CALENDAR OF EVENTS - FEBRUARY 2013

4TH FEBRUARY – USABA KARO - TRADITIONAL VILLAGE OF TENGANAN PEGRINGSINGAN
Meeting and rituals held at Pura Besakacalled 'Neduh' finishing with tradiotnal 'tabuh rah' or cock fighting.

7TH FEBRUARY – USABA KARO
The second day of this tradiotnal ceremony in this sacred Balinese village as above, today at Pura Batan Cagi Neduh, again with cock fighting as the ceremonial climax.

10TH FEBRUARY - DARK MOON - TILEM KEWULU
The Balinese adhering to the Hindu Dharma religion will celebrate 'Tilem' in temple ceremonies, which are mostly held in every major temple 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 illuminated by Him.

10TH FEBRUARY - TAHUN BARU IMLEK 2564 – LUNAR CHINESE NEW YEAR
This is the Chinese New Year, seeing the end to that of the fierce dragon, and welcoming in that of the charming snake – very revered by the Chinese and believed to be a very 'clearing' lunar New Year for us all this 2013. Many restaurants and bars will be celebrating with performances and special menus around the island, so do check out the various programs and reserve ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Today is a national holiday (and a Sunday) therefore all banks, government offices and some commerce will be closed.

14TH FEBRUARY – VALENTINES DAY
The international day of love… a day to be romantic or to propose if it's on the cards. Choose to share a beautiful meal at one of the many stunning, seductive venues on offer. This is a day to get close to those dearest and nearest. Alternatively, one of the many day spas listed in this edition offer pampered packages for two to get the intimate mood flowing.

25TH FEBRUARY – FULL MOON - PURNAMA SASIH KESANGA
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 blesses by the 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.