CALENDAR OF EVENTS – JANUARY 2014

Today marks the first day of the New Year 2014. It is celebrated in Indonesia as a national holiday therefore all banks, government offices and some commerce will be closed.

January 1st – Dark Moon – Hari Tilem Sasih Kenam
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.

January 14th – Islamic Holiday – Maulid Nabi Muhammad
Today is a national holiday to celebrate the Islamic Prophet Muhammad’s birthday therefore all banks, government offices and some commerce will be closed.

January 15th – Full Moon – Hari Purnama Sasih Kepitu
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.


January 29th – Hari Raya Siwaratri
This Balinese Hindu celebration of Siwaratri is held on the dark moon of the seventh month based on the Balinese lunar calendar system. This holy day is devoted to the God Siwa, the destroyer. This is a night spent in meditation for the welfare of the world, in order that God Siwa will bestow a pardon for all sins. Temples will be full of followers all night long, reciting prayers or religious stories, chatting with friends and fighting off sleep. Students will celebrate at their school temples under the supervision of their teachers, recite prayers, read Holy manuscripts, or simply chat with other students.

January 30th – Dark Moon – Hari Tilem Sasih Kepitu
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.

January 31st – Tahun Baru Imlek 2565 – Lunar Chinese New Year
This is the Chinese New Year, seeing the end to that of the black water snake, and welcoming in that of the green wood horse – very revered by the Chinese and believed to be an active lunar New Year for us all this 2014. 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 therefore all banks, government offices and some commerce will be closed.

Please note: Bali Plus and Trijaya Dewata cannot be held responsible for any changes or cancellations that may occur in the future.