good day to spend indoors. Indeed Nyepi day has made Bali a unique island.

If you wish to experience stay in Bali Island on Nyepi day, we recommend you to book the accommodation from the day before nyepi days. Utmost of travel agent will create packages called Nyepi Day packages, for sure packages are inclusive breakfast ,lunch and dinner. Lets booking bali accommodation arrange your  travel needs

Barong Keris Dance

Barong Keris Dance in Batubulan

Barong Keris Dance in Batubulan is one of the most demanded tourist attraction in Bali. Your holiday in Bali would be incomplete if you do not see this show.

Barong Keris Dance come from ancient pre-Hindu culture. The meaning of this show is very deep. It is depict a fight between good deeds and evil deeds. The good deeds represented by Barong which looks like tiger with four legs and the evil deeds represented by Rangda; the terifying figure with fang and long tongue, which is kind’a creepy.

 

Barong Keris Dance Types

There are many kinds of Barong Keris Dance in Bali, namely Barong Ket, Barong Bangkal (babi), Barong Gajah, Barong Asu (anjing), Barong Brutuk, and Barong-Barongan. Barong Ket, or Barong Ketket is the most famous of all, because it has a complete and detailed costume. You more likely to see Barong Ketket than the others since it’s more entertaining than the others.

Barong Ket figure is looks like a combination of tiger, lion and ox. Its body decorated with leather ornaments, mirror pieces, the feather made of pandan’s fiber. Barong Ket and other barongs are normally played by two persons. one in front, and one in the back. The front man controls the front area of the Barong and obviously the head. The back man controls the rear legs and tail. The show requires a very good cooperation between players. They have to be connected in mind and body movement, of course before the show, they are trained very well.

At glance, the Bali Barong figure looks slightly similar with the Chinese Guradian Lions, but it is not the same and they have different meaning and purposes.

Barong Keris Dance sanctity

Even though Barong Ket now often performed as tourist attraction, it still considered as sacred dance. The sanctity of Barong Ket started from the very beginning. From selecting the proper wood for its mask, choosing the right day to coloring the mask, creating the framework, selecting the feather and even choosing the performer.

When you see Barong Keris dance, you actually see a very carefully crafted, sacred Bali tradition. That is why, your trip to Bali would be incomplete without seeing Barong Keris dance performance.

Bali Handicrafts

7 Amazing Types of Bali Handicrafts

 

There are various kinds of Bali handicrafts which have become famous nowadays as export products or souvenirs. Entire villages, especially in Central Bali are dedicated to one specific craftsmanship such as painting, mask carving, stone sculpting, batik or silver jewelry.

The Balinese people are a very creative kind of people and it seems they can make anything that comes to mind. For centuries they are trained in making the most beautiful pieces of Bali handicrafts for the temples and palaces of their kings.

Their skills are inherited through family traditions and throughout the years taken to an amazing level.

Now they still produce various types of art for temples but most of them focus on the export since they can make a lot more money with this trade.

Here are a couple of villages, which I think are worth visiting when you are looking for that special piece of painting, silver jewelry or statue...

Bali Masks:
When I stop in the Balinese village of Mas on the way from Denpasar to Ubud I’m always surprised to see how talented the Balinese are.
The woodcarving pieces are amazing especially the Balinese.
Not only are the masks an amazing sight, but each one of them have their own story to tell...




Bali Statue:
If you need huge Buddha's, horses, Hindu depictions, life-sized Indians or Hawaiian Tikis then the village of Batubulan just north of Denpasar is the place to go.
Here the art of carving statues has reached a very high level even though they were originally carved for decorating thousands of temples on the island...




Bali Paintings:
The Balinese were not familiar with the word ‘art’ or ‘artist’ since they had never considered it to be art.
For them it was part of daily religious life, just like working in the rice fields. This changed when foreigners arrived in the 1920's and the Balinese adopted new painting techniques resulting into amazing pieces of art...




Bali Batik:
This is one of Indonesia's most famous and complicated traditional art form of all the Bali Handicrafts.
It's a technique that applies patterns of different colours to cloth by dyeing in several stages and by applying wax after each stage to protect areas of unwanted colour.


 
Bali Textile:
The best Bali sarongs are from the town of Blaju, Tenganan and Gianyar.
In Gianyar there's a textile factory where you can observe the natural dyeing process, hand weaving and learn how raw cotton becomes hand spun thread. A sarong might come in handy when you visit any of Bali's famous temples...


