PT. Rakuen Bali Tour And Travel

Jalan Ganda  Pura V  No 4 Denpasar Bali I Indonesia

TEL : 62-361-464276 / 361-62-464118

FAX: 62-361-464118

WEB: www.balirakuen.com

E-MAIL: infobali@balirakuen.com

Besakih Temple

Besakih Temple is the biggest Hindu temple in Bali which the local people call Pura Besakih. It owns beautiful view from the top of temple area where we can see the wide nature panorama until to the ocean so that way this temple is many visited by tourists from all over the world. Besakih Temple is located in Besakih countryside, Rendang sub district, Karangasem regency, east part of the island. It is located in southwest side bevel of mount Agung, the biggest mounts in Bali. It is because pursuant to Agung Mount confidence is holiest and highest mount in Bali Island.

Tirta Empul - Tampak Siring Temple

Tirta Empul Temple or Tampak Siring Temple is a holy spring water temple located in Tampak Siring Village, Gianyar regency and it is about 39 km eastwards from Denpasar town. It is set in the dale and encircled by the hill. In the west side of this temple, there is an Indonesian President palace which has been found by the first president. The name of Tirta Empul is loaded in a inscription which is kept at Sakenan Temple, Manukaya village, Sub district of Tampak Siring, about 3 km from Tirta Empul Temple. In this inscription, The Tirta Empul is named by the Tirta Ri Air Hampul and then the name has changed into Tirta Hampul and finally become the Tirta Empul. Tirta Ri air hampul is meaning the water emerge or the holy pool (Petirthan) which is the water emerge from the land.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Ulun Danu Temple is a Balinese Hindu Temple located at Candi Kuning countryside, Baturiti sub district and Tabanan regency. The distance from Denpasar town is about 50 km north side the way from Denpasar to Singaraja. It is set at lakeside of Beratan with beautiful lake view and hills surround it. It is situated in the plateau area with cool atmosphere surround it and hills as a backdrop. We can find at north side of this temple is Pucak Sangkur mount, in the east side there is Beratan Mount which also referred as Pucak Mangu or Pucak Pangelengan, in the south side there is Terate Bang Mount and in the West side there is Tapak Mount and Watukaru Mount.

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is a Hindu temple set on the cliff bank in south part of Bali Peninsula. It is one of Sad Kahyangan Temple in Bali (six big groups of Bali Temples), located in Pecatu Village, Sub district of South Kuta, and Badung Regency or about 25 Km southerly part of Denpasar town. It is situated on the coral reef sordid to sea about 80 meters above the sea level. It is featured by a small dry forest which is mostly called by Alas Kekeran (interdict forest) which is belong to the temple and dwelt by a lot of monkeys and other animal. Name of Uluwatu was come from the word Ulu meaning the head and Watu meaning stone. Therefore Uluwatu Temple mean the temple built in tip of coral reef.

Goa Lawah

Goa Lawah Temple is located in a cave filled with thousands of bats and is believed to lead all the way to Besakih. Goa Lawah is one of six temples open to the public and is refered as a sacred site for Brahma.

Goa Gajah

Welcome to Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) which is located in west side of Bedulu countryside, Blah Batuh Sub district and Gianyar Regency. It is about 27 km from Denpasar town. This cave is built at crevasse edge from the federation of 2 rills that is called Pangkung River , where the irrigation is mixed with Petanu River flow. The federation area of two rivers is called Campuhan/Mixture. It owns the magical energy on the basis of Rwabineda Concept/two different matters on this basic concept hence Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is intentionally built among two rivers.

Taman Ayun Temple

Taman Ayun Temple is a Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire and it is located in Mengwi Village, Mengwi sub district, Badung regency and about 18 Km north side of Denpasar town. It is strategically located beside of major roadway between Denpasar to Singaraja. It is set on the land which is surrounded by the big fish pond and look like a drift on the water. It owns the beautiful temple building with multistoried roof and Balinese Architecture. The wide beautiful landscape garden in front courtyard to welcome all visitors who come and visit this temple. It is a beautiful place to visit on your vacation in Bali.

Denpasar City (The Capital City of Bali)

Denpasar city tour is a unique tour to visit Denpasar town with all its local society activities. Some other places on interest are also visited on this tour like Kumbasari traditional Market, Jagatnatha Temple and Bali museum. City tour is one of the short tours in Bali which take around 4-5 hours. The tour will bring you to unique places like traditional market where you can see the local society perform their activities in the market.

