Significant ceremonial days in the Balinese Calendar
What do all those Bali ceremonies mean? We answer your questions. Image by inno kurnia from Pixabay
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The significance of key ceremonial days in the Balinese calendar
During your stay in Bali, you will see the Balinese performing daily ceremonies as part of their Balinese Hindu religion.
Each day sees typical ceremonial offerings to the big public temples, as well as village, family, and workplace temples.
But in addition to this daily offering, there are over 100 different ceremonial days in the 210-day cycle of the Pawukon calendar and the Saka Lunar calendar (which combined with the western or Gregorian calendar comprise the ‘Balinese calendar’) and these all have special offering requirements of varying degrees of complexity.
The different ceremonial days in the Balinese calendar hold significant cultural, religious, and spiritual importance for the Balinese people.
These ceremonial days are deeply rooted in Balinese Hinduism and are observed to maintain harmony with the spiritual realm, seek blessings, and honor deities and ancestors.
Here are some key aspects of the significance of these ceremonial days:
1. Balinese Hindu Beliefs
The Balinese people believe in the existence of various deities, spirits, and forces of good and evil. The ceremonial days are dedicated to appeasing and honoring these divine beings, seeking their blessings, and maintaining a harmonious relationship with them.
2. Balinese Hindu Rituals
The ceremonial days provide opportunities for the Balinese people to perform various rituals and offerings. These rituals involve prayers, chants, dances, processions, and the presentation of offerings to deities and ancestors. The rituals are believed to purify the soul, bring prosperity, and ensure the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
3. Balinese Community Bonding
The ceremonial days serve as occasions for the Balinese community to come together, strengthen social bonds, and celebrate their shared cultural and religious heritage. People gather in temples, participate in processions, and engage in communal activities, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.
4. Balinese Calendar System
The Balinese calendar is complex and consists of various cycles, weeks, and auspicious days. Each ceremonial day has its own unique significance and purpose. These days are determined based on astrological calculations, lunar phases, and traditional beliefs. The Balinese people consult the calendar to plan important events, ceremonies, and festivals.
5. Ancestral Reverence
Many ceremonial days are dedicated to honoring ancestors and deifying them. The Balinese people believe in the presence and influence of their ancestors in their daily lives. Through offerings and rituals, they express gratitude, seek guidance, and ask for protection from their ancestors.
6. Balinese Cultural Identity
The ceremonial days play a crucial role in preserving and promoting Balinese cultural identity. They showcase traditional arts, music, dance, and costumes. The rituals and ceremonies are passed down through generations, ensuring the continuity of Balinese customs and traditions.
Overall, the significance of the different ceremonial days in the Balinese calendar lies in their role in maintaining spiritual harmony, seeking blessings, fostering community bonds, preserving cultural identity, and honoring ancestors. These days are integral to the Balinese way of life and reflect the deep-rooted religious and cultural beliefs of the Balinese people.
Significant Balinese ceremonial days and their meaning
As mentioned earlier, there are over 100 ceremonial days in a 210-day cycle of the Pawukon calendar, which means that in any month that you visit Bali, there are likely to be 10 or more days that have a ceremony of some degree of importance and complexity.
You can see these days and their dates listed in our article, The Balinese Calendar and how it guides everyday life in Bali. You can check this article to see exactly what ceremonies are happening on the days you are visiting Bali.
While each of these days is critically important to the Balinese, some are more minor ceremonies or become significant for individual families or villages when they are used as a reference to identify auspicious or inauspicious days for conducting other ceremonies, such as a cremation, wedding, tooth filing, and so on.
For visitors to Bali the complexity is mind boggling, but you are probably reading this article to get a ‘bird’s eye view’ of Bali ceremonies.
So, rather than explaining the meaning of each of these days here, let’s explore the main significant days and their meaning.
The first three are ones you are very likely to hear about: Gulungan, Kuningan and Nyepi, so let’s start with them.
1. Galungan
Gaulungan is one of Bali’s most important ceremonies. Image by hartono subagio from Pixabay
Galungan is a ten-day religious celebration in Bali that is part of the Pawukon cycle, the Balinese calendar system. It is considered the most important regular religious celebration in the Pawukon cycle.
