Go to Bali

2007-10-15T03:28:00.000-07:00

Location: Kerobokan, Bali, Indonesia, Asia (30 min from airport, 10 min from cool nightlife of Seminyak)

Accommodations: Villa - 6 Bedrooms - 6 Baths - (Sleeps 12)

Villa Banteng comprises of two villas set amongst the lush, green paddy fields of Banjar Anyar, Kerobokan.

Each villa sleeps six, with three bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, living and dining rooms, kitchen, infinity pool, and landscaped tropical gardens. All bedrooms offer wonderful views of the green, tranquil surroundings and spectacular sunsets.

Both villas boast unique, specially-designed features, including a stunning and exclusive stilted timber pavilion, each built and shipped from the neighbouring island of Sulawesi.

Despite it's private location, Villa Banteng is just 10 minutes drive from the famed restaurants and nightlife of Legian and Seminyak, 20 minutes from the island’s pre-eminent golf course Nirwana Bali, and 30 minutes from the airport.

Villa Banteng comes fully serviced with maid service, security, and satellite TV. Rental prices include airport pick-up, complimentary breakfast, and laundry services for all guests. A personal chef is available onsite to cook meals from the menu at the cost of the ingredients.

Experience the ultimate Bali experience at Villa Banteng.

Vacation Rental FeaturesAmenities

* Air Conditioning
* Linens Provided
* Covered Parking

Entertainment

* Cable/Satellite TV
* CD Player
* Stereo System
* Private Hot Tub
* Private Pool

Kitchen

* Full Kitchen
* Cooking Utensils Provided
* Refrigerator
* Microwave
* Catering Available

Communications

* Telephone

Other Amenities

* Laundry service, Massage services available onsite, Broadband services available upon request

Suitability

* Pet Friendly
* Handicapped Accessible
* Wheelchair Accessible
* Kid Friendly

Activities (on site and nearby)

* Golf
* Shopping
* Sightseeing
* Restaurants
* Swimming
* Snorkeling/Diving
* Surfing
* Windsurfing

Other Activities

* Bars, Massage services

Rates (in US Dollars ): Personal Currency Assistant™
Credit Cards Accepted: Rent Vacation Rentals with Visa Rent Vacation Rentals with MasterCard Rent Vacation Rentals with American Express

Peak season .. $300/night (Christmas, Chinese New Year, Easter, Summer).
Low season ... $250/night (Other months).
Per person rates are also available at $55 per night in peak season and $50 per
night in low season, for groups less than 6.
15% Tax is required.
Rates are per villa.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

2007-10-15T03:23:00.000-07:00

Location: Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia, Asia

Accommodations: Luxury Villa in Goa Gong - 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s) - 4 Baths - (Sleeps 8-10)

Our Luxury The Jewel Jimbaran Villa offers 180-degree views of Bali from the edge of Jimbaran Hill. Watch the sunrise in the east over Nusa Penida with views of Benoa Harbour and the majestic range of Bali’s volcanic mountain in the background.

In the evening, the sun sets behind Jimbaran bay and the silhouettes of fishing boats. As night falls, the island comes to life again in the twinkle of lights and you can see Planes arriving and taking off silently at the distant airport. There is always a pleasant breeze that greets the visitors of The villa.

The villa has a separate spa treatment room, a media room, a lap pool, garden, and sun decks, in short, everything you need to pamper your self and enjoy a fabulous holiday.

Vacation Rental FeaturesAmenities

* Air Conditioning
* Washer
* Dryer
* Linens Provided
* Garage

Beds

* King Bed
* Twin/Single Bed

Entertainment

* Cable/Satellite TV
* TV (No Cable/Satellite)
* DVD
* Video Library
* Video Game Console
* Video Games
* CD Player
* Stereo System
* Music Library
* Private Pool

Kitchen

* Full Kitchen
* Cooking Utensils Provided
* Refrigerator
* Dishwasher
* Microwave
* Ice Maker
* Catering Available

Outdoor Features

* Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
* Deck/Patio
* Balcony

View/Location

* Beach View

Communications

* Telephone
* Cell Phone
* Computer
* Broadband Internet

Suitability

* Pet Friendly
* Wheelchair Accessible
* Kid Friendly
* Smoking Allowed
*

Activities (on site and nearby)

* Golf
* Theme Park (Amusement Park)
* Shopping
* Sightseeing
* Restaurants
* Rafting
* Kayaking
* Sailing
* Boating
* Waterskiing
* Parasailing
* Jet Skiing
* Swimming
* Snorkeling/Diving
* Surfing
* Windsurfing
* Biking
* Mountain Biking