Badung Traditional Market

This market is located in the main road, Gajah Mada street, is the centre of town’s economics. This area has become a shopping centre of Bali. This market can not be discharge from the existing market across Badung river, called Kumbasari Market because the local society will that their shopping experience would be incomplete without visiting Kumbasari Market, especially for Balinesse who want to buy their traditional items. Kumbasari market sells costume and clothing items at prices relatively cheaper compare to the one sold at the shops at Jalan Gajah Mada. This market previously called peken Payuk (pot market). So many pot such as Gerabah, cobek (clay plate), paso (clay bucket), caratan (clay water jug) jading (clay barrel), penyantokan (clay mixer), coblong (clay cup), kekeb (rice cover) and many more. All of those items are used as kitchen ware and for religious activities.
The location of Badung market is encircled by shops along the street of Gajah Mada. On the right side, Sulawesi street, is very famous for its textiles (fabric) and Badung market is progressively strengthening the identity of Denpasar’s economic centre which is open 24 hours and always full of visitor (buyer). At the traditional market, you will find transactions taking place between buyers and merchants with multifarious merchandise to satisfy life’s daily needs such as kitchen supplies, appliances required for Hindu ritual, fruits and traditional clothes. In this market, you will see the local people especially women who carry extremely heavy items in the big basket balanced on their head.

Kintamani

Kintamani is the most favorite tourist destinations in Bali with the active volcano of mount Batur and beautiful lake. Kintamani is surrounded by the captivating nature and there are six ancient villages around cauldron of Batur Lake which is often conceived by Bali Age Village. The local people from these Bali Age villages own the unique cultures, houses and life style. Kintamani Area is consisted of some Villages those are Kedisan Village , Buahan, Abang, Trunyan, Songan, South Batur, Middle Batur, North Batur, Sukawana and Kintamani Village . The total of resident in these area are about 15 thousand who are mostly working as farmer, merchant, or work at industrial tourism.

Kecak Dance

Painting, woodcarving and dancing reflect the soul of the Balinese. Traditional dances are performed especially on Hindus holiday and also to welcome visitors. The one you see below is “Kecak Dance” which was performed on Galungan, the biggest Hindus holiday, at Pura (temple) Luhur Ulu Watu, up on a cliff at the most southern part of the island.
The Kecak Dance tells the Indian story of Ramayana.  Rama, a warrior and rightful hier to the throne of Ayodya, is exiled with his wife Sita to a faraway desert.  There, an evil king spies Sita, falls in love with her, and sends a golden deer to lure Rama away.  Sita is captured, and Rama rounds up his armies to defeat those of the evil king and rescue her.  Rama is the man in green dancing in the center of the circle, the golden deer is in yellow in the back.
What makes the Kecak such a fascinating dance to watch are the fifty or so men in the checkered pants.  They are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors.  They don’t sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.
The dance is played in five acts and lasts roughly 45 minutes.  Weekly (in some places daily) performances of the Kecak abound around the island, but the most well-known Kecak theater is in the town of Batubulan just north of the Balinese capital of Denpasar.  The dance company provides transportation for a nominal fee to and from the resort.
Attending a Kecak recital is a must for any visitor to Bali.  It is a wondrous experience, and a window into the musical and artistic culture that make the Balinese a special people.

Celuk and Mas

Celuk village is the famous village in Bali as a tourist destination cause of the local residents is very proactive and full of innovation to the gold and silver crafting. This countryside is located in sub district of Sukawati, Gianyar Regency and owns the individuality and excellence in production of gold and silver crafting. Most of them are Balinese professional, artistic and skillful of design development related to the silver and gold crafting.
Mas Village is one of villages in Bali fundamentally identified as an artistic countryside by focusing in artistic of wood carving. Mas Village is located in Ubud sub district and Gianyar Regency, east part of Bali. It owns the typical style of wood carving art by placing forward the distinguish synergy the humanism and naturalism. The village’s popularity as an art village is famous in the national and world level which is not forgetting from the highness name of some maestros which has borne and found the spirit (taksu) and soul. The famous maestro who was borne in this village is Ida Bagus Tilem.