Galungan marks the time when the deified ancestors of the family return to their former homes. During this period, families welcome and entertain their ancestors with prayers and offerings. It is a time for prayer, family gatherings, and making offerings. A beautiful feature of Galungan are the colourful ‘penjor’ that line the streets of every Balinese village. These penjors are made from a curving bamboo pole decorated with woven palm fronds, flowers, and colourful ribbon and cloth.
The celebration is preceded by Penyekeban, where green bananas are sealed in clay pots to ripen quickly for offerings, and followed by Penyajaan, where many colored cakes of fried rice dough are made for offerings. Galungan is followed by Kuningan, which marks the end of the Galungan celebration (see below).
The ten days between Wednesday of Dunggulan, the 11th week, and Saturday of Kuningan, the 12th week, are a period called Galungan, or the Galungan Days, starting on the day Galungan and ending on the day Kuningan. During this period, commerce practically ceases, schools are closed, and the normal life of the village concentrates exclusively upon the events surrounding this very sacred period.
2. Kuningan
Yellow rice is a feature of the Kuningan day festivities, and every family makes their own - often with varying degrees of yellowness!
Kuningan is an important religious day in Bali that marks the end of the ten-day Galungan period. It falls on Saniscara (Saturday) of Week 12 in the Balinese calendar. Kuningan is a time when the deified ancestors, who had returned to their former homes during Galungan, ascend back to the spiritual realm. It is believed that on this day, the ancestors bring blessings and protection to their living descendants.
During Kuningan, families make special offerings and prayers to honor their ancestors and express gratitude for their presence. These offerings typically include yellow rice, fruits, cakes, and other symbolic items. The color yellow holds significance as it represents prosperity and spiritual enlightenment.
Kuningan is also a time for Balinese people to engage in various festive activities. It is a day for visiting family and friends, enjoying leisure time, and participating in community events. The day after Kuningan is usually called Manis Kuningan, which is a time for a holiday, visiting, and fun.
Overall, Kuningan is a significant religious day in Bali that signifies the departure of the ancestors and serves as a time for offerings, prayers, family gatherings, and community festivities.
3. Nyepi
Approach the Ogoh-Ogoh with caution - they are scary!
Nyepi, also known as the Day of Silence, is one of the most important and unique religious observances in Bali. It is a day of self-reflection, meditation, and purification that marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year. Nyepi is based on the Hindu philosophy of balancing the forces of good and evil and seeking harmony with nature and the spiritual realm.
The celebration of Nyepi begins with a series of rituals and events leading up to the main day. One of the significant rituals is the Melasti ceremony, where sacred objects and effigies representing gods and deified ancestors are taken to the holy springs or the sea for symbolic purification. This is followed by the Bhuta Yajna ceremony, where loud noises, flames, and chaos are created to scare away evil spirits.
You will also see giant paper mache effigies of monsters all over Bali and these are often made by the youth groups in many villages. They are called Ogoh Ogoh and are designed to scare off the evil spirits the day before Nyepi. If you take a photo, offer some small money (Rp 10k to Rp 50k) to the young guys hanging around - they build their Ogoh Ogoh entirely with donations from villagers and their own pocket money, and a small gift from you will be very well received.
On the day of Nyepi itself, the entire island of Bali comes to a complete standstill. It is a day of silence, fasting, and introspection. The Balinese people are expected to stay indoors and refrain from any form of entertainment, work, or travel. The purpose of this is to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, as well as to deceive the evil spirits (who were scared away the day before by all the noise and the scary Ogoh Ogoh) into thinking that the island is uninhabited, so they move on elsewhere.
During Nyepi, the streets are empty, and all businesses, including the airport and seaports, are closed. The use of electricity and lights is minimized, and even minimal noise is discouraged. The only people allowed to move around are the Pecalang, traditional security guards who ensure that the rules of Nyepi are followed.
Nyepi is a time for self-reflection, meditation, and spiritual cleansing. It is an opportunity for individuals to contemplate their actions, seek forgiveness, and set intentions for the coming year. Many Balinese people spend the day in prayer, meditation, and reading religious texts.
