Festival In Bali

Bali has myriad festivals, rituals, and events. Balinese culture has great meaning behind all its festivals. Some festivals in Bali are dedicated to certain gods, including those who symbolize knowledge, virtue, or birth.

Harvest festivals, fasting and retreat festivals, blood sacrifices, and temple festivals are all part and parcel of Bali festivals. Festivals that signify the anniversary of a temple's founding called Odalan are quite famous. Nyepi festival marks the beginning of a new lunar year and on this day, everyone in Bali, including tourists, must remain silent. It is believed that any evil spirits would pass away thinking that the place is uninhabited due to the complete stillness.

The most important Bali festival is Galungan, which symbolizes the victory of virtue over evil. Balinese call it the victory of Dharma over Adharma. It is considered essential that the Balinese visit all their family temples on this day. A local holiday is declared on this day and every family is supposed to plant a bamboo pole decorated meticulously with coconut leaves and flowers.

Pagarwesi, another famous festival in Bali, is devoted to the lord of the universe, Sanghyang Pramesti Guru. The name literally means iron fence and Balinese people pray to this god for strong mental defense.

Festivals in Bali are eventful and colorful and the list includes Kuningan, when ceremonies are held for Balinese ancestors. This festival brings the New Year holiday period to a close.

There are festivals and ceremonies in Bali that are dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. Lots of ceremonies are also held to honor Holy Scriptures, science, literature, and arts.

Tumpek landep, a festival of weapons and tools made of metal for proper use and function is celebrated in every Balinese family compound. The rice harvest festival is one among the several popular festivals in Balinese culture. Tribute is paid to the rice god Dewi Sri, by placing small straw rice-god dolls in fields and villages. You can always check out the online resources and the significant number of books available to get to know about Balinese culture and festivals.

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Wheater in Bali

Bali is located 8 degrees to the south of the equator, and hence it has a tropical climate. Bali does not have the usual four seasons, but just has just two - the wet and dry seasons. Each season lasts for about six months. Dry season is from March to August and wet season is from September to February. Though the weather does not vary that much by season, the wet season may have some downpours for an hour or so in afternoons, followed by warm sea breeze at the beaches of Kuta and Nusa Dua.

Wet season is not a bad time to visit Bali, because most of the downpours are in the mid afternoons and if you plan well, you can really enjoy the rest of the day.

Bali experiences a 6am sunrise and 6pm sunset almost year-round. The average temperature in Bali is usually around 30° C. The dry seasons are quite hot, especially in the afternoons, when the temperatures are at their highest.

Though wet season can have few downpours, most of the time it is hot and humid. The best time to visit Bali is from April to September. June, July, and August are said to be the best months when one can plan a cool visit to these wonderful beaches. This is the time when humidity is comparatively less, though there will be light and infrequent rain showers.

Along Bali beaches, sea breezes temper the heat, but as you go towards the inland, weather becomes more pleasing and sometimes even chilly. Evenings are really splendid with cool breeze flowing through the beaches and Balinese bamboo windows making the most out of them.

Though many details about Bali weather are available, it is better to check with the current weather conditions in Bali before planning a trip to this island.

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Bali Weding Guide

Bali with its picturesque beauty attracts a vast majority of tourists all the year round; it holds its own distinct place among Asian travel destinations. Beautiful sandy beaches that stretch for miles coupled with awe-inspiring wonders like gravity defying rice terraces tempt many a
tourist. Its charm is not restricted to a specific age group of travelers. Bali attracts couples, honeymooners, singles and families alike. Every year a great majority of couples choose Bali for
destination weddings. If you are planning to get married in Bali, following pointers will prove handy: Indonesian law recognizes a marriage of same belief holders only. Bali being an Indonesian city, it has the same laws as the rest of the Indonesia. Only if both of the marriage partners have the same religion, they can get married in Bali. Otherwise one of the wedding partners has to give a change of religion’s declaration in writing.