Ubud Village

Ubud Village is a traditional village supervising 13 Banjar (group of community) and 6 custom countryside. It is located in Ubud sub district, Gianyar Regency and about 20 km from Denpasar Town. Ubud Vilage can be reached within 30 minutes or 15 minutes from Gianyar Town and this place is situated in the high land about 300 meter above sea level. Ubud is surrounded by the good temperature compare with other regions in Bali where the temperatures are relative cool that is ideally for everyone to stay in this beautiful place. This village is occupied 9.800 peoples which most of them are Hindu. They able to keep the environment naturally so that way this place usually used by many tourist/people/actors to get the art inspiration.

Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest is a small rain forest dwelt by some group of monkeys and other tropical animals. It is strategically located in the hearth of Ubud Village, precisely located in the region of Padang Tegal Village, Ubud Sub district and Gianyar Regency. Monkey Forests in Balinese language called Wanara Wana are spread out in the island and Ubud Monkey Forest itself own very important function of the continuity the monkey habitat in Bali. Meanwhile the local community own important role to keep this forest naturally in order to all wild animals able to live smoothly.

Gunung Kawi

Gunung Kawi is a Hindu Temple complex with old omission from the stone era located in Gianyar regency. Based on the inscription of Tengkulak A on 945 saka (Balinese calendar) which is released by Marakata King, the ancient omission complex is located at the Pekerisan River then it is called Katyangan Amarawati. Pekerisan River is also named by Jalu which is according to the inscription chiseled on the above of the biggest temple door sound ‘Haji Lumahing Jalu’. The name of Gunung Kawi is the name given on the omission which is related to the complex of temples because the temple on this area is like the symbol from the mount. There are 3 temples which so called the name as Gunung Kawi in Bali those are Gunung Kawi in Sebatu countryside, Gunung Kawi Temple in Keliki countryside and Gunung Kawi Temple in Babitra countryside. The ancient omission complex of Gunung Kawi is founded on 10 century. It is founded in the era of Udayana about 989 M. At the period of Marakata governance on 1023, the omission which is called Katyagan Amarawati is developed and continued by the governance of Anak Wungsu which is guess lead between the years of 1049 - 1077 M.

Batubulan Village

Batubulan is an artistic countryside in west part of Gianyar regency. The identity and image as an art village, Batubulan has been famous in Indonesia and all over the world which has been built based on an artistic blessing dance of Barong (Barong and Keris dance). Barong Dance is daily performed at five different stages in this countryside, like Puseh Temple Stage, Tegal Tamu Stage, Denjalan Stage, Sahadewa Stage and Sila Budaya Stage. The fascination of this Tourism Cultural Object is from variety of quality artistic potency. Batubulan Village is covering the dance art, artistic of Kerawitan, artistic of idol and article art.

Beratan Lake at Bedugul

Beratan Lake is a shallow lake with the high caldera about 1231m above sea level and it is located at Bedugul, the famous tourist destinations in Bali. This lake have wide 3,8 km2 and also its deepness is up to 22 meters. The water volume in this lake is about 0,049 km3, so Beratan Lake is the closed lake. Tourist can access the Beratan Lake through the dock which have been provided or desist around Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. In this place, the visitor can do various activities like doing recreation to look around in dock or do the other outdoor activities. The various water recreation activities can also be conducted here, for example riding the boat motorize to circle the lake, parasailing, canoeing with the traditional boat, banana boating, water skiing, and others. Fishing activities are also available in this places for who one love fishing in the lake.

Kecak and Fire Dance

The Kecak and Fire Dance is one of the most famous of all Balinese dances created in the 20th century. It shows the unique contemporary quality of the classic story of the Ramayana. In the dance the moving and swaying of bodies is interwoven with the sound of nature in an orchestration of voices which puts the dancer into a trance. Ultimately it tells the story of the triumph of good over evil.

Legong Dance

The Legong dance is an old classical most exquisite Balinese dance which is danced by girl dressed in gold brocades and flowered head dresses. This dance is uniquely Balinese in style requiring preuse body placement with swift and dramatic changes in directions and specific use of the eyes and hands accompanied by strong musical accents, to understand something of Balinese dancing one must see the Legong.

