Balinese Temples Ceremony
Galungan, Kuningan & Nyepi Ceremony Update on Bali Island
Hindus in Bali apply strict rules regarding temples and ceremonies. These rules mainly concern dress requirements and conditions of 'sebel' (taboo) such as menstruation or open wounds, bringing food into the temple, being physically or mentally ill, being in a state of mourning (for the Balinese this lasts 42 days or one month + 7 days of Balinese calender), and having given birth within the past 42 days. Other rules need to be observed or asked for, especially during festivals.
''Simple guidance when attending a Temple Ceremony''
- Always wear a sarong and sash Do not walk in front of people when they are praying
- Do not use flash or point your camera at the priest's face
- Never sit higher than the priest, the offerings and/or people praying
- During cremation ceremonies, do not get in the way of attendees, however perfect that photographic moment might be
- Women are not allowed to enter temples during their menstruation
''The Galungan Ceremony''
One of Bali's major festivals, celebrates the return of Balinese gods and deified ancestors to Bali. For ten days, Balinese families will entertain and welcome with prayers and offerings, along with ceremonies to cleanse and balance the inner and outer energy on the island. Galungan lasts for 10 days and features, among other things, barongs dancing from temple to temple in each village. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The origins of Galungan are still a mystery, but essentially this is the beginning of the week in which the gods and ancestors descend to earth…and good triumphs over evil.
Galungan Day Calendar :
- Wednesday, 19 February 2020
- Wednesday, 16 September 2020
- Wednesday, 14 April 2021
- Wednesday, 10 November 2021
- Wednesday, 08 June 2022
- Wednesday, 04 January 2023
- Wednesday, 02 August 2023
- Wednesday, 28 February 2024
- Wednesday, 25 September 2024
- Wednesday, 23 April 2025
- Wednesday, 19 November 2025
- Wednesday, 17 June 2026
- Wednesday, 13 January 2027
- Wednesday, 11 August 2027
- Wednesday, 8 March 2028
- Wednesday, 4 October 2028
- Wednesday, 2 May 2029
- Wednesday, 28 November 2029
- Wednesday, 26 June 2030
- Wednesday, 22 January 2031
- Wednesday, 20 August 2031
''The Kuningan Ceremony''
This festival is held ten days after the Galungan Festival, signifying the closing of the new year holiday. On this day, special offerings made of yellow rice and special dishes are offered, while every family compound and temple looks amazing with ornaments. Believed to be the ascendent day of ancestral holy spirits and Deities back to heaven.
Kuningan Day Calendar :
- Saturday, 29 February 2020
- Saturday, 26 September 2020
- Saturday, 24 April 2021
- Saturday, 20 November 2021
- Saturday, 18 June 2022
- Saturday, 14 January 2023
- Saturday, 12 August 2023
- Saturday, 09 March 2024
- Saturday, 05 October 2024
- Saturday, 03 May 2025
- Saturday, 29 November 2025
- Saturday, 27 June 2026
- Saturday, 23 January 2027
- Saturday, 21 August 2027
- Saturday, 18 March 2028
- Saturday, 14 October 2028
- Saturday, 12 May 2029
- Saturday, 8 December 2029
- Saturday, 6 July 2030
- Saturday, 1 February 2031
- Saturday, 30 August 2031
''Hari Raya Nyepi / Nyepi Ceremony''
is a Hindu Day of Silence or the Hindu New Year in the Balinese Saka calendar. The largest celebrations are held in Bali as well as in Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia. On New Year's Eve the villages are cleaned, food is cooked for 2 days and in the evening as much noise is made as possible to scare away the devils. On the following day, Hindus do not leave their homes, cook or engage in any activity. Streets are deserted, and tourists are not allowed to leave hotel complexes. No arrival nor departure flights at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar - Bali. No tours activities...
Nyepi Day calendar :
- Wednesday, 25 March 2020 (Caka Year 1942)
- Sunday, 14 March 2021 (Caka Year 1943)
- Saturday, 03 March 2022 (Caka Year 1944)
- Wednesday, 22 March 2023 (Caka Year 1945)
- Monday, 11 March 2024 (Caka Year 1946)
- Saturday, 29 March 2025 (Caka Year 1947)
- Thursday, 19 March 2026 (Caka Year 1948)
- Monday, 08 March 2027 (Caka Year 1949)
- Sunday, 26 March 2028 (Caka Year 1950)
- Thursday, 15 March 2029 (Caka Year 1951)
- Tuesday, 05 March 2030 (Caka Year 1952)
- Tuesday, 24 March 2031 (Caka Year 1953)
- Friday, 12 March 2032 (Caka Year 1954)
- Tuesday, 31 March 2033 (Caka Year 1955)
- Monday, 20 March 2034 (Caka Year 1956)
- Sunday, 10 March 2035 (Caka Year 1957)
- Friday, 28 March 2036 (Caka Year 1958)
- Tuesday, 17 March 2037 (Caka Year 1959)
- Saturday, 6 March 2038 (Caka Year 1960)
- Tuesday, 25 March 2039 (Caka Year 1961)
- Wednesday, 14 March 2040 (Caka Year 1962)
- Saturday, 3 March 2041 (Caka Year 1963)
- Saturday, 22 March 2042 (Caka Year 1964)
- Wednesday, 11 March 2043 (Caka Year 1965)
- Tuesday, 29 March 2044 (Caka Year 1966)
- Saturday, 19 March 2045 (Caka Year 1967)
- Tuesday, 8 March 2046 (Caka Year 1968)
- Wednesday, 27 March 2047 (Caka Year 1969)
- Saturday, 15 March 2048 (Caka Year 1970)
- Friday, 5 March 2049 (Caka Year 1971)
- Tuesday, 24 March 2050 (Caka Year 1972)
Nyepi Day Calculation,
Nyepi Day is calculated based on Saka Calender (Balinese calender).
One year of Saka calender has 12 sasih (Balinese month). Each sasih consists of 35 days which is usually has one full moon (Purnama) and one dark moon (Tilem). There are 15 days from Purnama to reach Tilem.
The 9th of dark moon (Tilem) is called Tilem Kesanga (9th). One day after the Tilem Kesanga is the first day of Balinese calender (Caka New Year or Balinese New Year). On this day is celebrated as the Nyepi Day.
Nyepi Day is not set (what date we want) by Balinese or government but based on logic calculation of Caka Calender. The next years Nyepi Day can be also calculated using this pattern.
As the Gregorian calender has 365 days a year that's why Nyepi Day is not at the same day or date every year but mostly on March or April.
Other temple ceremony days ( Galungan, Kuningan, etc) are celebrated every 6 months or Balinese calender or 35 x 6 days = 210 days. This ceremony is always at the same day but not the same dates. Ex : Galungan is always on Wednesday ( Budha - Kliwon - Dungulan)
What should the visitors do during Nyepi Day or "Day of Silence" ?
In accordance with local regulations, all visitors must remain within the property's premises during the Hindu New Year or Nyepi Day, from midnight of one day before Nyepi Day to early morning on the next day. Check-in and check-out will not be possible on Nyepi Day, the airport is closed. Only very limited of lights may be considerable in the hotel's rooms whilst Balinese will have no light nor fire for all night. everything stops for a day, the day of total peace and quiet.
Your fullboard should be taken in the hotel as no outside restaurants open on Nyepi Day.
Only in the Nyepi Day we can breath in the real 'pure' atmosphere of environment (physically) and pured mind (spiritual). We can feel the different and differ our feel. Thus, the Nyepi Day should not be avoided. It is only in Bali Island.
