Bali Spirit

BaliSpirit festival is a spiritually charged event that celebrates yoga, dance and music and the synergy of global cultural collaboration through the arts.

BaliSpirit festival promises inspiration, new discovery, and the opportunity to affect positive change. In addition to providing an inspiring space for personal

transformation and sacred celebration, the festival's emphasis is giving back to the local Balinese community through creative outreach initiatives.

The BaliSpirit Festival is a leader among a new generation of festivals

for the rapidly growing holistic travel marketplace.

Held over 4 days and 4 nights, this annual celebration brings to Bali a wealth of talented and respected creative masters from around the world and merges the indigenous and rich cultures of Indonesia in the spirit of learning, collaborating and celebrating our creative and spiritual diversity.

he BaliSpirit Festival combines over 95 yoga, dance, and music workshops with inspiring world music concerts to a targeted, passionate, and enthusiastic audience of over 4,500 people. The majestic outdoor festival grounds are located just outside of ubud on sprawling green lawns with a blessed river flowing through. The festival grounds truly embody the spirit of Ubud, Bali.

Galungan Day

Galungan Day is celebrated every Budha Kliwon Dungulan. Galungan Day has a meaning "Pawedalan Jagat" or the earth's celebration. On this day the Hindus thank the God for the creation of the earth and its content. On this day the Hindus feel grateful for His blessings.

Once upon a time, there was a powerful King called Mayadenawa. Mayadenawa was a descendant of daitya (powerful giant), the son of Dewi Danu. Because of his power he can transformed himself into many kinds of creatures and forms. This King ruled the area of Makasar, Sumbawa, Bugis, Lombok, and Blambangan. Because of his great power, Mayadenawa became snobbish and cruel. In this period a priest with divine power, called Mpu Kulputih. Mayadenawa did not allow the Balinese to worship the God, and he destroyed all the temples. Because of this the people of Bali became desperate, the plants were destroyed, plaque was everywhere. The people did not dare to fight back or argue the order of Mayadenawa because of his magical power.

Galungan is the day to celebrates triumph, the most important event for the Balinese. For Galungan, every house compound and entrance gate is decorated with umbul-umbul, a long colorful flag on an overhanging bamboo pole, and Penjor, long overhanging bamboo poles decorated with elaborate carved creations -- each different according to the region of the island. During the celebration, school and business activity will stop and all concentration will focus on activities associated with this special celebration. During the Galungan, the Balinese believe that their ancestors descend to their former homes. The ancestors must be entertained and welcomed with prayer and offerings. They must also give offering at the grave for those who have ancestors that have not yet been cremated.

Kuningan Day

There are many Annual Celebrations of Bali, which constitute of religious and non-religious events and festivals. One of the most important Bali Events and Festivals that is considered very pious by the people of Bali, is the Kuningan in Bali. The festival of Kuningan in Bali is the end of the 10 day festivities of the Galungan, when the ancestors and Gods are supposed to descend to the family temples and have to be prayed to and deified. To know more about the festival of Kuningan in Bali do browse through the Bali Travel Guide, which offers you complete information. 

 

One of the most important Bali Events and Festivals in the month of December, the Kuningan in Bali is a private affair. Most festivals in Bali are public in nature and consist of processions and ceremonies that are celebrated with pomp and splendor. However, the Kuningan in Bali is an event that is very subdued and celebrated by people in the shrines of the family temple and and in the houses. Every Balinese goes to his native home for the celebration of the festival of Kuningan in Bali.

 

The Kuningan in Bali traces its name to the special offerings of Yellow Rice, or 'nasi kuning', which are made by rice colored with turmeric. These are offered to the ancestors and Gods, to appease them and keep them happy. The Kuningan in Bali is a time when the whole family comes together and prays to their ancestors and the Gods to keep them happy and to bless them. 

 

Tumpek Kuningan takes place 10 days after Galungan Day, at the Saturday of Kuningan, the 12th week of the Balinese Pawukon calendar. 

