Bali Festivals: When They Happen and What to Expect
Guide to festivals on Bali
Located in the Indonesian archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, Bali is unique as most of its inhabitants are Hindu and many of the cultures and traditions are an amalgamation of Hinduism and the Indonesian way of life. This fascinating culture and traditions make Bali an interesting place to visit, besides its idyllic beaches, dreamy cafes and lush greeneries.
This part of Bali was also heavily featured in the book and subsequent movie, Eat Pray Love, and continues to attract those who are fascinated by its authenticity. Much of these cultures and traditions manifest themselves in the many festivals that are celebrated by the Balinese. Here is a guide on festivals in Bali so you can partake in some of them on your next trip here:
Bali festivals: What and When
Ceremonies in Bali are an almost-everyday occurrence, as the people celebrate important events such as natural phenomena like the full moon, or important milestones like puberty, marriage and death. You may find hundreds and even thousands at some of these ceremonies and festivals, but here are some of the important ones:
Nyepi: the Balinese New Year which takes place in March or April according to the Balinese calendar. This day is special as it is also known as the Day of Silence, and the entire island observes complete silence for the whole day. The idea of Nyepi is to encourage purification and meditation by refocusing the minds and to rid the island of demons by tricking them into thinking that the island is deserted.
More than just a festival, Nyepi is taken very seriously and even flights in and out of the airport are halted. Hotels are also asked to cover their windows and all shops will be closed that day. There will be no vehicles on the road and no lights or candles will be lit as well.
It is quite special to experience Nyepi in Bali, so if you happen to be there do take part in observing this silence and make sure you empty your plans for the day!
What to expect during festivals
Festivals in Bali are important celebrations of the religion, cultures and traditions of the people here and are taken very seriously. Some of them are spiritual in nature, while many are also fun, exciting and celebrate the fullness of life. As a visitor, it is a great privilege to partake in a Balinese festival so do take the opportunity to do so if you can!
However, do ensure that respectful decorum is also practised when taking part in these festivals. For example, observe silence on Nyepi Day as much as you can, and be respectful when entering temples on the other celebration days. The Balinese love it when visitors want to participate in their millenia-old traditions but make sure you don’t mock, complain or behave in a disrespectful manner while doing so.
Above it all, enjoy yourself and take this time to understand a different culture and the complexities of their traditions!