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple is located in coastal side of Beraban countryside, Kediri sub district and Tabanan Regency. It is situated in 30 Km in west side of Denpasar town and about 11 Km in south side of Tabanan town. The temple is built on the rock with 3 acre size and reachable in a few minute by walk, because it is just 20 meters from the coastal lip. This temple is very famous among tourist destinations in Bali with spectacular view of sunset. At some nooks of coral reef around Tanah Lot Temple there are holy tame snake in black and white color where according to the local society believe that it as a deity property and as the guard of the temple from the bad influence.

Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Jatiluwih is a favorite tourist destination in Bali famous with the beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side. It is one of places to visit in Bali with the beautiful view as according to its name from Jati and luwih, where Jati mean really and Luwih meaning especial, good, and beautiful or the equivalent. The local paddies are planted in this place look typically of the high relative size plant if it is compared with other pre-eminent paddy planted by most farmers in Bali . Despitefully, Jatiluwih also famous with its organic agriculture system due to the location is located in the in the plateau of Watukaru Mount which is suitable for the agriculture development.

Bali Art Center

Taman Budaya or Bali Art Center is the culture building complex with the best style of Balinese traditional architecture. It is featuring the good lay-out building of amphitheater to be a place/hall of show performance purpose. It is symbolizing the twiddling of Mandara Giri mount in the milk ocean and spattering the Amerta holy water for the life of endless as according to nature of dynamic culture and stayed alive during the human being still dwell the earth planet. This amphitheater can accommodate up to 6.000 audiences for the show of colossal both for modern and also traditional. This Taman Budaya (Cultural Park) is opened in the year 1973 with the Bali Artistry Party (Pesta Kesenian Bali) within one month. On that month, there are full of entertainment amusement traditional dance, exhibition, and other cultural activities. At the opening ceremony enlivened by artistic parade started from Puputan Park and finish at the Art Center. Its distance is about 2 Km and this parade is followed by entire regencies and towns in Bali by delivering their artistry mission. This event is often followed by other provinces in Indonesia as well as from outside country like Japan, Korea, Europe, America etc. In this culture parade is presented in so many forms those are from the sacral until contemporary traditional. There are also type of marry and custom clothes from each area, instrument of music or gamelan, forms Sesajen (offering) and others.

Bali Information

WHERE IS BALI?

The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.

GEOGRAPHY:

The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West. Because of this it’s no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.

Located only two kilometers east of Jawa, Bali’s climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbor. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.

FLORA:

The wide variety of tropical plants is surprising. You’ll see huge banyan trees in villages and temple grounds, tamarind trees in the North, clove trees in the highlands, acacia trees, flame trees, and mangroves in the South. In Bali grow a dozen species of coconut palms and even more varieties of bamboo.

And there are flowers, flowers everywhere. You’ll see (and smell the fragrance of) hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine, and water lilies. Magnolia, frangipani, and a variety of orchids are found in many front yards and gardens, along roads, and in temple grounds. Flowers are also used as decorations in temples, on statues, as offerings for the gods, and during prayers. Dancers wear blossoms in their crowns, and even the flower behind the ear of your waitress seems natural in Bali.

FAUNA:

Elephants and tigers don’t exist any more in Bali since early this century. Wildlife, however, includes various species of monkeys, civets, barking deer and mouse deer, and 300 species of birds including wild fowl, dollar birds, blue kingfishers, sea eagles, sandpipers, white herons and egrets, cuckoos, wood swallows, sparrows, and starlings. You can watch schools of dolphins near Lovina, Candi Dasa, and Padangbai. Divers will see many colorful coral fish and small reef fish, moray eels, and plankton eating whale sharks as well as crustaceans, sponges, and colorful coral along the east coast and around Menjangan Island near Gilimanuk.

HISTORY :

The Balinese had already owned their belief and culture when Hinduism was brought into Indonesia about 2000 years ago. Around 400 A.D. the hindu kingdoms in central and East Java had their great influence over bali ,but when a new religion, islam came in, the hindu kingdoms in Java became less and less powerful. At that time a large number of priests, noblemen, artists and their followers refused the new religion and escaped to Bali. They blended their belief and traditions with those of the local people, a blend of which is inherited by the present Balinese people, the rich culture which is instead of the scenic beauty of the island, has attracted more and more visitors from time to time.

The stronghold of their religion and traditions may be the main factor that enables them to preserve their culture from the outside influences.