Rates (in US Dollars ): Personal Currency Assistant™
Credit Cards Accepted: Rent Vacation Rentals with Visa Rent Vacation Rentals with MasterCard Rent Vacation Rentals with American Express Rent Vacation Rentals with Diners Club Rent Vacation Rentals with JCB

Low Season .... $550++/night.
High Season .. $650++/night.
Peak Season ... $750++/night.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

2007-10-15T03:18:00.001-07:00

Location: Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia, Asia (7 minutes to airport)

Accommodations: Duplex - 2 Bedrooms - 2.5 Baths - (Sleeps 4-6)

50 yards/meters to the sand of Jimbaran Bay Beach. The same stretch of beach as Four Seasons Resort and Bali Inter-continental Resort. Just 150 yards/meters to famous Jimbaran Seafood Cafe's where you can relax, enjoy fresh grilled seafood and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

This rental unit was constructed using limestone, hardwoods and actual beach sand as a finish to compliment the coastal environment. Both bedroom showers are outdoor, so you can enjoy the stars and weather as you shower in total privacy. Both bedrooms are fully air-conditioned for a night of cool comfort. Both bedrooms have balconies. The master bedroom balcony looks into a beautiful Balinese hindu temple with the blue Indian Ocean in the background.

Traditional fishing boats can be hired on the beach to ferry you to nearby surf breaks, or for a day of snorkeling or fishing.

The rental unit includes maid services for cleaning and laundry everyday except Sunday.

Amenities: Phone, Air Conditioning, TV, CD Player, Full Kitchen, Microwave, Refrigerator, Cooking utensils provided, Linens provided, No Smoking.

Pet Friendly

Activities (on site or nearby): Biking, Golf, Fishing, Shopping, Restaurants, Swimming, Snorkeling/Diving, Surfing, Rafting
Rates (in US Dollars ): Personal Currency Assistant™
Credit Cards Accepted: Rent Vacation Rentals with Visa Rent Vacation Rentals with MasterCard

Jan-Dec .. $75/night (5 nt min) .. $450/week (7 nt min) .. $1800/month (30 nt min)

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

2007-10-15T03:04:00.001-07:00

Restaurants in Bali

Apart from exploring Bali, a fascinating tourist destination in Indonesia, filled with lofty mountains, tropical greenery and azure beaches, there are several other things to do in Bali. On one hand, you can explore the local arts spanning across music, sculpture and handicraft, on the other hand, you can indulge in shopping or nightlife in Bali. However, if you browse through Bali Travel Guide, you will learn that a trip to Bali remains incomplete without enjoying its cuisine. So you can step into the Restaurants in Bali and pamper your taste-buds with various local delicacies. There are several other restaurants in this region, which serve international fares ingeniously prepared by the chefs.

There is a wide range of restaurants in this Indonesian island ranging from the budget to the luxurious ones. Thus, you can just hop into one of the ordinary eateries or warungs for a meal or indulge in a lavish affair in any of the famous upscale restaurants. If you are a wine-lover, then you can spice up your evening with beer or champagne too. Though most of the eateries function till 10 or 11 pm, there are some other restaurants in Bali which remain open till late night or round the clock.

You can try put various Indonesia delicacies such as Sate Lilit and Nasi Goreng, a fried rice served with shrimps or meat in the restaurants in Bali such as Bumbu Bali in Tanjung Benoa. You will get the famous duck item-Bebek Betutu in Murni's Warung in Ubud. You can also try out Babi Guling, which contains grilled meat of a baby pig. There are local eateries or food outlets in the shopping complexes or even big restaurants which serve specialties of Indonesia cuisines. There are some restaurants specialized in cuisine from Padang in Sumatra. Various preparations of meats and vegetables are available in these eateries.

There are some other restaurants in Bali such as Indus restaurant in Ubud, where you will get a wide variety of dishes from Western as well as Chinese cuisines. There also branded outlets such as Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken in this island. If you want to try out Chinese dishes like Smoked Duck and Dim Sum, you can visit restaurants in Bali such as Plaza Bali in Tuban or Telaga Naga in Sanur. There are also outlets such as Un's Paradise Restaurant in Kuta specialized in Swiss varieties and Italian dishes. For Indian delights, you can step into Gateway of India in Kuta. There are also outlets for German, Japanese, and Mexican specialties. Interestingly enough, all these dishes are prepared by well-trained chefs who add a local touch to the items, thus making dining a special experience.

