Tumpek Landep

Tumpek Landep 

     The day devoted to Sanghyang Pasupati, Lord of all heirlooms, weapons and tools made of metal for proper function and magical power, held at every family compound, smith's workshop and temple.

Temple celebrations at Pura Ida Ratu Pande, Besakih Complex, Karangasem; Pura Kertha Banyuning, Buleleng; Pura Gunung Beratan, Buleleng; Pura Arya Bang Pinatih, Peguyangan, Buleleng; Pura Taman, Bubunan, Buleleng; Pura Panti Pasek Abian Baru, Kendran, Buleleng; Pura Pasek Gelgel, Pedungan, Badung; Pura Pasek Tangkas, Kediri, Tabanan; Pura Toya Katipat, Wanegiri, Buleleng.

       On that day, specific offerings are made in the home for kitchen implements, garden tools and metallic parts of machinery, vehicles and the like. Builders generally take a day off to make offerings for their work tools.

This special day for Balinese Hindu people is called "Tumpek Landep" day, devoted to Sang Hyang Pasupati, Lord of heirlooms, weapons and metal tools for proper function and magical power. The celebration is held at every house compound and temple.

With these offerings, special prayers are said to pray to God so that these material things continue to be strong and bring good fortune to their owners.

Within the family temples where heirlooms such as krisses (wavy double-bladed daggers) and other weapons are kept, offerings are made to ensure the continued magical power of these implements.

The kris is considered a standard part of traditional Balinese dress. During a wedding ceremony the groom will wear one across his back if the family has one, and you can see them on most of the male characters in Balinese dances, operas and dramas. 

Offerings are also given to any kind of vehicles after being cleaned. It would be a good opportunity for travelers to Bali to witness how thousands of cars, motorbikes and other metal items are fully decorated with the offerings and ornaments made from young coconut leaves.

Pagerwesi

Pagerwesi

      The name literally means iron fence - the day devoted to Sanghyang Pramesti Guru, Lord of the Universe, when Hindu Followers pray for strong mental defense in welcoming Galungan Holiday, held at every compound and temple throughout Bali.

    Temple celebrations at Pura Kehen, Downtown of Bangli; Pura Laban Sindujiwa, Kedewatan, Ubud; Pura Siwa/Pasek Tohjiwa, Penebel, Tabanan; Pura Padang Sakti Tangtu, Kesiman, Denpasar; Pura Masceti Selasih, Sanding Tampaksiring, Gianyar

      Pagerwesi day is also a day upon which an ancient battle between good and evil is celebrated. The three days preceding Pagerwesi have special names and are for special activities. Sunday, the first day of Pawukon is called "Banyu Pinaruh". Many people who live near the sea go to the beach at dawn and symbolically purify themselves by bathing.

This is a special day for fishermen, who make offerings for their boats and nets. Monday is called Soma Ribek, a day that is not widely celebrated. Tuesday is Sabuh Emas, when one is supposed to make offerings for jewelry, especially that of gold and for the Chinese coins that are often used in many kinds of offerings.

          Pagerwesi Day falls twice a year, as do other Balinese Hindu celebrations such as temple anniversaries, Galungan & Kuningan day, Saraswati, Otonan (Balinese birthday celebration) and many others are also based on the Pawukon.

Coma Ribek

Coma Ribek 

        A thanksgiving to Almighty God (Ida Sanghyang Widhi), presented in offerings to Dewi Sri, Goddes of Rice and other sources of living, held at every family compound, along will full-moon ceremony.

Temple celebrations at Pura Jati, Banyubiru, Jembrana; Pura Kawitan, Batugaing, Bangli. 

On this holiday, Balinese present special offerings to Dewi Sri (Goddess of prosperity), the offering is placed on the granary, or rice container. There are also several taboos that are observed by some Balinese on this day such as no rice processing activities such as pounding the rice grain in the mortar to separate its husk is allowed, the only exception is cooking the rice.  Soma Ribek is a holiday in which Balinese show their gratitude on the blessing, providence and prosperity bestowed by God.

Sabuh Mas

Three days after Saraswati Day, on Anggara (or Tuesday), Wage, Wuku Sinta, is Sabuh Mas day. “Sabuh” means belt, and “Mas” mean gold. On this day, Balinese bring offerings to the deposit box or the place where they keep their jewelry. They thank Mahadewa (manifestation of God) for cloth, money, gold, etc in our lives. This celebration remind them to be selective when spending money. The philosophy of Sabuh Mas day is the fourth most Important thing for human life is cloth and gold, etc.

