Tag Archives: Hinduism
Experiencing Nyepi in Bali Posted by sasha on Mar 9, 2016
Today is the Balinese New Year, known as Hari Raya Nyepi in Indonesian. On this holiday, the Island of the Gods observes a day of silence – the airport is closed, no cars are allowed on the road aside for emergency vehicles, and local village police known as pecalang patrol the streets to ensure nobody…
Balinese Culture – Galungan and Kuningan Posted by sasha on Feb 25, 2016
Anyone who visits Bali will most likely see some kind of ceremony at some point in their trip. Whether at temples, at home, or in the village, it seems like there’s always some kind of ceremony going on. There are certain times of the year, however, when the ceremonies and processions are especially elaborate and…
Saraswati Day in Bali Posted by sasha on Nov 30, 2015
This past Friday, Bali celebrated Saraswati Day – a Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, creative arts, language, and wisdom. Typically, Saraswati is depicted as a beautiful woman with four hands – the front two are holding and playing a zither, while the rear two hold a holy book and prayer beads. She…
Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul Temples Posted by sasha on Oct 29, 2015
Take a short tour of three incredible Balinese temples in this short video. Visit Gunung Kawi Sebatu (which we found by accident), Gunung Kawi, and Tirta Empul. The beaches are great and all, but to really know Bali you have to explore the island’s vibrant culture, which is very much centered around its Hindu temples.
Explore the Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali Posted by sasha on Jul 29, 2015
Explore the Monkey Forest in Ubud, one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Bali. Check out the temples, carvings, fountains, and of course, the hundreds of Balinese long-tail monkeys.
Dieng Plateau Video – Arjuna Temple and Sikidang Crater Posted by sasha on May 21, 2015
“Our journey across Java rolls on with a motorbike trip up to the Dieng Plateau. Located 2,000 meters above sea level, it’s much cooler up here than in the lowlands. On the way there, we got a taste of things to come with stunning views off to the side. It was a long ride, with…
Nyepi: Bali’s Day of Silence Posted by sasha on Mar 19, 2015
In a place as popular and bustling as the island of Bali, can you imagine experiencing absolute silence? No noisy motorbikes whizzing by, no TV sets blaring, no gossiping Balinese women chatting away, no beer guzzling backpackers partying on the beach. Absolute silence. This happens once a year on Hari Raya Nyepi, a Hindu celebration for…