2007-10-15T03:03:00.000-07:00

Shopping in Bali

Bali in Indonesia is one of the largest tourist destinations in the country. It is known for its dance, sculpture, painting and music. But, Shopping in Bali is also considered to be one of the major tourist draws. There are many tourists who come here to collect exclusive souvenirs from the shopping malls and markets of this city.

While you can spend your nights enjoying the superb Nightlife in Bali, during the day you can experience other Things to Do in Bali. Shopping in Bali brings to you a wide choice of markets and malls. There are many traditional markets and art shops around Bali. If you dislike shopping, just try your shopping skills at the Bali markets. The traditional way makes shopping in Bali a fun filled experience! Unlike the markets in other places, Bali offers friendly tradesman. You would just love to bargain with the approachable shopkeepers!

Whether you are interested in modern artwork or want to buy some casual summer clothing and shoes- the Bali markets would provide with all of them! There are two good department stores that serve the local community at Denpasar. The Galeria Nusa Dua specializes in Balinese goods. If you are an antique lover, just come to one of the traditional markets in Bali like the Kumbasari Market, Kuta Art Market, Sukawati or Jalan Danau Tamblingan.

Bali Travel Guide also tells you about the numerous malls that make Shopping in Bali very easy. You can get a wide choice of products under one roof. The Matahari Department Stores, Bali Mal Galeria Kuta, Galeria Nusa Dua and the Ramayana Bali Mal are some of the air conditioned malls of the city. Come and pick your favorite brand of dress or perfume from here!

Explore the treasure-house of interesting goods as you pay a visit to the various traditional markets or shopping malls and galleries in Bali!

2007-10-15T03:01:00.000-07:00

Things to do in Bali

Apart from an exotic sightseeing in Bali, the island offers a plenty of things to do. A colorful array of Things to do in Bali includes a scintillating nightlife, delightful shopping and a memorable dining out experience. Bali Travel Guide offers you an overview about the Things to do in Bali.

After a hectic day's work you can just unwind and rejuvenate amidst a dazzling nightlife in Bali. If you want to enjoy some live music with haute cuisine and classy drinks, the nightclubs are the best places to be in. Jazz Grille a karaoke is a favorite amongst both locals and tourists. Interplay of vibrant environs and exotic music make your night out a wonderful experience. You can move your feet as the DJ plays some of the most popular numbers.

You can simply spend those quiet hours with exotic cocktails and fine brands of wine at the bars. You can also grab your favorite local, Mexican and Japanese dishes here.

Among the other Things to Do in Bali, Shopping in Bali is a major draw. Hop around the vibrant markets and malls and see yourself turned into a complete shopaholic. If you are inclined towards artistic stuff, a plethora of traditional markets and art shops bring to you plenty of your favorite stuff.

The local community at Denpasar offers two popular department stores. The Galeria Nusa Dua is famous for Balinese goods. If you have a fetish for antique the traditional markets in Bali like the Kumbasari Market, Kuta Art Market, Sukawati or Jalan Danau Tamblingan are a must visit.

After a delightful shopping experience, you would even want to enjoy a sumptuous dining out experience in the swanky restaurants in Bali. Regale your taste buds with a platter of local and international delicacies prepared by the chefs with extra care. You can enjoy a gala feast at both budget category and luxury category restaurants. The Bintang beer and the local specialty Bali Hai are favorites among both locals and tourists.

Sports lovers and adventure enthusiasts also have ample opportunities in terms of Things to do in Bali. While sports freaks can indulge in White water rafting along the Ayung River, Go Karting, paragliding, Scuba Diving and surfing, those seeking for adventure can go for bungy jumping, slingshot and climbing wall. If you just want to enjoy holistic treatments, you can indulge in signature Balinese massages.

2007-10-15T02:55:00.000-07:00

IN THE VILLAGE of Ubud in the district of Gianyar, Bali, is the Neka Art Museum , formerly called the Neka Museum. The founder and owner is Pande Wayan Suteja Neka, better known as Suteja Neka, an art connoisseur. His father, I Wayan Neka (1917 - 1980), received recognition as the best carver in the province of Bali in 1960. He created a three-metre tall statue of the garuda bird for the Indonesia Pavilion at the New York World Fair in the United States of America in 1964, and another one for the same purpose at Expo 70 held in Osaka, Japan.

Suteja Neka began collecting paintings of high quality due to his close friendship with Dutch artists Rudolf Bonnet (1895 - 1978) and Arie Smith (born 1916). In 1975 Neka and Bonnet traveled to Europe to view museums and galleries. Neka's aim to establish a fine arts museum in Bali was reinforced by this journey. After years of planning, the Neka Art Museum officially was opened by then Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture, Dr Daoed Joesoef, on the 7th of July in 1982.

