Sunday, April 3, 2011

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - APRIL 2011

April 2nd – Hari Tumpek Wayang
This auspicious day on the Balinese calendar is devoted to the worship of Sanghyang Iswara, Lord of Puppeteers. This holiday is the most important day for owners of leather puppets and puppeteers when they are taken from their box (keropak), and blessed. It is considered unlucky if a child were to be born on this day.

April 3rd – Dark Moon - Tilem Sasih Kedasa
The Balinese adhering to the Hindu Dharma religion will celebrate ‘Tilem’ in temple ceremonies, which are mostly held in major temples and family shrines around the island of Bali. On this day Hindus make offerings to the Gods, placed on the ground at the entrance of each housing compound. The aim is to beg God’s grace; so that one’s dark thoughts will be guided by Him.

April 17th – Full Moon - Purnama Sasih Jiyestha
The full moon (which has particular importance to the Balinese Hindus) falls on this day and ceremonies are held throughout the Hindu temples all across Bali. The Balinese that adhere to the Hindu Dharma religion will take offerings of food, fruit and flowers to the temple to be blessed by a priest. It is the essence of theses offerings that will be enjoyed by the deities. The Balinese themselves are then blessed by performing various rituals using holy water, incense
smoke, petals and rice grains.

April 22nd – National Holiday – Good Friday
This Christian religious holiday precedes Easter Sunday. Please note that all banks and government offices will be closed today.

April 24th – Easter Sunday
Many restaurants, hotels and businesses around the island will be celebrating today most notably for children with chocolate eggs and Easter egg/bunny hunts.

April 23rd – Hari Raya Saraswati

This day is devoted to God’s Manifestation as Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature. She rules the intellectual and creative realm, and is the patron goddess of libraries and schools. Balinese Hindus believe that knowledge is an essential medium to achieve the goal of life as a human being, and so honour her. She is also celebrated because she succeeded in taming the wandering and lustful mind of her consort, Brahma, who was preoccupied with the goddess of material existence, Shatarupa. On this day no one is allowed to read or write, and offerings are made to the lontar (palm-leaf manuscripts), books, and shrines.

April 27th – Hari Raya Pagerwasi
The name literally means ‘iron fence’, on which day ceremonies and prayers are held for strong mental and spiritual defense in welcoming the Galungan holiday. It is always held four days after Hari Raya Saraswati to empower the learning and wisdom bestowed. Bali will be very colourful and people will be coming to and from the temples for most of the day so please refrain from honking on the roads.

April 30th – May 7th - The Yak Canggu Tennis Classic III
First day of games at the Canggu Club but open to the public to watch at the Tennis Village & Champagne Bar, for all categories of Men’s & Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles Amateurs & Open Divisions – now entering its third year. If you would like to register to play then please contact Tennis Centre - Canggu Club, Pantai Berawa – Bali. 0361 844 6385 or info@theyakmag.com before Tuesday 26th April. Players Cocktail Party on Friday 29th April at 6.30pm.

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