Religious festivals.

Odalan: Signifies the anniversary of a temple's founding.  Some festivals last a couple of days, while others can last for up to a week. The festivities require the temple to be beautifully decorated with flowers, palm leaves, flags and bamboo towers, and noisy parades, food offerings and prayers add religious ferver to the festive atmosphere. There will generally be dancing, food stalls and other events such as cock-fighting to complete the occasion.

 

Above: Fighting cocks are prized possessions, treated with great affection. These two are sparing outside a temple. 

Melasti: A purification festival held the day before Nyepi when brightly dressed villagers make their way to the sea or holy springs carrying umbrellas, offerings of flowers and fruit, and sacred statues. Water is used to wash the statues, and holy men sacrifice pigs, to be used as offerings to their gods. It is symbolic that all of these activities are carried out amid the din of gamelan and drums, and a great deal of shouting, as on the following day, Nyepi, all must be silent.

Nyepi: Signifying the beginning of a new lunar year, this festival usually falls during the spring equinox (late March, early April). On this day, all people (including tourists) must remain silent, and no-one may work, travel or partake in any indulgences. It is advised that visitors observe this local custom, and remain within their lodgings for the day.
Although it may seem to be a wasted day, the festivities of the previous night will have saised enough spirits to make up for the day of stillness. The Balinese believe that having been aroused, and then encountering complete stillness, the evil spirits will leave the island, under the impression that it is uninhabited.

Galungan: Celebrating the creation of the world, Galungan is observed in the 11th week of the 210 day Balinese calendar (check with your travel agent or Indonesian Tourist Authority for dates).
This is the time for visiting family, friends and neighbours, and is always accompanied by feasts and finery.

Galungan is the island's most significant annual event.

Kuningan: Held 10 days after Galungan, this festival commemorates the finish of the holiday period. On this occasion, the souls of ancestors are honoured.

Most celebrations are held at the water temple of Tampaksiring, with other events at Bangli and Ubud.

Eka Dasa Rudra: Bali's most important festival, that is celebrated as the restoration of the balance of good and evil. This festival preceded the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, which killed over 1,500 people. Since then, it has been necessary to hold the festival more frequently than the requirement of every 100 years. The next festival however is yet to be announced.

Non-religious festivals and holidays.

Negara bull races: Held between July and October, the races are conducted between highly decorated and pampered beasts, hitched in pairs to makeshift chariots ridden by jockeys who use a combination of riding skills and tail-twisting to induce maximum performance from their powerful bulls.

The rice harvest: Dedicated to the rice god, Dewi Sri, the times of rice harvesting are boon times in the villages. This is when the villages are decorated with flags, and fresh paint, and an atmosphere of happiness pervades. Small straw rice god dolls are placed around fields and villages as a tribute.

Indonesian Independence Day: August 17th is celebrated as the day when the Republic of Indonesia achieved independence from the Dutch.

Bali Provincial Tourist Service

This office provides the latest information on tourist attractions, interesting destinations, bemo timetables, and ferry services. All staff members speak English.

Address:

Jl. S. Parman,
Renon
Denpasar

Telephone: 0361 222 387

 

Regional Office of Tourism, Arts & Culture

This office contains tourist information for people wanting to explore Bali. Staff members speak English.

Address:

Jl. Raya Puputan,
Renon
Denpasar

Telephone: 0361 225 649 or 233 474

 

Bali Government Tourist Information Service

Telephone: 0361 753 540