Galungan and Kuningan

Galungan and Kuningan Day
	Galungan and Kuningan Day is the Hindu red-letter day commemorative by Balinese Hindu every six-month. Hindu people especially in Bali very enthusiastic welcome their holidays because on this day they do the pray as Balinese Hindu worshiping to the infinite (Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa) supremacy as this world creator. Galungan Day on 1st January 2012 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 on 18th December 2012 The Kuningan day celebration is usually held 10 days after Galungan. It is technically the last day of the Galungan celebration. All the decorations that had been used for Galungan will be removed after Kuningan day ends. The Kuningan day is the time for commemoration as the ancestors return to the heavens and at least until Galungan comes around again, 210 days later. Penjor Penjor is the symbol of Mount Agung and also the symbol of the presence of the God. It is made from a long bamboo pole with its curved end, and decorated with rice paddies, corn on the cob, coconut, cakes, a piece of white or yellow cloth, etc. This as a sign for reminding the human that everything we enjoy in this world is from the God. Penjor is usually made on Penampahan Galungan (a day before the Galungan Day). It is the symbol of Mount Agung, and also as gratitude for the agricultural produce. Mount Agung is the symbol of holiness as a connection to Mount Semeru, Mount Himalaya, or Mahameru, which is believed as the place where Bhatara Putra Jaya stays.

Source: http://driversbali.com/galungan-ceremony.html

Beach : Kuta

Kuta Beach

Everything you Need to Know about Kuta Beach

Kuta, located in southern Bali, was a sleepy fishing village half a century ago, but it has slowly expanded since the 1960s after its long sandy beach was discovered by travellers from Asia and wandering surfers from nearby Australia.
Nowadays Kuta is quite busy and packed with varied accommodation from four-star hotels to budget hostels. Cheap bars and clubs make it a party centre, while local and international restaurants offer great dining. Kuta also offers shopping aplenty, from the chic beachfront ‘Discovery Shopping Mall’ and Kuta Square to the souvenir shops lining Jalan Kartika Plaza, Jalan Pantai Kuta and up to Legian and Seminyak – all within easy walking distance.
Kuta has its own beauty and attractions and remains one of Indonesia’s major tourist destinations; particularly during the peak season from July to August and the holiday season for Christmas and New Year: at these times Kuta will be fully booked by a local younger crowd, Asian travellers and Australian teenagers who are intent on enjoying an affordable vacation in Bali.





Source : http://www.bali-indonesia.com/kuta-beach/

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple

A calm place to get refreshing

 

Uluwatu Temple is a Hindu temple set on the cliff bank in south part of Bali Peninsula. It is one of Sad Kahyangan Temple in Bali (six big groups of Bali Temples), located in Pecatu Village, Sub district of South Kuta, and Badung Regency or about 25 Km southerly part of Denpasar town. It is situated on the coral reef sordid to sea about 80 meters above the sea level. It is featured by a small dry forest which is mostly called by Alas Kekeran (interdict forest) which is belong to the temple and dwelt by a lot of monkeys and other animal. Name of Uluwatu was come from the word Ulu meaning the head and Watu meaning stone. Therefore Uluwatu Temple mean the temple built in tip of coral reef.

Uluwatu Temple in Story

In the right and left of temple building or Pelinggih Ida Bagus Ratu Jurit located in complex of Uluwatu Temple, there are two stone mangers that look like a boat. When both of it are united, hence it's look similar to sarcophagus, the famous stone from megalithic era culture. There is archaeology omission coming from 16 centuries in firm of arch or winged entrance gate. Winged entrance gate is one of the scarce archaeology omissions. Winged entrance gate that is existing in Uluwatu Temple (a period of its making) can be compared with the same one located in mosque complex in Sendangduwur Village, Lamongan, East Java. The period of its making is relevant with the year Candrasengkala found at this inscription. Candrasengkala founded in the mosque is written by the wording Gunaning Salira Tirta Hayu meaning year 1483 Saka or 1561 Masehi.

If the sarcophagus that existing in Dalem Jurit complex area represents the artifact, hence Uluwatu Temple represents the place sanctified since era of megalithic culture (About 500 S.M). In papyrus of Usana Bali mentioned that Mpu Kuturan (The Hindu Priest who spread out the Hinduism in Bali) had built a lot of temple in this island and one of them Uluwatu Temple. In papyrus of Dwijendra Tatwa has been elaborated that Mpu Kuturan had visited this temple twice those are:

1. The first visit when he conducts the Tirtha Yatra (the journey to visit the holy places). His heart had jolted and heard a soul whisper that place good for worshiping God when arrive in Uluwatu. On that time, he chose this place as a place for Ngeluwur (re of soul /dead leave without body to return to the origin/moksa). Pursuant to the consideration then he set mind to build the Parhayangan or extend the building of Uluwatu Temple which there have previously. When Mpu Kuturan extend the building of Uluwatu Temple, he build hostel as residence and then the ex- the hostel building is used by the local people as a shrine named the Gong Hill Temple (Pura Bukit Gong). The building of Parhyangan in Uluwatu Temple is done by Mpu Kuturan in the early 16 century after he lifted to become the Purohita (priest of king adviser) from king of Dalem Waturenggong commander in the year 1460-1552 .
2. Mpu Kuturan on his second visit has reached the nature Moksa. OnTuesday of Kliwon Medangsya (Balinese Calendar), it was witnessed by a fisherman, his name Ki Pasek Nambangan, he looked the flash with very bright light step into the space called Ngeluwur.

Implicit at papyrus Padma Bhuwana that Uluwatu Temple draw in the direction that is located in Southwest functioning to worship the Rudra God, one of the god in nine god (Dewata Nawa Sanga). Rudra God is the Deity Siwa as Pemralina or return to provenance. In this papyrus also mention that Uluwatu Temple is the Kahyangan World worshiped by entire Hindu people. Since this area is opened for public, it is visited by many people from all over the world because it has beautiful panorama with spectacular sunset and stunning view of Indian Ocean and deep the cliff bank. It is the perfect to visit in Bali.

How to Visit Uluwatu Temple?

It is very easy to locate the Uluwatu Temple where you can reach it by any kind of vehicles. There is a good road passing Jimbaran countryside and go the one way to this temple. Uluwatu is one of the most beautiful Hindu Temple and famous in Bali Island. You can do simple to join the Uluwatu Temple Tour with Bali Star Island to discover the whole story of this site and you also have a change to have Uluwatu Tour Package as your preferable choice on your vacation in Bali.

Uluwatu Photo Gallery

You will discover the most beautiful part of Uluwatu Temple on Photo Gallery where you can enlarge it to see it closely.

Side of Uluwatu Cliff Bank	Uluwatu Temple Overview	Uluwatu Temple Entrance Step
Couple of Monkey at Uluwatu Temple	Moment of Monkey at Uluwatu Temple	Beautiful Sunset at Uluwatu Temple

Source : http://www.balistarisland.com/Bali-Interesting-Place/Uluwatu-Temple.htm