 
Gold and silver:
Celuk, just north of Denpasar is the place to be if you're interested in the Bali handicrafts of gold or silver.
Traditionally this village has been the place where gold and silver smiths work with precision on the finest jewelry available on the island. Here also counts that the best deals are to be had in the alleys and the back roads...



Wayang Kulit:
This mystical and playful form of art involves two dimensional shadow puppets that have entertained the people in Indonesia for generations.
Once placed between the white screen and oil lamp the puppets become alive...



When I find more of these villages where you can find beautiful hand-made pieces of art I'll try to let you know as soon as possible so you can have a look yourself and dive into all the Bali handicrafts on display…

Cremation Ceremony

Ngaben The Cremation Ceremony in Bali

Ngaben is one of Hindu’s great ceremony in Bali where the corpse is burnt, accompanied by holly songs and offerings. Hindu’s believe that ngaben will return the soul of a dead person to their abode in heaven or send the dead through a transition to his next life. Ngaben is also a form of a respect to their parents by releasing the soul from worldly attachment. Families that conduct ngaben ceremony generally try not to cry at the grave yard since they believe that tears would only incommode the deceased journey to their eternal abode.

 How to counduct a Ngaben?

Few days before the climax ceremony, the family would consult the “dewasa” (good day) to a priest to determine the proper day to conduct this ceremony. The process began by built a stage as a place for nyiramin (bathing the corpse), made a lembu (a buffalo shaped sarcophagus where the corpse will be put into and burnt) and wadah (temple structure made of paper, bamboo and light wood). This lembu will be carried to the village grave yard in a procession.

Before climax ceremony, all family members will give their last respect and begun to pray in order the deceased will somehow get a better place in heaven. Afterward the corpse will be put into wadah and carried to graveyard, followed by flock of people and gamelan (Balinese traditional music) and “kidung suci” (holy mantra). In front of the wadah, there will be placed a long piece of  kasa (white cloth) heading the ways of the deceased soul to reach their eternal abode.

Ever past T-junction or crossroad, wadah will be turned clockwise three times in order the soul will not return to his or her home. Arrive at the graveyard, the corpse then will transferred to lembu, followed by mantra chanting by the priest and the lembu will be burnt and it ash carried to sea or river. When all ceremony had been completed, the deceased considered as ancestor, who believed will reincarnate into their family.

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Wedding Ceremony

Hindus have a purpose in life called the Artha Purusa Catur Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. This can not be realized at once but gradually.

Stages to achieve the four goals of life is called the Chess Hostel. At this stage of life goals Brahmacari priority boarding for Dharma. Boarding priority Grhasta realize artha and kama. While in Wanaprasta Boarding and Boarding Sanyasa prioritized goals to achieve moksa.

Marriage or Wiwaha is an attempt to realize the purpose of life Grhasta Dormitory. Main tasks of ejection by Grhasta Boarding Parwa Agastya is to realize a life that is called "magic Kayika yatha Dharma" which means the ability to implement the Dharma itself. So a Grhasta should really be able to independently realize the Dharma in this life. Independence and professionalism is what should really be prepared by a Hindu who wanted to take marriage.

In a marriage there are two goals that must be resolved by realizing that completely artha and kama are based on Dharma.

In the preparation stage, a person who will enter the marriage in desperate need of guidance, especially to do with success or minimize the barriers that may arise. Guidance will be very good if given by an expert in the field of Hindu religion, especially concerning the duties and obligations of a grhastha, to be independent within the manifest destiny to get artha and kama based on Dharma.

Purify Self

Marriage is essentially a yadnya to provide an opportunity for fathers to incarnate again in order to improve his karma. Sarasamuscaya biblical verse 2 mentioned "Ri sarwa sakwehning bhuta, iking Janam gumaweakenikang wang authorities also asubha karma subha, subha ring worm panentasakena karma karma also ikang asubha dadi pahalaning wang" means: from this number all living creatures, who was born as a human that's all I can do good or bad. As for consolidation bad deeds into good deeds, it is useful to be human.

Associated with the verse in the bag, karma only incarnate as a human being, karma can be improved to a perfect karma subha. Have children through marriage and keep it with real affection to a yadnya ancestors. Moreover if the child can be nurtured and educated to be human suputra, would constitute an act exceeding one hundred yadnya, as mentioned in Slokantara

Hindu marriage is a holy and sacred, and therefore the Vedic era, the marriage is determined by a sage, who can see clearly, beyond the spiritual vision, who will be married couples. With a view of an expert or a Brahmin Rishi Sista, fit or not fitting of a married couple will be seen clearly.