Saraswati

Saraswati

          The day devoted to Sanghyang Aji Saraswati, Goddes symbolizing knowledges and arts and when blessing ceremony is given to holy scriptures, literatures of sciences and arts held at every family compound.

Temple celebrations at Pura Pemaksan Banyuning, Buleleng; Pura Taman Alit, Banyuasri II, Buleleng. 

Saraswati is the Goddess of Knowledge, symbolized by a beautiful woman with four hands, riding on a white swan among water lilies to tell humanity that science is like a beautiful woman. Her hands hold a palm leaf; a lontar, (a Balinese traditional book which is the source of science or knowledge); a chain (genitri with 108 pieces) symbolising that knowledge is never ending and has an everlasting life cycle; and a musical instrument (guitar or wina) symbolising that science develops through the growth of culture. The swans symbolise prudence, so that one's knowledge may distinguish between good and evil and the water lilies (Lotus) are symbols of holiness. The Lotus flower is the holiest for Balinese.

In the afternoon of Saraswati day we are not permitted to read or write the book because all the books are offered. In the evening, called Malam Sastra, people read books (especially religious books) in their houses or in the temple.

• Pangredanan (the day before Saraswati)
  This is the day of preparation. All the books and lontar are collected together, cleaned and dusted.
• Saraswati Day
  Saraswati day itself is celebrated by the Balinese people bringing offerings to their holy books and scrolls in their houses, while students celebrate it at school, usually in the morning, and the office-workers in their office. The philosophy of Saraswati day is that the most important thing for human life is knowledge.
• Banyu Pinaruh
  The day after Saraswati Day is Banyu Pinaruh day. "Banyu" means water and "Pinaruh" mean wisdom. In other words, we must have wisdom which always flows like water and which is useful for human kind. We pray for Dewi Saraswati (manifestation of God) to give us cleverness and wisdom. The people usually take a bath in the sea or a lake or river and drink traditional medicine which is made from many various leaves which is very good for our health. The philosophy of Banyu Pinaruh day is the second most important thing for human life is good health.
• Soma Ribek
  Two days after Saraswati Day, on Soma (or Monday), Pon, Wuku Sinta, is Soma Ribek day. "Soma" meaning Monday, and "Ribek" meaning full. On this day, Balinese bring offerings to the rice box. They thank God for food and beverage in their lives and pray to Dewi Sri (Goddess of prosperity, manifestation of God) to give prosperity. This celebration remind them to be selective when choosing food and not to over eat to improve their health. The philosophy of Soma Ribek day is the third most important thing for human life is food and drink.
• Sabuh Mas
  Three days after Saraswati Day, on Anggara (or Tuesday), Wage, Wuku Sinta, is Sabuh Mas day. "Sabuh" means belt, and "Mas" mean gold. On this day, Balinese bring offerings to the deposit box or the place where they keep their jewelry. They thank Mahadewa (manifestation of God) for cloth, money, gold, etc in our lives. This celebration remind them to be selective when spending money. The philosophy of Sabuh Mas day is the fourth most important thing for human life is cloth and gold, etc.
• Pagerwesi
  Four days after Saraswati Day, on Buda (or Wednesday), Kliwon, Wuku Sinta, is Pagerwesi day. "Pager" meaning fence and "Wesi" meaning iron. On this day, Balinese pray to Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru (manifestation of God). All Balinese have offerings to their Sanggah (temple in their home) and at all of their temples. This is the second biggest holiday after Galungan day for the Balinese. The philosophy of this celebration is that they must keep knowledge, health, food, cloth and gold high in their lives to keep the universe in balance.

Ogoh-ogoh and Nyepi

Ogoh-Ogoh Carnival - What a festival!

     Ogoh-Ogoh is a sculpture, puppet or effigy in the likeness of 

a demon. The forms of the effigy vary but are mostly taken from Hindu stories. Some of them take the shape of a demon with a lolling tongue, a mythical creature with fiery eyes, a cruel animal, horrible face, ghost or other bad creatures. The body of Ogoh-Ogoh can reach up to nine feet in height, 40-60 kg in weight. Ogoh-Ogoh is built of a bamboo frame (for its body, fingers, hands and feet), the face is made from cork, the nails are made of plastic while the hair is made from wool or fibre.