THE PEOPLE AND EVERDAY LIFE :

The population of about 2,500,000 people mainly live on agriculture with rice as the staple food. The other crops, among others, are : coconut ,maize ,soybean ,cassava, coffee, clove, vanilla, etc.

Bali is also known for its wide variety of tropical fruit, such as : mango, banana jack fruit, watermelon, salak, the thornyskinned, durian the tasty but smelly one, grape an many others.

Everyday life in bali merges with social duties and religious obligations while the art reflects an unnoticed integration of environment, religion and community in which individual is a part. The organization of the villages, land cultivations up to the creations of art are of communal efforts. A village in bali is the central place for its people while a family is the basic unit of the Balinese society which is grouped into `Banjar`, the group unit of several families.

RELIGION & CUSTOMS :

Hindu religion or Hindu Dharma is held by almost 95 % of the population. Its teaching is to reach peace and harmony of live guided by the Wedas as Holy Scripturies. Hindu Dharma is a special blend of Hinduism, Budhism and ancestor worship that has been flourishing over centuries. The believe in on supreme god called : Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, with is three manifestations known as : Trisakti, that is : Brahma, the creator, Wisnu the preserver, and Shiwa the transformer.

Religion is inseparable from the everyday life, from the simple daily rituals to the lavishly semi annually temple festivals. No opportunity is lost to worship god in an unending series of ceremonies that stretches from birth up to after death of the people.

There are three things guiding the spiritual life of the Hindu Balinese people which are :
Tatwa ( philosophy )
Susila ( etiquette / moral codes )
Upacara ( rituals )

Tatwa tells about the Panca Crada, the five principle beliefs or cradas which are belief in the existence of :
Brahman   :  the god head
Atman      : the soul
Samsara   :  reincarnation
Karma      :  the law of couse and effect
Moksa      :  unity with god / nirwana.

Susila, moral codes, put emphasis on three things e.g :
Positive thinking
Positive talking
Positive action

Known locally as “ Trikaya Parisuda “ . related to those moral codes also can be mentioned “ Tat Twam Asi” , freely translated into “I am you” or “you are me” which controls and prevents somebody from commiting ( international ) wrong doings.
Upacara, are those religious ceremonies classified into five clarification e.g :
Dewa yadnya : ceremonies related to the worship of god
Rsi yadnya : related to the prophet, priest or priest hood
Pitra yadnya : related to the dead
Manusa yadnya : ceremonies for human beings
Buta yadnya : sacrifices to placate the negative ( Butas )

As the out come of the Tattwa among others you can see a lot of temples dedicated to Brahman, god the almighty, and temples dedicated to the ancestors, the souls of the dead relatives. The belief in Samsara creates the opinion that having children is important to give possibility for the soul to reincarnate. Family planning is successful in Bali because there is also a set of rules spiritually controlling the birth of too many children. That is in the “ DUTIES OF PARENTS” which includes the necessity to look after children well which parents cannot do if they have too many.Karma law prevents people from doing bad deeds because such things will result in negative effect to the doer. While belief in Moksha suggests positive attitude that eventually everybody or every soul, after series of reincarnations will be able to join the origin, the god head.

Susila prescribes good behaviors and attitudes which are vital in social life, unless one is able to control him self an manage to place him self in the right position he will certainly suffer in his life specially in Balinese society where “mental torture” is one of the most feared, a kind of social punishment, like being declared socially dead an ignored. Upacara manifests it self in innumerable ceremonies, such us the semi annual or annual temple festivals, ordination ceremonies,cremation, tooth filing and wedding ceremonies and sacrifices. An example of such sacrifices is done yearly the day before “Nyepi”, New year.
Another philosophy of the Balinese the “tri hita karana” or the three prosperity / happiness supporting clement in the form of harmonious relationship between :

Man – God relationship can clearly be seen in the religious attitude of the Balinese hindu people. The religion is not only absorbed through the philosophy but also by actions in the way they make all sort of offerings. It is also obvious in their devotion.

Man – Man relationship is regulated by the awig – awig or adat, traditional lows, both in written or non written forms.

