7 Unique Ceremonies in Bali You Must See!

Bali is famous ceremonies in Bali as an attractive tourist destination for both domestic and international travelers. One of the attractions for these travelers is the wealth of unique Balinese ceremonial traditions, passed down from generation to generation. For those of you who are currently in Bali or planning a holiday to Bali, you must know about these unique ceremonies in Bali that you shouldn’t miss in your lifetime.

Nyepi Ceremony in Bali

Hari Raya Nyepi is one of the most important ceremonies in Bali that you should not miss. Nyepi marks the Hindu New Year based on the Saka Calendar, used since 78 AD and often known as the Balinese calendar. If you want to know the exact date of Hari Raya Nyepi, you can search on Google with the keyword “Hari Raya Nyepi.”

On Nyepi day, this moment is seen as a time for self-reflection and a chance to unite with the universe. Hindus will remember, reflect, and reconsider what they have experienced, felt, and done over the past year. This process lasts for 24 hours, from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. the following day. In the celebration of the Nyepi ceremony in Bali, on the day before Nyepi, Balinese people celebrate by creating ogoh-ogoh. People create ogoh-ogoh, giant statues made from easily burned materials and shaped like frightening supernatural beings, to embody the “bhutakala” (evil spirits). They parade these statues around and then burn them as a symbol of purification.

On Nyepi day, everyone in Bali participates in “menyepi,” where you won’t hear any vehicle sounds or lights on for 24 hours. No one will leave their house, and Bali will be completely dark at night. This unique beauty can be enjoyed as the sky in Bali fills with countless stars that you rarely see on ordinary days. It’s important to note that the Nyepi ceremony in Bali applies to everyone in Bali, not only Balinese residents. So, if you are not a local, make sure you have prepared everything you need. For the full 24 hours of “Bali menyepi” because you won’t find any stores open, no vehicles on the roads, and even the airport will be closed for the entire day.

However, for safety, there will be “pecalang” who will guard the area. If an emergency arises, hospitals will remain open, so you don’t need to worry if something urgent happens.

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Galungan & Kuningan

Galungan Day is one of the major ceremonies in Bali, usually celebrated by Balinese Hindus. The Galungan celebration takes place every 6 months. The meaning of this celebration is a form of gratitude for the victory of “Dharma” (Good) over “Adharma” (Evil). Therefore, during this moment, Balinese Hindus offer Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa and Dewa Bhatara.

During the celebration, they put many penjor as decorations on the roadside or in front of their houses. If you’re in Bali and see a lot of beautifully decorated bamboo poles everywhere, it means you’re witnessing the grandeur of this celebration.

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Ngaben

One of the most famous ceremonies in Bali is “Ngaben.” The Ngaben ceremony is a cremation ceremony categorized as a Pitra Yadnya ceremony (a ceremony dedicated to ancestors). In this ceremony, they burn the body of the deceased to release the soul from the physical form, returning it to the universe. This ceremony also involves the offering of the soul to the gods and ancestors.

The purpose of Ngaben is to burn the body or a symbolic representation of it, then release the ashes into a river or the sea, which symbolizes freeing the Atma (soul) from worldly bonds so that it can easily unite with God. In this ceremony, some areas in Bali perform Ngaben as a mass event, celebrated with great festivity. If tourists are interested, they can watch this ceremony. For guests of Villa Shanti who wish to witness this tradition in person, in the traditional village of Bentuyung Sakti, Ubud, the Ngaben ceremony is usually held every five years.

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Mekare-Kare

Also known as the Pandan War, the Makare-Kare or Ngerebeg Ceremony is one of the unique ceremonies in Bali, held annually in Tenganan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency, Bali. Balinese people conduct this traditional ceremony to honor Dewa Indra and pay respects to their ancestors. Known as the Pandan War, this ritual uses thorny pandan leaves as its central ceremonial element.

The thorny pandan leaves are cut to the same size and then tied to resemble a mace or war weapon, highlighting the symbolic nature of such ceremonies in Bali. This particular ritual begins with a ceremony to pray for safety. After which two participants will begin the symbolic battle, accompanied by traditional gamelan music, a hallmark of many ceremonies in Bali.

In this unique Balinese tradition, the men of the village engage in one-on-one battles using dried and folded pandan leaves as symbolic weapons. These pandan leaves are hard and thorny, which can cause cuts and scratches on the body. However, the true purpose of the Pandan War is not to harm or defeat the opponent but to participate in a religious ritual honoring Dewa Indra, the god of war in Hinduism. This celebration is one of the many meaningful ceremonies in Bali that serve as expressions of devotion and cultural heritage.

Omed-omedan

In Indonesian means “pulling each other.” Omed-Omedan is one of Bali’s unique ceremonies, usually performed by Balinese youth and held during Ngembak Geni, the day after the Nyepi celebration.

The young people of Bali embrace and pull each other in turns between two groups. Those who participate in this tradition are between 17 and 30 years old. This tradition is a form of masima krama or dharma shanti, which means strengthening bonds of friendship among the community.

At certain moments, young men and women draw close and begin to kiss or hug lightly. In Balinese culture, Omed-Omedan is seen as an expression of togetherness, friendship, and joy. This tradition is also believed to bring blessings and good luck to the participants.

Melasti Ceremonies

Melasti is a religious ritual held in preparation for Nyepi Day. Before celebrating Nyepi, Hindu people perform the Melasti ceremony, which is a purification ritual. This ritual is conducted at temples located near life-giving water sources. Such as the sea, lakes, or rivers.

On the day of the ceremony, Balinese Hindus gather at sacred places that have been designated. They bring statues of deities and other ceremonial tools from the temple to the site of the ritual. In the procession, people carry the deity statues to the beach or a sacred water source, accompanied by singing, dancing, and traditional music.

The main purpose of the Melasti ceremony is to purify oneself and everything considered sacred in Balinese Hinduism. This ceremony actively cleanses holy objects from the temple and honors the Hindu gods.

Fire War Ceremonies in Bali

The Fire War is one of the ceremonies in Bali that you shouldn’t miss. This Fire War, called “Mesabatan Api” by the Balinese, is a unique tradition held on the night before Nyepi Day. Before the tradition begins, young men from the village gather at the bale banjar, or village meeting place, wearing the Balinese udeng and black-and-white checkered sarongs. They sit in a circle and sing joyfully while waiting for all the coconut shells to burn.

Then, the village leader gives a signal, and the young men begin the Fire War tradition. They throw burning coconut shells at each other, accompanied by the fast-paced music of the Balinese gamelan. The tradition ends when all the coconut shells have burned out completely.

If you are a tourist in Ubud, you can see this ceremony in Nagi Village. You can also watch the Fire War in other areas, such as in Unggahan Village, Buleleng. Although it may be slightly different from the one in Nagi Village, Ubud, the purpose is the same: to eliminate negative things while eradicating hatred and resentment within oneself.

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Have you seen one of the unique ceremonies in Bali?

Experience the magic of Bali by staying in Ubud! Book your villa for a deep dive into Bali’s captivating culture and nature. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by lush scenery, and discover authentic ceremonies in Bali like Nyepi, Melasti, and many others. Make your trip more than just a vacation—embrace the serenity and beauty of Ubud from your villa of choice. Book now with Ubud Villas Rental and start an unforgettable adventure experiencing the ceremonies in Bali!