Couples who do not fit (in spirit) is recommended to cancel his marriage plans, because it can definitely be fatal to both families involved. After days of Dharma Sastra, the couple no longer reconcilable by the sage, but by the king or brides parents, by considering the mundane, such as maintaining the dignity of the family, consideration of wealth, beauty, kegantengan and others. When this started declining spiritual values as a basis for consideration.

In the modern era and the era of globalization, as now, the role of parents probably have not so dominant in determining mate sons. Young children more now determine their own soul mate. Determination mate by themselves are very tergantuang on their ability levels to marriage. But it seems more determined by worldly considerations, such as physical beauty, the degree of family and social measures rather than the degree of economic and spiritual.

Meaning and Symbol

Marriage Law No. 1 th 1974, the validity of a marriage is legal according to their respective religions. So, for Hindus, through the process of religious ceremony called "Mekala-kalaan" (natab banten), usually dipuput by a pinandita. The ceremony was held at the home page (middle Natah) because it is the central point of the power of "Kala Bhucari" as ruler of the area housing madyaning theater. Makala-kalaan derived from the word "time" which means energy. Kala is a manifestation of power that has quality kama keraksasaan (asuri sampad), so as to give effect to the bride and groom usually called the "sebel bold".

With mekala-kalaan ceremony as a means of neutralizing (nyomia) when the power is negative in order to be when hita or to change the quality of godhead (Daiwi Sampad). So please panugrahan of Bhucari Sang Hyang Kala, nyomia Sang Hyang Kala Sang Hyang nareswari be Semara Jaya and Sang Hyang Semara Ruth.

So the meaning of the ceremony as mekala-kalaan legalization of marriage the couple through the process of purification, as well as purified contained the seeds of both families, a sukla (spermatozoa) of men and women bride (ovum) from the bride.

Tools Ceremony Mekala-kalaan

1. Sanggah Surya
On the right hung biyu lalung and protested to the left of hanging a kulkul berem. Surya is corrected niyasa (symbol) Stana Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, in this case is the god Surya and stananya Sang Hyang Semara Jaya and Sang Hyang Semara Ruth.

Biyu lalung is the symbol of the strength purusa Widhi and Sang Hyang Hyang Purusa is manifest as Sang Hyang Semara Jaya, as the god of virtue, beauty, wisdom groom symbol.

Kulkul contains prakertinya power symbol berem Sang Hyang Widhi and manifest as Sang Hyang Semara Ratih, the god of beauty and wisdom of the symbol of the bride.

2. Centipedes nareswari Kala (Kala Badeg)
Blonde bride, who is placed as a base upakara mekala-kalaan and occupied by both the prospective bride.

3. Tikeh Dadakan (small mats)
Impromptu Tikeh occupied by the bride as a symbol of the hymen (Hymen) of women. When viewed from a spiritual angle, tikeh impromptu as a symbol of strength is Sang Hyang Prakerti (yoni power).

4. Keris
Kris as Sang Hyang Purusa strength (strength phallus) grooms. Usually nyungklit kris, viewed from the side spritualnya as a symbol of the groom kepurusan.

5. White Yarn
In kalaan made mekala-white thread and a half meters long, consisting of 12 pitches threads into one, and at both ends of each string is attached to the branches of trees as high as 30 cm dapdap.

Number 12 is symbolic of sebel 12 days, which is taken from a story by the Kauravas Pandavas conviction for 12 years. Mekala ceremony, the bride sebel automatic kalaan called sebel kandalan be annihilated with the purification ceremony.

From the spiritual aspect of this thread as a symbol of the layers of life, means that the bride was ready to increase the natural life of the natural Brahmacari to Grhasta Dormitory Dormitory.
6. Tegen - tegenan
Tegen-tegenan meaning is a symbol of the takeover of the responsibility scale and timeless.
Device tegen-tegenan:
- Cane means living bride could mean life stages such as sugarcane thing vertebra by vertebra, is sweet.
- Hoe as a symbol Ardha Candra. Hoe as a means of working, based on the Dharma berkarma
- Pots symbol windhu
- But coconut symbol brahman (Sang Hyang Widhi)
- A crab sign language symbol and kerahayuan offspring begging.

7. Suwun-suwunan (jinjingan facilities)
The form of baskets that carry the bride, which includes taro, turmeric, rice and spices symbolize a woman's task or mengmbangkan wife's husband provided the seed, is expected as turmeric and taro tree comes from a small seed grow into a large.

8. Trade-trade
Represents the agreement of the husband and wife to build a home and ready to bear all risks arising from the marriage as an agreement among sellers and buyers in commercial transactions.