In 1992 the province of Bali presented Suteja Neka with the Dharma Kusuma art award and gold medal on behalf of his devotion and efforts to raise the quality of and preserve Balinese art culture. In 1993 Neka was awarded the Piagam Hadiah Seni art award, the highest distinction in the arts from the Republic of Indonesia. It was presented by the Minister of Education and Culture in recognition of Neka's devotion to the development of traditional and contemporary art in Indonesia. In addition, the award was presented in appreciation of his dedication in founding a high quality private museum. In 1997, the President of Indonesia awarded Neka with the Adikarya Pariwisata tourism trophy. The Pacific - Asia Travel Association ( PATA ) Indonesia Chapter presented him with the Heritage Award in the same year.

It is hoped that the government's recognition of the Neka Art Museum and Suteja Neka's service to the arts will motivate other galleries to contribute their energy and devotion for everyone's benefit.

Dr Anak Agung Made Djelantik Specialist on Balinese Art and Culture Denpasar, Bali

2007-10-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

Location: Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia, Asia (20 minutes from Airport, 5 minute walk to Uluwatu Surf)

Accommodations: Villa and Bungalow - 4 Bedrooms + Loft + Den - 4 Baths - (Sleeps 8-14)

Villa Dragonfly is set in the tranquil environment of Uluwatu, Bali offering complete privacy and spectacular Indian Ocean Views. Relax and to pampered by our staff. Perfect for surfers and beach-lovers as world renowned Uluwatu Surfing Beach is literally next door and famous Padang Padang Beach is approximately two (2) kilometers away.

Villa Dragonfly has two villas available on the property that can be rented separately or together depending on your needs. Villa One has three bedrooms and three full baths, a large fully-equipped modern American-style kitchen, patio and barbecue, 15 meter lap pool, and lush private garden. Villa Two has one bedroom and full outdoor garden bathroom, living and dining room, a terrace overlooking the ocean, and a private garden including a water lily and lotus pond. On a clear day you can watch the sunset over Java from the terrace of either villa!

1 of 2 Dining Areas Villa 1

Bedroom Villa 1

Living Area Villa 2

View from Villa 2

2007-10-09T05:27:00.000-07:00

Location: Kerobokan, Bali, Indonesia, Asia (20 minutes from Kuta and 40 minutes from airport)

Accommodations: Villa - 3 Bedrooms + Loft - 2 Baths - (Sleeps 6-8)

Nestled amongst the lush paddy fields of Banjar Umalas, Villa Ani Ani is a fully staffed, secluded villa in a private compound located only five minutes north of Seminyak, along Bali's western coastline. Architect Gianni Francione one of the first to design the next generation of Bali-style homes that utilize what he calls an emerging “tropical internationalism.” His love of vernacular architecture reveals itself in his design projects.

It is beautifully finished in traditional Balinese materials of teak and the local white stone Palimanan.
A private swimming pool is set within an undulating landscaped Balinese garden. With three fully air conditioned double bedrooms, one with an additional sleeping platform, and two bathrooms, the villa provides accommodation for up to six adults and two children.

The villa's full time staff of eight will assist you with all of your needs during your stay. Commencing with airport transfers upon arrival, they will arrange car hire, prepare meals, clean the villa daily, and take care of laundry. You may prepare your own meals in the fully equipped kitchen or choose from the villa's extensive menu of Indonesian and Italian specialities.

Fresh produce can be purchased from the local market and prepared as required by our own Head Chef Ibu Wayan. Meals are served in the open air pavilion by the lily pond. A variety of additional services can be arranged at Villa Ani Ani, including baby-sitting and massage; extensive information about Bali's best shopping and excellent restaurants is also provided.

2007-10-09T05:16:00.000-07:00

Location: Canggu, Bali, Indonesia, Asia (Just 10 minutes from Echo beach and Seminyak)

Accommodations: House - 4 Bedrooms - 4.5 Baths - (Sleeps 8)

Bali Vacation Rental
Sweeping rice field views from every room in the villa - Bali, Indonesia Vacation Rental Bali Vacation Rental

Sweeping rice field views from every room in the villa - Bali, Indonesia Vacation Rental

Bali Vacation Rental

One of Bali’s newest and most opulent mansions, and yet the moment you enter Villa RaJa, it’s as if you’ve taken a time machine back to Bali’s golden era of architecture.

Crafted by two of the island’s most talented traditional builders, this extraordinary dwelling weaves state of the art technology into a fabulous fabric of antiquity. 400 year old timbers, richly carved paneling, coral, pebbles, limestone, marble and even re-cut Art Deco roof tiles decorate every aspect of the building.