For tourists, rest assured that if you stay in a hotel or villa, you will find a skeleton staff and food service. You will find that noisy activities like poolside games and music will be cancelled, but you can still swim in the pool. The Balinese respect that you are a paying guest on holiday and just ask in return that you respect the silent day by being respectful and staying within the hotel or villa grounds. Don’t jump on your scooter and drive around. In reality, in modern times we tend to see activity pick up in the afternoons and the locals get bored (particularly the youth!) but as guests, we should respect the whole day and take it as an opportunity to relax, read, meditate, and chill.
The day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, is a time for socializing, visiting family and friends, and engaging in recreational activities. It is a day of celebration and renewal after a period of introspection and silence. See the separate entry for more detail.
Overall, Nyepi is a unique and deeply spiritual observance in Bali that emphasizes self-reflection, silence, and harmony with nature. It is a time for the Balinese people to reconnect with their spiritual beliefs, cleanse their souls, and start the new year with a sense of peace and purity.
4. Ngembak Geni
Ngembak Geni is a time to emerge from the silence of Nyepi and reconnect with your friends in the village.
Ngembak Geni is a Balinese holiday that takes place on the day after Nyepi, the Day of Silence. It is a time for socializing, visiting family and friends, and engaging in recreational activities. The name "Ngembak Geni" means "relighting the fire," which symbolizes the renewal of social connections and the return to normal daily life after the period of introspection and silence.
On Ngembak Geni, the Balinese people come out of their homes and engage in various activities. Many people visit their relatives and friends, exchange gifts, and share meals together. It is also a time for cultural performances, such as traditional dances and music, and sporting events, such as kite flying and cockfighting.
One of the significant rituals of Ngembak Geni is the Omed-Omedan, a kissing ritual that takes place in the village of Sesetan in Denpasar. Young men and women gather in the streets and engage in a playful water fight. The men chase the women and try to kiss them, while the women try to avoid being kissed. The ritual is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the village.
Ngembak Geni is a time for celebration and renewal after the period of introspection and silence of Nyepi. It is an opportunity for the Balinese people to reconnect with their social connections, engage in recreational activities, and celebrate the start of the new year.
Overall, Ngembak Geni is a unique and joyful holiday in Bali that emphasizes social connections, cultural performances, and recreational activities. It is a time for celebration and renewal after the period of introspection and silence in Nyepi.
5. Purnama
The full moon is a significant time for the Balinese and gives rise to the Purnama ceremony.
Purnama, also known as the full moon day, holds great significance in Balinese culture and religious practices. It is considered a sacred time when the moon is believed to be at its most powerful and auspicious state. Purnama is celebrated every month, and each month has its own unique significance and rituals associated with it.
During Purnama, Balinese people engage in various religious activities and ceremonies to honor the gods and seek blessings. Temples are adorned with decorations, and offerings are made to deities. The Balinese believe that during Purnama, the gods descend to Earth to bestow their blessings upon devotees.
One of the most notable Purnama celebrations is the full moon ceremony at Pura Besakih, known as the Mother Temple of Bali. This ceremony attracts a large number of devotees who come to pay their respects and seek spiritual guidance. The temple complex is beautifully decorated, and offerings are made to the deities.
Apart from the religious aspect, Purnama is also a time for cultural performances and entertainment. Traditional dances, music, and theatrical performances are held to celebrate the occasion. These performances showcase the rich artistic heritage of Bali and add to the festive atmosphere of Purnama.
Overall, Purnama is a significant monthly celebration in Bali that honors the power of the full moon and provides an opportunity for spiritual devotion, cultural expression, and community gathering. It is a time when the Balinese people come together to express their gratitude, seek blessings, and celebrate their cultural traditions.
6. Kajeng Kliwon
Every 15 days in Bali the Kajeng Kliwon ceremony is held, so there is a good chance you will witness on during your stay.
Kajeng Kliwon is a significant day in the Balinese calendar that occurs every 15 days. It is believed to be a time when the physical and spiritual worlds are in a state of balance, and the forces of good and evil are equally strong. Kajeng Kliwon is considered a good day for prayer and religious ceremonies, but it is also believed to be a dangerous day when evil spirits are more active.
During Kajeng Kliwon, Balinese people make special offerings to guard against the spirits and protect themselves from harm. Women are often seen placing offerings on the ground outside the gates of their house compounds. Kajeng Kliwon is also an important day for making offerings to objects that possess magical spirits, such as dance masks and wayang kulit shadow puppets.