9. Broom stick (3 more)
Rich Tri Parisudha symbol. The bride and groom looking at each other with each other, signals to warn each other and spur each other to remember the obligations of conduct Tri RNA, based on good words, good behavior and good thoughts, besides that it warned against brave face trials and domesticity.

10. Rod Kupakan (coconut fibers)
Coconut fibers split three, in which an egg filled with ducks, and then covered again in the outer colored yarn tied with three (tri Datu). Coconut fibers split in three symbols of TRIGUNA (satwam, rajas, tamas). Yarn Tridatu symbol of Tri Murti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) suggests purity.

Duck egg symbol beads. Bride of coconut fibers to each other kick (metanjung rod) three times, after which symbolically occupied by the bride. If having a dispute in order to beat each other, and rapidly in each individual to realize directly. Always remember to purification, so that power can be controlled TRIGUNA. After the ceremony kalapa fibers are placed under the bed bride.
11. Tetimpug
Three stems of bamboo were burned with fire aimed dayuh pleaded penyupatan of Sang Hyang Brahma.

After the ceremony finished mekala-kalaan followed by ridding itself (bath) it is called the "Angelus wimoha" which means implementing changes asuri sampad power nyomia be daiwi bhuta sampad or when nareswari nyomia to become Sang Hyang Semara Jaya and Sang Hyang Semara Ratih to expectations from this marriage were born children suputra.

After a shower bridal dress decorated natab great as it would on the couch which is grateful to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. Then on the next good day will be held ceremony Widhi Widana (rules and give thanks to Hyang Widhi). Last pepamitan ceremony to the bride's house.

Bali Zoo Park

Bali zoo park

The zoo is open daily from 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM, except for Nyepi Day.
On Wednesday & Saturday open from 09.00 AM to 09.30 PM
You can come to the zoo at any time during an opening hours until a hour before closing time.
Check out our Zoo Calender for details on what’s happening on the days you plan to visit.

 Bali Zoo is strategically located in Singapadu Village, Sukawati District, Gianyar, Bali. It is an art-village as the home of well known Balinese artists. Bali Zoo can be easily reached, it is close to Denpasar capital city and the other popular tourists activities centre such Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Ubud. It takes about 20 minutes from Denpasar or  45 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport by Taxi or Tour Bus.

Zoo Admission

Zoo

Adult US $24, Child US $12, Family US $65

• Child : 2-12 years old. Family : 2 Adult + 2 child
• * Day Zoo last check in at 5.00 pm

Treewalk

Adult US $15, Child US $10, Family US $45

• Child : 2-12 years old. Family : 2 Adult + 2 child
• * Day Zoo last check in at 5.00 pm

 

My Profile

Welcome to our Paradise Island!                                              Member TripAdvisor

That's the usual word I often use when meet my friend or guest from other city/ country... Yes, because I loved history and sharing our cultural philosophy with traveler. I'm appreciated people cultural anywhere at the world, learn it make us wisely person.

Well, now I would like to introduce my self. My name is Agung Jati Kesuma, I was born on 11January '82 and I have graduated from  my college at  tourism university in Bali for 10 years ago . I was studied in Singaraja (north of Bali) for three years, and I am a person who like to do learn about new things. Then finally i love this kind of job, bringing people around the place in bali, my home town and i always glad to meet new people from all over the world. I able to speak English, Japanese, Spanish and even a little German. That's  what I have learned since I was in Junior high school. It will help me to communicate, and explain you about Bali

I'm here to lead you explore Balinese island. I'll show you the beauty of volcano, temples, historic place, art, and  culture that most travelers never see in comfortably, safety, secure and with flexibility that allows you to go at you own pace, even experience the amazing views or phenomenon of volcano environment.

Lets explore to Bali island (island of Paradise)! 

Bali is One of the world’s most exciting holiday destinations. Bali has always had a special attraction for the international traveller. The beauty of Bali is that it has everything – beaches, mountains, jungle, thousands of shops, amazing restaurants, nightlife, traditional dance, and the most beautiful people with a culture steeped in tradition and Hindu religion. It is a vibrant place in parts, and untouched in others. Bali is known as “ The Island of the Gods “ and is a true paradise for a great holiday

In Bali, every day is a new experience. However, when you leave, you will leave with a blessing from a spirit from paradise.

Bali welcomes travelers on any budget to spend their vacation!
Go to Bali and experience it yourself - before someone else does.
I am sure you will find a lot of experience and fun when visiting our island.