Beneath this dramatic exterior, new buildings frame an ancient 12 metre high ironwood "jineng," containing the ground floor lounge/media room (complete with giant screen and foundation-shaking Yamaha sound system.) Upstairs, the unforgettable master bedroom features a massive antique carved bedhead that was once a prestigious house façade in Java. One visitor likens spending a night here to "Sleeping in the world’s sexiest art gallery."

The villa features another three stunning bedrooms each with its own ensuite bathroom and two with outdoor showers. The diningroom is housed in an outdoor gazebo that floats on a pond and enjoys sweeping views of the surrounding rice fields.

A full complement of Balinese staff are at your service to clean, cook and make your stay as carefree as possible.

Like the country which inspired it, Villa RaJa is itself an unforgettable cultural experience. From the huge "fantastic creatures" front door (carved out of a 1000 year old sprawling lychee root) to the magnificent, carved Borobodur style taro stone gate; or the priceless antique Sumba stone ceremonial slab which serves as a bridge to the dining gazebo, which "floats" on a water lily pond, replete with giant fish. This is indeed a photographer’s paradise.

2007-10-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Every year, from mid-June to mid-July the PKB (Pesta Kesenian Bali or Bali Arts Festival) comes to the Werdi Budaya Art Center, Jalan Nusa Indah in East Denpasar. Nightly there are performances of both traditional and contemporary dance and music at a number of the six theatre venues here. During the day, beginning at 10:00 a.m. the handicraft and food stalls open, showcasing the best of each regency, with delights for everyone of every age. In the late morning rare forms of music and dance from all over the island are shown - a great time to see some great performances. This year nearly twenty groups from outside Indonesia will also be strutting their stuff. And all of this is for free!

This year the festival is showcasing the International Ramayana Festival with participants from Java, Bali, India, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. The performances will be sprinkled throughout the festival.

In 1979, Bali’s governor, the esteemed and loved Prof. Ida Bagus Mantera, opened the very first Bali Arts Festival on June 20th. He stated that “the Bali Arts Festival should take its place as the basic forum for the growth of our love of the arts.” As the arts are such an integral part of the culture, Prof. Mantera wanted to see it celebrated in a place that would be accessible to all. To promote this, most performances are free of charge to the public and those where tickets are necessary are sold at an affordable price to most people.

Each part of Bali has its unique art forms; the weaving of Sidemen, the jegog bamboo gamelan orchestra of Negara in West Bali and the genyek singing of Karangasem in the East. Most Balinese have never seen these forms and this venue was born to who both Balinese and visitors to Bali the rich cultural heritage this tiny island has to offer.

The festival begins with its s Grand Parade on opening day, starting from the Bajra Sandhi Puputan field in Renon and ending at the Denpasar Art Centre. Each regency is represented with a gamelan orchestra and people dressed in their regional dress. Often tall, towering offerings are carried of the heads of colorfully dressed women, once again showing what e diversity Bali has to offer. Balinese from all over the island come to watch this parade and it is televised on local TV. It’s good idea to get to Renon early in order to get front row seat. Bring hat and an umbrellas as well as a camera. This year it begins at 3:30 pm on Saturday, June l7th (time subject to change).

At the Art Centre itself, exhibitions are set up in the two main halls. Competitions are held of food, costumes, offering making, and pop singing in the indoor Ksiranawa Theater. Performances are held in the huge outdoor Ardha Candra amphitheatre, the wantilan (a small, in the round traditional space), the tetaring Stage outside the Ardha Candra, the Ayodya stage in the old kecak arena in the northeast corner and in front of the exhibition hall by the river.

The Balinese love to go see the big dance drama spectacles put on by High School and College of performing Arts. These sendratari usually depict stories form the Ramayana or Mahabharata and are performed on the immense outdoor Ardha Candra stage on opening and closing nights.

Another popular event is the show from the winners of the kebyar gamelan competition. The top four winners from the nine different areas get to perform: two orchestras pitted against each other on the same stage. If there is intense rivalry amongst the regencies, this can be quite a noisy affair (from the audience, not the orchestra). One year the musicians had to wear helmets as they kept getting pelted with tomatoes and eggs from the “opposing teams’ “ fan club. Not to worry, the committee now makes sure that the two gamelan groups are not from rival areas.

Some of the most exquisite performances are those done at the Wantilan and the outdoor stages in the evenings and those in the late morning. Here you often find forms, which are dying out, watched by only a handful of people but the spirit of the performance, can be quite moving. No tomato throwing here!

