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13 Important Ceremonies in Bali You Should Know
Ceremonies in Bali are a key part of the island’s rich culture and spiritualtraditions.Â
Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali celebrates every aspect of life with colourful rituals, music, and dance.Â
These events offer a unique insight into Balinese life and are a must-see for visitors. Here’s a list of 13 important ceremonies in Bali that you should know about.
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1. Nyepi
Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, marks the Balinese New Year. This unique ceremony in Bali involves 24 hours of complete silence, with no lights, work, or travel allowed. The day is meant for self-reflection and meditation, making it one of the most profound and unique ceremonies in Bali.
2. Saraswati
Saraswati Day is a special time dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom. On this day, students and scholars in Bali show respect for their books and learning tools. Schools and libraries are decorated with offerings, and people pray for blessings in their studies.
3. Galungan
Galungan is one of the major ceremonies in Bali, celebrating the dharma over adharma or victory of good over evil. It’s believed that during this time, the spirits of ancestors visit the Earth. Temples are beautifully decorated, and families prepare special offerings to welcome these spirits. The whole island joins in prayers and feasts to honour this special occasion.
Read More: ​​Do’s and Don’t in Bali as a Tourist!
4. Tumpek Landep
Tumpek Landep is a day when the Balinese honour metal objects, like tools and vehicles. Families bless their cars, bikes, and other metal items, asking for safety and good fortune. This ceremony shows the importance of these objects in daily life.
5.Tumpek Kandang
Tumpek Kandang is another important ceremony in Bali, focusing on animals. Farmers and pet owners make offerings to their livestock and pets, asking for their health and well-being. This day highlights the close relationship between people and animals in Balinese culture.
6. Bali Arts Festival
The Bali Arts Festival is a month-long event that celebrates Balinese culture.It’s one of the most vibrant ceremonies in Bali, showcasing traditional music, dance, and crafts. Artists from across the island come together to perform, creating a lively atmosphere filled with cultural pride.
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7. Kuningan
Kuningan is the final day of the Galungan celebrations, which last for ten days. It’s a time when families honour their ancestors with special offerings and prayers. This ceremony in Bali is a beautiful way to remember and respect the spirits of loved ones.
8. Melasti
Melasti is a purification ceremony held before Nyepi. During this time, people take sacred objects from temples to the sea or other water sources to cleanse them. This ceremony in Bali is full of colour and life, with processions and offerings that prepare the community for the new year.
9. Pagerwesi
Pagerwesi, meaning “iron fence,” is a day when Balinese people focus on strengthening their spiritual and physical defences. Offerings are made to ask for protection from evil forces. This ceremony in Bali emphasizes the importance of guarding oneself against negative influences.
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10. Odalan
Odalan celebrates the anniversary of a temple’s founding. This ceremony in Bali can last several days and includes dances, music, and community gatherings. Offerings and prayers are made to honour the temple and its deities, bringing the community together.
11. Taman Kuliner - Ubud Food Festival
The Ubud Food Festival is a culinary event that showcases Balinese and international cuisine. It’s one of the newer ceremonies in Bali, but it’s gaining popularity. The festival includes cooking demonstrations, food tastings, and workshops, highlighting the rich culinary heritage of Bali.
12. Tumpek Uduh
Tumpek Uduh, also known as Tumpek Pengatag, is a ceremony in Bali that honours plants, especially those that provide food. Farmers make offerings to ensure a good harvest. This day shows the deep respect Balinese people have for nature and the earth’s bounty.
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13. Tumpek Wayang
Tumpek Wayang is dedicated to the art of wayang, or shadow puppetry. This ceremony in Bali honours puppeteers, Lord Iswara, and the spiritual significance of their performances. Offerings are made to ensure successful shows and to keep this important tradition alive.
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Explore the unique ceremonies in Bali and learn about the island’s rich cultural traditions.Â
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FAQ's
Nyepi, also known as the Day of Silence, is a unique ceremony in Bali that marks the Balinese New Year. It’s a day of complete silence and reflection, with no activities, lights, or travel allowed.
Saraswati Day is celebrated every 210 days in Bali. It’s a special day dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, where students and scholars honour their books and learning tools.
