Pura (Temple) Rambut Siwi - approximately 17 km eastern of Jembrana town. It is a temple to worship God who manifest into a God of agriculture. Drops down in the southeastern part Pura Rambut siwi there is Pura Segara. This temple also called Pura Taman. Adjacent to it there is Pura Penataran. In the event, especially if there pujawali (temple anniversary/festival), those three temples are apparently in association. Pujawali held every six months on the day Buda (Wednesday)Umanis wuku Prangbakat (Balinese calender). Generally when we pray to Rambut Siwi Temple is certainly also performed worship in Pura Segara, and Pura Penataran. Rise to the top of the South-west then stands majestically Rambut Siwi temple. Noting the location of the three temples arrangement, obviously appears the temples are very old. Since before the Mpu (Priest) Kuturan teaching to develop Tri Kahyangan (Three temples) in every village in Bali, there were three types of temples in every kingdom in Bali, Pura Segara (Sea), Pura Penataran Surface), and Pura Puncak (Peak/Mountain). Pura Rambut Siwi is classified its peak (Puncak) because it is on top or on the plateau when viewed from the Pura Segara, and Pura Penataran. It symbolizes the worship of God animates Bhur Loka (Bottom), Bhuwah Loka (Surface), and Swah Loka (Top). Those three temples depicts that God exists everywhere, in the bottom, surface, and top of nature.
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| Courtesy of Wikipedia |
Legong Kraton is one of the clasic dance in Bali and its believed to be a source of inspiration emergence of new creative dances in Bali. Legong dance is originally from Sukawati village, which is in Puri Paang Sukawati. From Sukawati legong keraton developing and spread out onto the villages in Bali such as Saba village in Puri Agung (now at Puri Taman, Saba), in Peliatan, in Bedulu, in Benoh Denpasar, and so forth. In the village of Saba, at Saba palace, according to I Gusti Gede Raka Legong Keraton already danced around the year 1911, under the direction and trainner of I Gusti Gede Oka who has a peerage "Anak Agung" in the village of Saba, which is his own grandfather.
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| Photo courtesy of my.opera.com |
Ciwaratri is a holy day to implement a worship to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God in Balinese) in His manifestation as Sang Hyang Siwa. Siwaratri Day has special meanings to Bali Hindus, because on that day believed Sang Hyang Siwa are doing yoga meditation. So that, the Bali Hindus doing an activities that lead to self-purification, concentration ahead Sang Hyang Siwa, in an effort to find "self-awareness". Siwaratri Day come once a year of Balinese calender.
In Hindu literature that is shot Lubdhaka (by Mpu (master) Tantular) mentioned about the implementation Ciwaratri day. Implementation Ciwaratri day begins with cleansing the body by bathing in the morning. After doing morning pray, then proceed to do the fast. In the evening continue to do samadhi/yoga and stay awake all night long by calming your mind or read the scriptures.
The Bali Art Festival is the biggest annually art even on the islands. The festival usually open by the president of Republic Of Indonesia, and followed by the art parade represent each regency in Bali.
Beside to show Balinese arts, its also invite the other country or province to participate and they also has presentation on the opening parade and the exhibition. Some province and country that usually participate are from Java, Borneo, Papua, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, etc.
Melasti or Melis ritual procession related to the celebrations of Nyepi (silence day) Holy day in Bali, cunducted during 3 days before Nyepi.
"The series of ritual events can be adapted to the conditions, time and local environment (desa, kala, patra), said Chairman Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) Bali, Drs. Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, MSI.
Oleg Tamulilingan the dance for those who are in love. Oleg Tamulilingan came from two Balinese word, Oleg means graceful movement and Tamulilingan means bumblebee, combined to named a creative art of dance that was created in 1952. Inspired by the photographs of classical ballet duet "Sleeping Beauty" about the love story princess Aurora with her lovely Prince Charming, who shown to I Ketut Marya by a Western cultural observer that lived in Kaliungu, Denpasar, John Coast.
The ritual of Perang Ketupat (Rice Cake Battle) or in other name Aci Rah Pengangon meaningful of gratitude to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa (God) for the harvest, spared from drought, as well as prayer to invoke the safety and welfare of mankind. The ritual of perang ketupat held at Kapal village, Mengwi district, Badung regency, approximately 20 minutes western of Denpasar.
Perang Ketupat ritual is one of indigenous cultural traditions of Hindus in Bali, which is unique, and a heritage that still carried over from generation to generation till today. The ritual was first held approximately in 13th century at Kapal Village according to the command (bhisama) of Ki Kebo Iwa, the greatest commander at the mean time in Bali, and now this ritual countinously held by the villagers every year to keep the tradition and also to keep the meaning of the ritual.
Penglipuran village in Bangli regency could maintain their hundreds of years live traditios in the rapid growth of tourism and urbanism in Bali. The villagers stand for their heritage traditions to live side by side with a sparkling modern world.
Very Unique! Possibly the most appropriate word for Panglipuran. This traditional village has their houses's gate so called "angkul-angkul" in uniform. The physical appearance of this vilage is also very typical and beautiful. The main road of the village is a straight narrow path with some staircases. The tourism potential that the village has are a unique and strong customary, beatiful bamboo forest, and the high frequency of ceremonies.
Panyembrama dance is a clasic welcome dance in Bali. Originally this dance create to performed on a religious ceremonies in Bali such as temple festivals. This dance is to welcome the God, when the ceremonies in progress.
Art, dance, religious are blended well in Balinese life. As the world favorites tourist destination island, Balinese are ready for it. The Balinese will be very happy to welcome the tourist who come to the island.