Kajeng Kliwon is usually shown on the tika, which is a type of Balinese calendar. The symbols for Kajeng Kliwon on the tika show up on every other vertical column, and each successive symbol is one horizontal line down from the previous one.
Apart from the religious aspect, Kajeng Kliwon is also a time for community gatherings and cultural events. Many temple anniversary festivals and other religious ceremonies are held on Kajeng Kliwon, providing an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their cultural traditions.
Overall, Kajeng Kliwon is a significant day in the Balinese calendar that represents the balance between the physical and spiritual worlds. It is a time for prayer, offerings, and protection against evil spirits, as well as community gatherings and cultural celebrations.
7. Tilem
Tilem is the new moon ceremony that counters the fear of the evil spirits being more active in the dark of the night.
Tilem is a term used in Bali to refer to the new moon phase of the lunar cycle. It is an important time in the Balinese calendar and holds significant religious and cultural significance.
Tilem is associated with darkness, fear, and death, as the new moon is believed to be a time when evil spirits are more active. Many Pura Dalems, which are temples dedicated to the Hindu god Siwa, hold their anniversaries on a Tilem day. It is believed to be a time when the power of Siwa, the dissolver of life, is particularly strong.
On the night of Tilem, known as Siwa Latri, it is customary for people to stay up all night and meditate on Siwa. This practice is especially encouraged in schools. Additionally, an all-night meditation ceremony is held at Pura Jagat Natha, the big temple in Denpasar.
Tilem Kepitu, which falls in January, is considered the darkest night of the year as it is closest to the December solstice. It is naturally associated with Siwa and holds special significance.
While Tilem is an important time for religious observances, it is also a time for cultural activities. Balinese people may engage in traditional dances, music performances, and other artistic expressions to celebrate Tilem.
Overall, Tilem is a significant phase of the lunar cycle in Bali, associated with darkness, fear, and the power of Siwa. It is a time for religious ceremonies, meditation, and cultural celebrations.
8. Tumpek Landep (‘metal day’)
Tumpek Landep, or ‘metal day’ sees offerings made to all things metal, including kris swords and motor vehicles.
Tumpek Landep is a significant day in the Balinese calendar that falls on the Saturday of Landep, the second week of the Pawukon cycle. It is a day of offerings to weapons of war, particularly the sacred kris short swords, but also guns or other weapons. If a family owns such a weapon, on Tumpek Landep, it is reverently unsheathed in the family temple, sprinkled with holy water, and presented with offerings of woven coconut leaves, flowers, and fruits. Incense and sandalwood are burned, and family members, a lay priest, or a balian — a kind of shaman — offer prayers. The balian will know the proper mantras for the weapon.
Although originally specified for weapons of war, the chief recipients of attention on Tumpek Landep today are motorcycles, trucks, and automobiles which, though certainly lethal weapons, seem hardly to be what the founders of Balinese Hinduism had imagined. No matter to the Balinese however, and plaited coconut leaves are hung from the bars and mirrors of motorcycles, and holy water and grains of rice are sprinkled on the machine. Ceremonial cloths are wrapped around the seat. The hoods of cars, trucks, and buses are always dressed with cloth, batik or brocade, to approximate the kambens worn by people at ceremonial occasions. A woven ceremonial mat called a lamak is hung from the radiator grill. And special little offering baskets are placed on the dashboard. A priest or lay priest may be called upon to minister prayers.
It is for this reason that the locals will tell you that Tumpek Landep is known as ‘metal day’.
Overall, Tumpek Landep is a significant day in Bali that is dedicated to the blessings of weapons and vehicles. It is a time for offerings, prayers, and protection against harm. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion, and it is an important part of the Balinese culture and religious practices.
What’s the significance of Bali ceremonies?
In Bali, ceremonies are the beautiful and intricate expression of religious devotion.
The significance of all the Bali ceremonies is considerable and complex. Each ceremony not only pays homage to the gods and maintains a balance between the forces of good and evil, but it also governs everyday life. You can’t get married, start a business or a new job, progress safely through the stages of your youth or adult life or even be cremated without having an intricate understanding of the Balinese calendar and its ceremonial schedule.
With two calendars to guide their religion and over 100 ceremonial days in a 210 day cycle, you can understand why the Balinese religion is considered one of the most complex in the world.
