CALENDAR OF EVENTS – NOVEMBER 2013

November 2nd – Balinese HIndu Celebration – Hari Raya Kuningan
This day is always celebrated 10 days after Galungan and on a Saturday marking the end of the festivities, sending deified ancestors back to the heavens. There will be many colourful temple ceremonies, with the Balinese suitably attired coming to and fro, according plenty of photo opportunities. Please be patient when on the roads.

November 3rd – Dark Moon – Hari Tilem Sasih Kapat Puncak
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.

November 5th – Public Holiday – Islamic New Year 1435 Hijriah
Today marks the first month of the Islamic New Year and calendar, also known as 1 Muharram 1435. It is celebrated in Indonesia as a national holiday therefore all banks, government offices and some commerce will be closed.

November 7th – 8th – The 6th Bali Democracy Forum
The Forum t the BTDC in Nusa Dua, Bali, brings together Heads of State and Foreign Ministers from countries across Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific. Last year’s Bali Democracy Forum attracted delegates from 80 countries and international organizations with 11 heads of state. The forum discusses issues such as promoting synergy between democracy and development in Asia with prospects for regional cooperation.

November 17th – Full Moon – Hari Purnama Sasih Kelima Puncak
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. The Balinese themselves are then blessed by performing various rituals using holy water, incense smoke, petals and rice grains.

November 24th – 28th – World Culture Development Forum
The World Culture in Development Forum (WCF) 2013 is the first in a planned series of annual international meetings in Bali, Indonesia that will bring together key stakeholders to discuss vital issues in culture and development. As the world is now an unprecedented era of globalization, there are complex global trends such as borderless travel, mass media, Internet and a worldwide 24/7news cycle that are affecting many national and local cultures. These complexities bring both challenges and opportunities and raise concerns over the fate of local cultures that can be so profoundly affected by the impact of globalization. www.wcf-bali.com.

November 27th – Hari Kajeng Kliwon Pahang
Kajeng Kliwon falling on the dark phase of the moon is called Kajeng Kliwon Pahang, which is believed to be a lucrative day for spiritual activities. Kajeng Kliwon is such a sacred day that many Balinese pay visit to holy men: shamans or priests. In so doing they seek to acquire holy water or medication. Some prefer to go to temples to pray, meditate or conduct ascetic practice to gain certain psychic power. Kajeng Kliwon is often associated with anything mystical and psychic in nature.

Nusa Dua Fiesta 2013 (date TBA)
The Nusa Dua Fiesta (NDF) – once known as the Nusa Dua Festival – will be held again this November (no exact date at time of going to press), within the Nusa Dua Complex operated by the Bali Tourism Development Corporations (BTDC).
Focusing on music, arts, marine conservation and culinary skills, the Nusa Dua Fiesta highlights include: Bali Culinary, Fun Bike, Science Film Festival, Save Nusa Dua Coral Reef, Underwater Photo Exhibition, Sustainable Seafood Workshop, Traditional Arts Performances and Indonesian Music Expo (IMEX) featuring internationally and locally renowned world musicians. www.balinusadua.com

Source: Bali Plus and Trijaya Dewata