 

Tumpek Kuningan is the day when the Gods and Pitara return to the earth to bestow physical and spiritual prosperity on humanity, and to bless all beings of the universe. 

 

The ceremonial equipment used on Tumpek Kuningan is quite special. Amongst them are: tebog, selanggi, endongan, yellow rice, puppets, tamiang, kolem and others. The ceremonies should be completed before the sun sinks to the west (before noon) because by then the Gods and Pitara will have returned to their respective kahyangan or heavens in the invisible world of niskala.

Deepavali

Commonly known as the Festival of Lights, the celebration of Deepavali (or Diwali) marks the triumph of good over evil, the victory of light over dark.

Deepavali owes its origins to the epic stories narrated in the Hindu religious scriptures. Perhaps the most popular origin story is recounted in the Ramayana in which Lord Rama reunites with his wife Sita following a 14-year exile, and after having killed the demon king Ravana.

In the epic tale, the denizens of the kingdom of Ayodhya celebrated the prince's triumphant return to his homeland and later, his ascension to the throne, by lighting up their homes and the streets with earthen oil lamps. This happened on the night of the new moon and is commemorated hence, as the celebration of Deepavali. However, the story of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana is only one out of many that is said to have given rise to this annual celebration.

One other popular tale remembered during the occasion is that of the battle between Lord Krishna and the evil asura (demon) Narakasura. Krishna emerged victorious after a long and drawn-out struggle, and his victory was celebrated with the lighting of lamps. Yet others believe that Deepavali marks the day when the prideful and evil Mahishasura was vanquished at the hands of the goddess Kali.Variations notwithstanding, these stories share a common thread; that of the removal of evil, to be replaced by that which is good. This sense of renewal is reflected in the way Hindus prepare themselves for Deepavali.

In anticipation of the celebration, homes as well as their surrounding areas are cleaned from top to bottom; decorative designs such as the kolam are drawn or placed on floors and walls; and the glow of lights, whether emitted from the traditional vilakku (oil lamps fashioned out of clay) or colourful electric bulbs, brighten up the abode of both rich and poor, signalling the coming festivities.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. 

The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors. 

The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family. 

The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.

Gawai Dayak

The Gawai Dayak festival in Sarawak, Malaysia is actually a celebration of good harvest. Classified under the Dayak, the Iban, Bidayuh and the Orang Ulu communities celebrate this festival to give thanks to the gods for the good monsoon resulting in a plentiful harvest. This festival brings along all the members of these communities who eat, drink and dance together.

The festivities start right from the end of May and continue till the middle of July. Clothed in the traditional dress, everyone takes part in the various cultural functions. The elders however perform the traditional rituals. There are ample food and drink on offer for everybody. Tuak, wine (made from rice) and a wide variety of other food items are served.

The Gawai Dayak festival of Malaysia is not only celebrated in big cities and towns only. Rather this festival is celebrated all over the country including the interior most parts of this diverse country. In rural areas, the hospitable villagers invite guests to taste tuak and eat at all the houses. Music and dancing forms a major part of this festival and adds liveliness to this already colorful festival.

Tadau Kaamatan

The Tadau Kaamatan festival in Malaysia kicks off in May. Held for two days only, the festival offers a brief glimpse into the arts and culture of Sabah. Celebrated by Sabah’s largest ethnic group, the festival begins with the high priestess of the Kadazan Dusun tribe offering heartiest thanks to the spirit of paddy.

The Tadau Kaamatan festival in Malaysia is the time when people get to taste the authentic cuisine of Sabah. A wide variety of foods with lip smacking taste, the rice wine or tuak form a major part of the festival. Recreational activities such as buffalo racing and other sports, the local dance all are part of these festivities.

Local beauty pageants are organized in the villages of Sabah. This is a major eye candy for the spectators. Apart from that, local women in the villages dress up in their traditional costumes and adorn themselves with jewelry. So if you are planning to go to Malaysia in May, try to catch up the spirit of the Tadau Kaamatan festival in Malaysia.