As a visitor to Bali, if you take even just a passing interest in why the ceremony you see in your hotel, on the street, or in the villa where you are staying is happening, your curiosity will be richly rewarded. A hotel staff member will happily share with you what ceremony they are performing in the hotel’s temple; just ask, and in a few sentences of conversation, you will see the rich complexity of the Balinese religion open up to you just a little.
Fascinated? You might also like to read about: What’s in a name: Is Balinese ‘religion’ agama Hindu? and Exploring the Indian Hindu origins of the Balinese Religion
Frequently asked questions about the significant ceremonial days in Balinese religion
What is Galungan, and why is it significant in Balinese Hinduism?
Galungan is a major Balinese Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). It is celebrated every 210 days and is marked by offerings, prayers, and cultural performances. Galungan is significant as it reinforces the Balinese belief in maintaining balance and harmony between humans, nature, and the divine.
What is Nyepi, and how is it celebrated in Bali?
Nyepi, also known as the Day of Silence, is a Balinese Hindu holiday that marks the start of the new year in the Saka calendar. It is celebrated by observing a day of silence, fasting, and self-reflection. The streets are empty, and all activities are suspended, including electricity and transportation. Nyepi is significant as it symbolizes the Balinese belief in the importance of introspection and self-purification.
What is Kuningan, and how is it celebrated in Bali?
Kuningan is a Balinese Hindu festival that marks the end of the Galungan holiday. It is celebrated ten days after Galungan and is marked by offerings, prayers, and cultural performances. Kuningan is significant as it represents the return of the ancestral spirits to the heavens and the renewal of the cosmic balance.
What is Saraswati Day, and why is it significant in Balinese Hinduism?
Saraswati day is a Balinese Hindu festival that celebrates the goddess of knowledge, music, and art. It is celebrated every 210 days and is marked by offerings, prayers, and cultural performances. Saraswati is significant as it reinforces the Balinese belief in the importance of education, creativity, and cultural heritage.
What is Pagerwesi, and how is it celebrated in Bali?
Pagerwesi is a Balinese Hindu festival that celebrates the spiritual fortification of the individual and the community. It is celebrated every 210 days and is marked by offerings, prayers, and cultural performances. Pagerwesi is significant as it reinforces the Balinese belief in the importance of spiritual protection and fortification.
What is Tumpek Landep, and why is it significant in Balinese Hinduism?
Tumpek Landep is a Balinese Hindu ceremony dedicated to Sang Hyang Pasupati, the god of metal and weapons. It is celebrated to honor and bless metal objects, such as tools, vehicles, and weapons. Tumpek Landep is significant as it highlights the Balinese belief in the sacredness of objects and the importance of their proper use and maintenance.
What is Pagerwesi, and how is it celebrated in Bali?
Pagerwesi is a Balinese Hindu festival that commemorates the spiritual fortification of individuals and communities. It is celebrated every 210 days and is marked by prayers, offerings, and rituals. Pagerwesi is significant as it emphasizes the need for spiritual protection and the strengthening of one's inner self against negative influences.
What is Tumpek Uduh, and why is it significant in Balinese Hinduism?
Tumpek Uduh is a Balinese Hindu ceremony dedicated to Sang Hyang Sangkara, the god of plants and vegetation. It is celebrated to honor and bless plants, trees, and agricultural crops. Tumpek Uduh is significant as it highlights the Balinese reverence for nature and the importance of sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
What is Tumpek Wayang, and how is it celebrated in Bali?
Tumpek Wayang is a Balinese Hindu ceremony dedicated to the art of traditional puppetry, known as wayang. It is celebrated to honor and bless the puppeteers, the puppets, and the spiritual essence behind the performances. Tumpek Wayang is significant as it showcases the Balinese appreciation for the arts, cultural heritage, and the spiritual dimensions of artistic expression.
What is Tumpek Kandang, and why is it significant in Balinese Hinduism?
Tumpek Kandang is a Balinese Hindu ceremony dedicated to Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the god of animals and livestock. It is celebrated to honor and bless domesticated animals, such as cows, pigs, and chickens. Tumpek Kandang is significant as it reflects the Balinese belief in the interconnectedness of humans and animals, and the importance of treating animals with care and respect.
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