One of the favorites is the Old Masters night when performers who have devoted their life to an art form are honored. More often than not, theses artists are over 70, and some have to be helped onto the stage to manipulate a puppet or play an instrument but once in their element, the fluidity of their limbs returns. Please realize that often the times of designated performances, especially those in the mornings, can change or be cancelled.

This Article was written for Balispirit.com by Published author and Ethnographer, Ibu Rucina Ballinger

See below for the latest Bali Arts Festival Schedule or For more information call +62 361 227 126.

2007-10-08T10:28:00.001-07:00

Waisak - is an annual holy day honoring:

The Birth of Prince Siddharta (also known as the Buddha) in taman Lumbini in 623 BCE.
Prince Siddharta achieving nirvana or enlgihtenment and becoming the Buddha in Buddha Gaya at the age of 35 in 588 BCE.
Buddha Gautama’s death in 543 BCE at the age of 80.

Waisak is celebrated in Bali mainly at the very few Buddhist ashrams on the island. There is a huge celebration at Borobudur Buddhist temple outside of Jogjakarta when thousands of Buddhist pilgrims come to pay their respects.

2007-10-08T10:25:00.001-07:00

The month of March brings us Nyepi - Bali's official day of silence (24hrs) on Monday, March 19th. Nyepi marks the first day of the Balinese Saka calendar (1929) and is practiced island-wide where the Balinese dedicate an entire day to introspection and spiritual cleansing, embarking on a new year based on the Balinese lunar calendar.

This is the only place in the world where the government will shut down an airport for meditation & introspection!

Nyepi is my favorite day of the year. The night before the silence begins, there is an island wide parade of paper mache monsters (Ogoh-Ogoh) sent about making a rukus to scare evil spirits off the island, back to where ever they came from. Starting from approximately 6 a.m. on Monday, March 19 and continuing until 6 a.m. the next morning, EVERYONE will stay in their family compounds (or hotels) and silence will overcome the island. There are no cars, no tv's or loud radios, no lamps or fires and no airplanes overhead.

2007-10-08T10:24:00.001-07:00

In accordance with Balinese Hindu belief, knowledge is an essential medium to achieve the goal of life as a human being. This day celebrates Saraswati in Bali, a special day devoted to the Goddess of learning, science and literature. Saraswati rules the intellectual and creative realm, and is the patron saint of libraries and schools. For Balinese Hindus, she is celebrated as she succeeded in taming the wandering and lustful mind of her consort, Brahma, who was preoccupied with the goddess of material existence, Shatarupa. On this day no one is allowed to read or write, and offerings are made to the lontar (palm-leaf scripts), books and shrines.

Saraswati Day is celebrated every 210-days on Saniscara Umanis Wuku Watugunung and marks the start of the new year according to the Balinese Pawukon calendar. Ceremonies and prayers are held at the temples in family compounds, villages and businesses from morning to noon. Prayers are also held in school temples. Teachers and students abandon their uniforms for the day in place of bright and colourful ceremony gear, filling the island with colour! Children bring fruit and traditional cakes to school for offerings at the temple.

2007-10-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

It is said there is never a day in Bali without a ceremony of some kind and if you include all the life cycle rites (baby ceremonies, puberty rites, weddings, cremations,Temple festivals), then this adage is probably true. There are definitely certain times that are “ceremony-heavy” such as the full moons in April and October and the high holy days of Galungan (see below for more info). Balinese religion (called Agama Hindu Dharma) consist of three primary elements: Hinduism based on what is practiced in India but differing substantially from those traditions, animism (where every living thing has a soul) and ancestor worship (the Balinese deify their ancestors after a proscribed process of cleansing has been done).

Temple festivals are held on the anniversary of when the temple in question was consecrated. This could be an annual event, held on a new or full moon or more likely every 210 days, based on the wuku system, a complex calculation of overlapping days of confluence, some being more “powerful” than others (think of Friday the 13th).

An Odalan or temple ceremony usually lasts for three days, but larger ones (which occur every 5, 10, 30 or 100 years) can last for 11 days or longer. The gist of what is happening here is that the Balinese are honoring the deities that rule over the temple by giving them a myriad of offerings, performances of vocal music, dance and gamelan music. They invite them down from their abode on Mount Agung to partake in the activities.

The temple is dressed up in colorful golden clothes, the images of the deities are taken to the local holy spring to be bathed and dressed in their best, shrines are cleaned, performances are rehearsed, committees are formed and then the big day arrives. Usually people take their offerings to the temple in the late afternoon, after the heat of the day has gone, and everyone’s work and school obligations are over.