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| The Ancient Bali village |
Bali, the flow of time is graceful and endless. Hence, few records have been kept, and it is uncertain when humans first arrived on the island. But there legends are often more vivid than any historical text, and Bali has her share to document the island's unique beginings.
It seems a mischievous prince (Manik Angkeran and Naga Besuki tales) was once banished to the east tip of Java by his father, the king, who then drew a line across the sand between them with his cane. The crevasse filled with seawater to create the once impassable Bali Strait between the two islands and separated them forever; some say the strait was filled with tears of sorrow rather than ocean saltwater. About the settling of Bali, however, there is a little human evidence prior the stoneinscription of the ninth century A.D. With the tenth century, though, came an era of Javanese influence, from culture and kingdoms to dawn of Hinduism on the island.
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Keris, is symbol of sharp-pointed
life's weapon |
Tumpek Landep is a holy day to worship Hyang Pasupati - the manifestation of God who confer the life to sentient beings and weapons of human life. Therefore, when Tumpek Landep, the pointed or sharp weapons such as keris are offerings - as people's act of devotion to God who have confer the weapons or equipment that facilitate human life.
Its a holy day that is still connected with the Science holy day, Saraswati day. When the human being gain knowledge and celebrate it on Saraswati day, now it the time to sharpen the mind and use as appropriate.
Nature in Bali is quite unique. Separated from Java by a slim strait just 2 kilometers wide, this small islands is only a 30-minutes ferry hop from her Islamic sister, Java, but a unique Hindu aura is immediately apparent upon stepping over this quiter shores. Tough the islands is just 8 degrees south of equator and the sunlight equally scorching, life is visibly more relaxed; shadows seem cooler, voice softer, movement more gentle. It is this mood of subtle glances and slow, genuine smiles that has for centuries attracted Western tourist attentions, a mindset of time-honed Balinese traditions laced with deep respect for this small island's unpredictable nature.
Pagerwesi is celebrated in the connection of Saraswati day. Pagerwesi are held on Buda (Wednesday) Kliwon Sinta.There are a lot of cultural celebrations in Bali. This ceremonial event makes Bali a unique place. The cultural atmosphere in Bali will not even disturb you. The Balinese will kindly show you if there were any celebration you might want to watch. One of those unique cultural events is “Pagerwesi”. There will be the Pagerwesi celebration in Bali every 6 months.
Balinese brought banten (offering) as their gift to God on Pagerwesi celebration. Banten also called sesajen. In this particular day, every institution including government office, school and other public and private business are not doing business. It is a holiday.
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| Dewi Saraswati Statue |
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The learned and the erudite attach greater importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati. Hindus celebrate this festival with great fervor in temples, homes and educational institutes alike.
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| Canang is a media for offering |
The serenity are kept well in Bali as the Balinese sacred beliefs and lives. Many of Bali's cultural traditions are based on its unique religion, a mix of animist origins later colored by Hindu Traditions.
Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu are all recognized and whorshipped, but this deities are believes as Sang Hyang Widhi (God) manifestation as Its function. Spirits are everpresent amid the main themes of belief, good deities guardian over the mountains and temples while evil ghosts, such as the mischievous leyak, lurk along deserted beaches and in night shadows. Each morning, the village women will places gift of flowers, food bits and incense along the small home shrines and small village temples, as the gratitude to the God of what they receipt for the day. (foods, water, lifes, health, etc).
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| Bale Banjar (Community center) |
Although Balinese rituals may at times seem complicated, the names of those born on the island are quite simple since-boy or girl- there are only four to remember.
All first-born children called Wayan, second born are Made, third born are Nyoman, fourth born-children are Ketut, and the fifth child's name begin the sequence again with wayan and so on.
The statue has become something that ordinary in Bali. The statue seemed to be a part of Balinese life. They honor heroes by making a statue, keeping the balance of nature by building statues and also to decorate the room and garden. Most of the statues in Bali is taken from the Hindu's God character, and local hero, thus not a few of them are base on daily activities of society.
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| Penjor Galungan at one village in Bali |
Penjor is a bamboo pole (a whole bamboo) wiht the curve at the edge of it and decorate by young palm or coconut leaves.
As it function, there are two types of Penjor; (1) Sacred Penjor which is put on the religion ceremony such as Temple Festival, or Bali Hindu's Holiday "Galungan and Kuningan". Its must be come together with Sangah Penjor (Temporary bamboo stupa). (2) Decoration Penjor, which is put on to decorating the area when some occasion being held such as; vilage festival, art festifal, etc. or for the competition. This kind of Penjor doesn't come with the sangah penjor (temporary bamboo stupa).
Makepung is a traditional sports event in Negara regency. Word of "makepung" (Balinese) mean race. Like other race such as a horse race or auto race but makepung is a water buffalo race.
Negara is the western regency of Bali, with the capital town Jembrana is the sea gate from Java island. This regency a little bit diferent with other regencies in Bali, the daily lifes are influence by Javanese culture, more mosque shown than Hindu's temple along the road.
Magoak-goakan is a dance games from the Northern side of Bali island, Buleleng regency. Its a games, that played by the kids or teenagers but could be performed as a mini opera. The name magoak-goakan is taken from a bird name Goak (Raven). This game is about solidity and keep the group in form.
The games of magoak-goakan played by at least 10 people 1 person will be a hunter and the others will form a long line connected by holding the person in front of them. The hunter will try to catch the tail which is the very last person in the line but the header of the line will of course protect its tail. Once its catch the rest of the gorup will ask the hunter, what he want to release the tail and what ever the hunter want, the group has to grant it to exchange the tail that had catch by making a noice as a group of raven.