Weddings of atheists and agnostics are not recognized by Bali laws. Their marriage will not be
considered valid by the civil registry office.

A wedding is given a legitimate status only when it is registered. Once you are in Bali
and before you get married, you are required to provide Civil Registry Office with:

1. Letter of No Impediment

For the issue of Letter of Impediment, you need to provide your Consular Representative with:

• Both of the marriage partners’ 6 months valid Passports (photocopy).
• Attested Divorce Decree (photocopy).
• In case of previous marriage/s, a certificate attesting termination of previous marriage/s (photocopy).

2. Notice of Intention to Marry

Submission of following documents to the Civil Registry Office is required for this notice:

• Religious marriage certification (photocopy)
• Foreign citizens are required to submit a photocopy of their passports.
  Locals are required to submit their Identity cards (photocopy).
• Attested Birth Certificate (photocopy).
• Attested Divorce decree/death certificates (photocopy).
• 4 photos of both of the partners: size 4x6 centimeter
• Letter of No Impediment

This notice will take ten working days for processing after its submission. But if you have a guest registration form, this process will take less time.

You must have two witnesses above 18 years of age. Their ID cards/ passports (photocopy) proving their ages are required by the Civil Registry Office.

A marriage certificate will be issued by the Civil Registry Office within two day of your marriage. You can also obtain an English translation of this certificate for future use.

The above given information will prove helpful for planning a Bali Wedding and will also save you from rough-and-tumble legalities.

The Culture of bali

Bali is an Indonesian island that is rich in
indigenous culture. A lot pf people say that Bali culture is unique and
that the people of Bali have always been contented with the “now.” If
you ask a Balinese person what heaven is like, the probable answer will
be “just like Bali”. This only goes to show that most Balinese people
are happy to be where they are and never worry.

One factor that
contributes to this laidback lifestyle is the culture of close family
ties in Bali. In the Balinese culture, support is always available.
Balinese extended families are so tightly knit that all members usually
reside in the same complex.

Hinduism is one of the main religions
in Bali. The Bali culture is based on a form of this religion, which is
called “Hindu Darma”. This religion reached the island during the
eleventh century. Most of the family customs and traditions as well as
community lifestyles of the Balinese people are influenced by this. The
religious influence even expands widely into the arts, which makes Bali
distinct from the rest of Indonesia.

In spite of the influx of
tourists to the island, Balinese people have managed to preserve their
culture. Almost every native of Bali is an artist in some form or
another. Parents and villagers have passed on their skills to their
children, who all seem to have inclinations either to music, dance,
painting, and decor.

Another remarkable mark of the Bali culture
is the series of ceremonies and rituals known as the Manusa Yadnya.
This marks the different stages of Balinese life. Cremation is very
popular on this island – and unlike in the West, death is a joyous and
colorful event for the Balinese.

Indeed, Bali has a rich culture, making it distinctive from the rest of the islands in Indonesia.

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Charity Dinner at Hu’u Bali Nets RP 20 million for the Bali Kids

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 14 October, 2007 : - - 12 October, Bali: On Friday night starting at around 7:30, the Hu’u Bali saw a different kind of crowd from the usual weekend partygoers lining up to get in the door.

The crowd peaked at around two hundred people, made up of members of the surfing community, media, and supporters of the Bali Kids, gathering at the Hu’u Bali at the invitation of Oakley Indonesia and Villa Mana to help raise money for a worthy cause, the needy kids of Bali, and specifically the Bali Kids non-profit organization.

At the end of the night, Billy Boen from Oakley handed a check for Rp 19,435,000 to Brenton Whittaker from Bali Kids, money collected from dinner ticket sales and the proceeds from the live auction and the silent auction thus far. Certainly more will be coming in during the next week as promises are fulfilled and other silent action items sold. Attendees were treated to free flow drinks, a buffet dinner, video's and a live performance by the Bali Kids.