The offerings, consisting of fruits, rice cakes and flowers, are brought in on women’s heads and placed at strategic points around the temple. These are blessed with holy water by the temple Pemangku or priest. The pilgrims then pray, are blessed with and drink holy water and then take the offerings home to share with their families. The gods have taken the sari or essence of the offerings, leaving the “leftovers” for the humans to consume. In the evenings, there could be spectacular performances of music and dance by local groups.

Since every village has at least three major temples (and often many more than that), there is always some kind of community religious activity going on. Aside from the village temple festivals, every household compound’s family temple (mrajan/sanggah) also has its ceremony every 210 days.

Aside from the Odalan, there are a dozen or so life and death cycle rites that are performed throughout a child’s life:

Gedong-gedongan : this is done in the 8th month (Gregorian calendar/7th month Balinese calendar) of pregnancy to ask blessings for an easy birth. The pregnant woman and her husband wade into the river, where eels and small fish are placed face down on her protruding belly to show the baby the right way out!
Birth: Only the husband and the midwife/doctor are allowed to hold the placenta or after birth. This is washed and then buried on the right (if the baby is a boy) side of the northern pavilion or left (if a girl). With it are buried a comb, a dance fan, a pen, a book—whatever the family wishes the child will grow up to enjoy.The parents are not allowed to go into the kitchen for three days.
Three Days after birth: the parents undergo a simple cleansing ritual so they can go into the kitchen
Rorasin: 12 days after the birth the umbilical cord has usually fallen off. This is placed in a special shrine dedicated to Kumara, the Guardian of Babies.
42-day ceremony: Once a baby has reached this age, a rather large ritual is performed for her/him. This is to ensure that her/his development will continue unhindered. One of the things done at this time is that a baby chick and baby duck are brought in to peck off/dust off cooked rice that is on the baby’s third eye. This is to show the child how to use her hands and feet as well as her mouth to gather food, as the animals do. She is placed under a cockfighting basket where she grabs items that have previously been placed into a clay pot. It is said that whatever she grabs is her vocation.
Three month ceremony: This is also quite a grand ceremony that all the relatives and neighbors are invited to. This marks the first time a child touches the ground for the first time (he is carried everywhere previously). In some villages, this is when the child is “replaced” by a dressed up eggplant or cucumber. The priest sings the praises of the the eggplant so that spirits of chaos that might be lurking around will follow the eggplant when it’s thrown out the front door, while the real baby stays protected.
Odalan or six months (210 days) ceremony. This is the baby’s birthday and will be celebrated ritually every 6 months. But no birthday cakes here!
Three odalans is traditionally when the child has her or his hair cut off and head shaved to represent purity.
Menek kelih or puberty. Not all castes perform this ceremony. It happens when the girl gets her period and the boy’s voice cracks. They are paraded around the village announcing to all that they are now adults (and in the olden days, ready to marry)
Tooth filing: In their late teens, Balinese get the top middle teeth filed; this symbolizes the filing away of greed, anger, lust, drunkenness, envy and confusion.
Wedding: the ultimate fusion of male and female
Death: within death, there are a number of rites. The first is the ritual cleansing of the corpse by the family and the banjar (neighborhood), then comes the burial or the cremation (if the family can afford to cremate right away, they will choose that option) and then the post-crematory purification rites where the soul becomes a deity that shall be worshipped in the family temple.

Aside from these major rituals, there are also honor days which occur every 35 days and are made for

Anything out of metal: daggers, knives, gamelan instruments and now cars and the like
Any fruiting trees
Any domesticated animals, such as pigs, cows, chickens, goats.
Shadow puppets and dance paraphenelia
Literature (Goddess Saraswati)
Kuningan : the end of the l0 day cycle of Galungan

Then we have Nyepi, the day of Silence, when one is not allowed to cook, light fires, go outside the home, drive, have sex or make a lot of noise. It occurs in March or April and one can palpably feel the energy in the air diminish for 24 hours.

Galungan is the day when the victory of Dharma or Justice/Truth wins over Adharma. It is when the family ancestors descend into the family temples, led there by seeing the long curved bamboo pole (penjor) that are erected in front of every Balinese house. For ten days, the ancestors are feted in the family temples; many temple festivals occur at this time of year and there is great feasting. On the last day, Kuningan, the ancestors are seen off with a flurry of yellow offerings and yellow rice.

There are also days to honor Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, within the rice-growing cycle and other agricultural products.