The Bali Arts Festival is a month-long event that showcases traditional Balinese music, dance, and crafts. It’s one of the most colourful and vibrant ceremonies in Bali, attracting artists and visitors from all over.
Galungan is a major ceremony in Bali that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It’s a time when the spirits of ancestors visit the Earth, and families honour them with offerings and prayers.
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Read what people say about Ubud Story Walks...
Ubud Story Walks is something different. It’s a fun, entertaining and refreshing way to delve into Ubud’s past. The knowledgeable guides place as much emphasis on how they tell a story as they do on what they’re sharing, which means all sorts of magical and mystifying details are revealed. I believe the best way to get to know a place is to walk its streets, which makes Ubud Story Walks one of the best ways to get to know Ubud.
Julia Winterflood
We had a fantastic time walking around the historical centre of Ubud! Even though we've been based in Bali for a few years, we'd never had an actual tour of some of Bali's most iconic landmarks and learning about the history was fascinating. Our guide was hilarious and full of information and it was a lovely and relaxing way to learn so much. The tour was early in the morning which was perfect timing as the temperature was still cool and we were able to witness the morning bustle of Ubud's famous markets. 10/10 would recommend!
Rahima Saikal
Vicky Ilankovan2024-12-13A great way to get to know Ubud, past and present. Win and Kelly were fantastic tour guide: knowledgeable, friendly, and open. I’d just landed in the country and this was the best welcome to immerse myself in some of the culture and historic as well as get a bit of a lay of the land. It was great to visit historic sites as well as the museum, and here fun stories. Bonus points for traditional sweets! Many thanks to both. Would definitely recommend this walking tour
LH Sim2024-12-10Joe was our guide for the Ubud Story Walk Tour : Past To Present. He is very professional and knowledgeable who has many interesting stories to share. During the tour, he showed pictures related to the history for our better understanding. Besides pictures, he also showed us coins that were used in the past. Apart from being proficient in conducting the tour, he is also a very caring guide as he offered us sunscreen, mosquito repellent prior to his tour and brought us snacks and water when we had our short break during the tour. Thank you Joe for the excellent commentary. Will definitely join the other Ubud Story Walks on my next trip to Bali.
Jessica HĂĽbner2024-12-05Ubud story walk past to presents was one of our favorite things to do in Ubud. Our guide Joe was super fun and very informative! Thank you Joe for the great time we had. I highly recommend this tour
Andrea Slosar2024-12-03I was on two tours and I really liked them. They are beautifully and comprehensively designed. Old black and white photos are an interesting addition. I was especially impressed by Windari with her communication skills and knowledge of the English language and Balinese culture. I wish the whole team much success in their future business and on discovering and solving pieces of the puzzle of Balinese culture.
Neeraj Goswami2024-12-01I went on two walking tours, loved both! The guides Ira and Win shared excellent insights on Balinese culture, history and traditions - helping me understand local context, beyond the usual pics on social media. I hope they add many more such interesting tours in the future!
Vinay Kashyap2024-11-26It's an essential part of a traveller's journey to know the history of a place he visits and my decision to choose Ubud Story walks was a good one. Joe, the guide took us through Ubud, the past to present and the walk was very informative. Its a good initiative done by a small team and I am happy to learn the efforts that the team is putting. Those who are coming to Ubud must consider opting for their guided tour.
tamara fields2024-11-26Enjoy a lovely morning with Ira as she expland the story of Bali, Ubud, Hinduism, the style of the houses and much more. Would recommend this walk to anyone that is interested in connected with the history and culture of bali while having someone who can answer your questions to have a deeper look into the life of the people living here.
David Hodgins2024-11-25We had a lovely and informative morning walk with Win. Her perfect pace, both physically and with information sharing , provided us with a rich understanding of Bali’s history and culture
Jill Boulter2024-11-22Great walking tour of Ubud. Ira was very knowledgable and spoke good English. Nice places to stop, little alleyways and quieter parts of Ubud. Very well looked after. Would recommend đź‘Ť.
Shafiga Elshan2024-11-15It was an amazing experience to learn more about Bali's history and culture. Our guide, Ira, was incredibly knowledgeable, positive, and caring. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!