Tilem (dark moon) is a ceremony dedicated for Dewa Surya (the god of sun). Hindu Balinese people praying at the village temple in the afternoon. Tilem is believed as a special day to purify inner self and to eliminate all impurities inside of human being. In general, Tilem ceremony is a regular monthly ritual as Tilem…

Temple Ceremony / Odalan Bali is known as an island with a thousand temples. It is easy to find a temple ceremony everywhere at anytime. One of the ceremonies is called odalan. Odalan is a celebration of the day when the temple was built. Since Bali calendar occur in 210 days and Bali has lots of temple, no…

A birthday is a special day for most people around the world.  People celebrate a birthday with either a small or a big party.  Most of them hope that they have an unforgettable birthday party at least once in their lifetime.  How about Balinese people?  Do they celebrate birthdays?  What does a birthday mean to…

Metatah, mepandes or mesangih are the local words for tooth filing ceremony, one of the important ceremonies in Balinese life. The ceremony is performed for Hindu Balinese when they come of age. Even though, it doesn’t mean that this ceremony must be done as soon as the children had reach his/her puberty. Many Balinese have…

The days in Balinese religion have their own influences, either good or bad. Kajeng Kliwon is the day that has these influences at the same time. For that reason, Kajeng Kliwon has magical power and therefor is a special day in Bali. According to Ida Pedanda Gde Simpangan Manuaba from Griya Gede Simpangan Tegallantang, Ubud,…

Cremation ceremony is the most important in Balinese life. Along with the following some rituals after, cremation is the last ceremony for Balinese in the human circle of life and must be done properly both in sekala and niskala (visible and un-visible world). There are some words in local language for cremation ceremony. They are:…