Man – Environment relation, in common practices, can be seen among in the traditional calendar. There are “good days” and “bad days”. The “tumpek days” are the days of worship and respect.
For instance : “Tumpek uduh” is the day when the Balinese people make offerings for trees.“Tumpek kandang” for animals, and “tumpek landep” to respect pointed things like lances, daggers, krises, also for metal articles as gamelan orchestra

instruments and recently this metal thing also cover motor bikes, car etc. so, if you see cars are ceremonially decorated on a Saturday, that is sure to be a “tumpek landep” day.

Tumpek wayang is for performing asts peshap it carbe said that tumpek suggesb fles man depends on his thers contess in the sense of this sources of food, fools ad ento fainness so he musk rosspect and treas floes well.

The environmental to boo days or rather weeks are known as the “Ingkels” which come in turns every year. There are :

Ingkel wong to boo for disrespect to human
Ingkel sato to animals
Ingkel mina to fishes
Ingkel manuk to birds
Ingkel taru to trees
Ingkel buku to canes : bamboo,sugar canes

In short, the tatwa,susila, upacara, tat wam asi, tri hita karana are some of the philosophies directing the Balinese in their day to day life. The teachings are given through traditional ways. It is very likely that Balinese do not know the philosophies by ‘names’ but they observe them all the same.

Those philosophies when properly observed will create an individual who is religious, friendly and has respect toward his followman and his environment. His objective of live is to achieve a balance between material and spiritual life. The ultimate goal is religious purity : moksha. The Balinese are after this goal.

When meeting Balinese, the formal greeting is done by clasping the palms of your hands, place them in front of your chest, the finger tips under the chain, and say : Om Swasti Astu ( praying for safety and health ). When you leave say : Om Cantih,Cantih,cantih (peace, peace, peace ).

CLIMATE :

Bali has such a mild and agreeable climate the whole year round. The sunny days within dry season between May and September are warm and pleasant, while in rainy season between October and April, tropical showerwill alternate with clear sky and sunshine. The average temperature of the day in coastal areas varies from about 28oC ( 820F ) during May, June, July, to about 300C ( 860F ) in March and October.

It is approximately one and half hours drive to the highland where temperature varies from 160C to 260C and it is known to drop to about 80C during the night.

The humidity is high ( from a minimum of 70 % to a maximum of 95 % ). The weather is most pleasant between May to September.

LANGUAGE :

English is widely understood, particularly in major tourist destinations, where is almost the second commercial language. Other languages like : French, Japanese, Italian, etc. are also spoken in some hotel, shops and restaurants on top of English.

Spoken and written Bahasa Indonesia is largely comprehensible to the casual visitors but it can casily be learnt just in a couple of months.

The local generally speak Indonesia and three other local dialects known an Balinese.

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Festival as an important feature of the Balinese life occurs on fixed dates according to the Balinese Calendar. Instead of temple festival take place mostly in every 210 days or every six months.

There are annual cycle and every six months celebrations of holidays, life cycle ceremonies of a Balinese person since the time inside the mothers womb followed in stages up until marriage and the most important of the Balinese ritual is that includes funeral rites and cremation.

To maintain and preserve every aspect of the Balinese cultural life, Annual Festivals have been held by the provincial government. Such us : the annual art festival usually takes place in every Saturday middle of june to Saturday middle of july with exhibitions and performances of various kinds of artworks and cultural achievements, kite festival.

Some of the holidays are as follows :

GALUNGAN : This is the most imfortant holiday symbolizing the victory of virtue ( Dharma ) upon evil ( Adharma ). The holiday is specialized by the fitting of “penjor”, a tall bamboo pole spendidly decorated with woven young coconut leaves, fruit, cakes and flowers, on the right side of every house entrance. People are attired in their finest clothes and jewels this day.

KUNINGAN : this holiday takes place ten days after Galungan, bringing the holiday period to a closing time. On this day, special ritual ceremony held for the ancestral spirits.

NYEPI : this holiday is the Balinese new year called icaka new year, the day of total silence throughout the island. No activity is done, no traffic at all on the roads, no fire may be lit and no amusement held for the day long. Great purification and sacrificial rites were held the day before so as to exocize evil spirits from every corner of the compound.

SARASWATI : this day is devoted to God Manifestation as Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful goddess of knowledge, art and literature. On this day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the wedas are blessed and special offrings are made for them.

PAGERWESI : the name literally means “iron fence”, on which day ceremonies and prayers are held for strong mental and spiritual defence in welcoming the galungan holiday.