Yes, nearly every day is a day to celebrate something in Bali! The above essay was written by Rucina Ballinger, founder of Dyana Putri Adventures (http://www.balispirit.com/tours/bali_tour_dhyana.html)

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Threads of Life sponsors the weaving of handmade ceremonial textiles, dyed with sustainably cultivated natural dyes, and crafted to a standard seen elsewhere only in museums. Threads of Life is a member of the International Fair Trade Association (www.ifat.org) and works directly with weavers groups across Indonesia creating an inter-island community within which the weavers can express their culture and make a living wage.

For more information please contact Threads of Life Gallery and workshops at Jalan Kajeng 24, Ubud
Tel: +62 361 972187, visit a website www.threadsoflife.com

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A one of a kind experience in the center of Ubud, Tegun Galeri brings together the concepts of a museum and a shop. The intriguing, ever-changing collection includes everything from primitive carvings to highly refined woodwork, textiles and other crafts.

Tegun Galeri is a certain cure to Bali Fatigue. Tegun, one of Ubud's largest and most varied shops, prides itself on offering to both wholesales and retail customers a starling array of unique Indonesian handicrafts and folk art. The Galeri, on Jalan Hanoman, is notable for its large doors and broads windows, both of each draw Ubud's many strollers into a shop. Once, inside, the knowledgeable staff are close at hand, available to field questions and handle specials requests while, at the same time, letting each shoppers explore the store at this or her own pace. This relaxing, "laid back" environment is a big asset to shoppers, and contrasts with the more hectic atmosphere in other stores on the island.

Meghan Pappenheim and Kadek Gunarta, the owners of Tegun Galeri, travel constantly to distant corners of Indonesia and across South East and East Asia, in search of unusual and beautiful pieces of folk art. Meghan also runs Balispirit Yoga Studio and Kadek create incredible one of a kind teak wood furniture for sale through Dek's Studio. All items at Tegun and Dek's Studio can be purchased retail or for wholesale export from Bali.

44 Jalan Hanoman - Ubud, Bali - Indonesia
Email: balifolkart@yahoo.com

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The rains are considering stopping as they have crossed the line into the dry season weeks ago. But the weather gods don’t seem to be in complete control these days.

The entire island is awash in green; Earth Day was just celebrated in the Ubud hills and people are getting ready for the Bali Arts Festival (mid-June to mid-July); Galungan and Kuningan holy days (June 27-July 7, 2007) and the Kuta Karnival in early September.

Galungan is a holy day celebrating the victory of dharma or justice/truth/right living over adharma or injustice/deception/the wrong path. It always falls on the Wednesday in the week of Dungulan in the Balinese calendar and Kuningan falls on the Saturday ten days later. On the Monday prior to Galungan, the women are frying up the ricecakes that are used in the offerings. Tuesday before Galungan, penjor or tall bamboo poles with offerings and sometimes rice plants hanging off of them, are placed outside of every family shrine on the road outside the house. The men of the household are making lawar a traditional dish consisting of finely minced pork, coconut, spices and at times the raw blood from the pig. Lawar is a must in the offerings.

Wednesday itself sees everyone dressed in their finest temple attire, taking offerings to temple, gathering with their family and of course, feasting and praying together. On Galungan, the ancestral deities are invited into the house temple to be feted and on Kuningan in the morning they are ceremonially bid farewell again. This occurs every 210 days, one Balinese year.

Galungan will occur on January 23, 2008 and Kuningan on February 2, 2008.

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The annual Kuta Karnival returns this year so get ready to come and enjoy a Summer of Fun with families and friends! Taglined as “A Celebration of Life”, Kuta Karnival will run this year from 25 June up until 3 July, to coincide with the national school holidays as well as the peak season arrivals of tourists from around the world.

In its third year this year, the Kuta Karnival was established and organized as a response to the terrorist blast that devastated the island of Bali and the international community in October 2002 and in commemoration of lost lives as well as a light of hope for the future.

After commencing major cleansing ceremonies, establishing a memorial for the lost lives, and paying respect to those who left loved ones behind, it is now time to move ahead and leave that incident behind us. After three years it is time to continuously rebuild the image of the island of Bali, and look forward to a brighter and promising future for the island’s people and its tourism industry.

Bali Festival

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The Bali Arts Festival is a full month of daily performances, handicraft exhibitions and other related cultural and commercial activities during which literally the whole of Bali comes to the city to present its offerings of dance, music and beauty. On display are trances from remote mountain slopes, forgotten or recently revived village dances, food and offering contests, classical palace dances, stars of Balinese stage, odd musical performances, "kreasi baru" (new creations) from the dance schools of Denpasar, as well as contemporary choreography and dance companies from other islands and from abroad