            Firstly, the people will make the skeleton of the demon from bamboo, then covered it by papier-mache and paint it. They add nails to each finger while the cork for the face is carved in a likeness of one of the demons. After that, they set the hair, put a dress round it's body and complete its decoration. Some of the Ogoh-Ogoh also wear a crown on their head. The people also prepare stretcher to carry the Ogoh-Ogoh around the village.

            

          Ogoh-Ogoh is prepared by a group of men, especially the young, in the "Bale Banjar". The Bale Banjar is a meeting hall/ place where the members of Banjar (a community extension of the house and family) usually gather to discuss the village's needs. The fuction of Bale Banjar is as a place to hold meetings among the village community and host activities.

There are 1376 villages, each village has 5-11 Banjars. If we assume there are 5 Banjars in one village and each Banjar has one Ogoh-Ogoh, that means there will be 6,880 Ogoh-Ogoh on the whole island. However, in some Banjars they build up to 3 Ogoh-Ogoh each.

       It costs the Banjar approx. 3-6 million Rupiah to make an Ogoh-Ogoh. The finance comes from the Banjar community businesses within the village. A family may contribute Rp. 10.000 - Rp. 100.000 each. It takes 2-4 months to finish an Ogoh-Ogoh. Everynight, from 7.00PM-11.00PM, all the young men will come to the Banjar to build their Ogoh-Ogoh. In some villages, there is an Ogoh-Ogoh competition.

         The function of Ogoh-Ogoh is to push away the evil spirits who descend on the earth on the evening before "NYEPI DAY" (Balinese New Year) to disturb the equilibrium of world peace. The Hindu people around Indonesia and especially Bali, choose the demons' shape because it is believed that the evil spirits will be affraid of these screaming forms and hurry to leave the island. Ogoh-Ogoh must be available on this evening to chase away the evil spirits and to clean the island in order to welcome the new year. 

Nyepi Day

      Nyepi Day is a day of reflection, when all residents, both Hindu and non-Hindu, respect the rules of silence which mark the Hindu New Year. Nyepi Day, according to the Balinese calendar, falls on either 11 March or 09 April 2005 (evidently this date is chosen by preists using the moon and various calendars and they're having a discussion at time of printing as to the correct date. Call us for the latest info.) It is a day of absolute quiet throughout the island. No activity is whatsoever is allowed, no traffic at all on the roads, no fire may be lit, use of electricity is banned (except in the tourist hotels) and traffic is banned from the streets for the 36 hour commemorative period. As a result, passengers will not be able to arrive or depart from Denpasar Airport on this day and must remain within their hotel's grounds.

      Purification and sacrificial rites are held the day before - culminating at night with Ogoh-Ogoh dancing through the villages. The idea is to wake up all the evil spirits on Bali then on Nyepi when the spirits return, Bali is absolutely quiet and the spirits, not able to find anyone, leave the island for good.

Galungan and Kuningan

Galungan

                    This is the most important Balinese holiday and symbolizes the victory of virtue (Dharma) over Evil (Adharma). The holiday is characterized by putting "Penjor" (tall Bamboo poles laboriously decorated with woven coconut leaves, cakes and flowers), on the right side of every house entrance. It is important for the Balinese to visit all their family temples on this day which sometimes requires a lot of driving around.

There will be temple celebrations at Pura Ratu Bagus Subandar, Besakih Complex, Karangasem; Pura Dukuh Sakti, Kediri and Tabanan. 

Kuningan

               This holiday takes place ten days after Galungan, bringing the Balinese New Year holiday period to a close. Ceremonies are held for ancestral spirits.

Temple celebrations will occur at Pura Ulun Kulkul, Besakih Complex, Karangasem; Pura Taman Pule Mas, Gianyar; Pura Sada, Kapal, Mengwi, Badung; Pura Bukit Jati, Bangli; Pura Pucak Gede, Luwus, Baturiti, Tabanan; Pura Pasek Gelgel, Muncan, Kapal, Badung; Pura Dalem Agung Sri Nararya Kresna Kepakisan, Dukuh Gelgel, Klungkung.