Bali Ceremonies & Festivals: Nyepi, Galungan & More

Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu New Year based on the Saka calendar, is unlike any other New Year celebration in the world. Instead of fireworks and parties, the entire island of Bali goes completely silent for 24 hours. From 6:00 AM on Nyepi day to 6:00 AM the following morning, no one -- including tourists -- may leave their accommodation, no lights are turned on, no fires are lit, no entertainment is played, and the airport closes entirely. Even internet service is restricted. The philosophy behind Nyepi is that by making the island appear uninhabited, the evil spirits (buta kala) that were lured out the night before will think the island is empty and leave. The day before Nyepi is Pengrupukan, a spectacular evening of noise, fire, and enormous papier-mache monster statues called ogoh-ogoh that are paraded through the streets by torchlight. Villages spend weeks building these elaborate demon figures, which can stand several meters tall, and the parades are accompanied by gamelan music, firecrackers, and joyous chaos. The ogoh-ogoh are then symbolically burned or destroyed, representing the vanquishing of evil forces. On Nyepi day itself, the contrast is absolute. The streets are empty, the normally buzzing motorbike traffic is absent, and the only sound is birdsong and the distant crash of waves. Pecalang (traditional village security guards) patrol the streets to ensure compliance. Hotels allow guests to move within their grounds but ask that lights be kept dim and noise minimal. Nyepi falls on the day after the new moon of the spring equinox, typically in March or April. In 2026, Nyepi falls on March 19. For many travelers, Nyepi is a profoundly peaceful experience -- a day of genuine stillness in a world that rarely stops.

Galungan and Kuningan form Bali's most important holiday period, a 10-day celebration based on the 210-day Pawukon calendar that marks the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). Galungan falls on the Wednesday of the 11th week of the Pawukon cycle, occurring approximately every 210 days rather than on a fixed Gregorian calendar date. During Galungan, the ancestral spirits of deceased relatives are believed to visit their former homes, and the Balinese prepare elaborate offerings and prayers to welcome them. The most visible sign of Galungan is the penjor -- tall, curved bamboo poles decorated with coconut leaves, fruit, cakes, and ornamental weavings that line every road and driveway across the island. These elegant arched poles symbolize Mount Agung (the abode of the gods) and the flowing bounty of nature, and they transform Bali's streets into stunning ceremonial corridors. Families dress in their finest traditional clothing (kebaya for women, udeng headcloth and sarong for men) and visit their family temples, village temples, and larger regional temples to pray and make offerings. Kuningan falls 10 days after Galungan and marks the departure of the ancestral spirits back to the heavens. Special yellow rice offerings (nasi kuning) are prepared, and families make final prayers of gratitude. The period between Galungan and Kuningan is considered highly auspicious, and many additional ceremonies take place. Barong and Rangda dance performances are held in villages, and the atmosphere across the island is festive and joyous. For visitors, the Galungan-Kuningan period is one of the most visually spectacular times to be in Bali. However, be aware that many Balinese staff take time off to return to their home villages, so some tourist services may operate with reduced hours.

Pagerwesi, which translates to 'iron fence,' falls on the Wednesday of the first week of the Pawukon calendar, exactly 210 days before the next Galungan. This ceremony is dedicated to strengthening spiritual protection and fortifying the mind against negative influences. The Balinese pray at family and village temples for inner strength, wisdom, and the ability to resist temptation and spiritual corruption. Pagerwesi is particularly important for the Brahmana (priestly) caste but is observed by all Balinese with prayers, offerings, and temple visits. Saraswati Day falls on the Saturday immediately before Pagerwesi and is dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, learning, and the arts. On this day, books, manuscripts, and libraries are honored with offerings, and it is forbidden to read or write. Schools and universities place offerings on textbooks, students pray for academic success, and lontar (palm-leaf manuscripts) kept in temples and family compounds receive special attention. The celebration of Saraswati reflects the deep Balinese respect for learning and the belief that knowledge is sacred. The evening before Saraswati, called Banyu Pinaruh, involves ritual bathing and purification, often at the beach or a sacred spring. Both Pagerwesi and Saraswati are quieter celebrations compared to Galungan or Nyepi, but they provide an authentic glimpse into the spiritual rhythm of daily Balinese life. You will notice increased activity at temples and schools, and the streets will be decorated with simpler offerings.

Every one of Bali's estimated 20,000 temples celebrates its own anniversary, called odalan, based on the 210-day Pawukon calendar. This means that on any given day in Bali, dozens of temples across the island are holding their odalan celebrations, making it almost certain you will encounter one during your visit. An odalan typically lasts three days and is a community affair organized by the local banjar (neighborhood council). Preparations begin days in advance, with women creating elaborate offerings (banten) that can tower over a meter high -- intricate arrangements of fruit, flowers, rice cakes, and palm-leaf decorations carried on their heads in procession to the temple. Men prepare the temple grounds, erect temporary bamboo structures, and arrange the gamelan orchestra. During the ceremony itself, the temple comes alive with color, sound, and sacred energy. Priests conduct prayers (puja) with holy water (tirta) and incense, devotees dressed in white or traditional formal attire fill the temple courtyards, gamelan music provides a constant atmospheric backdrop, and the air is thick with the fragrance of incense and frangipani flowers. Many odalan celebrations include traditional dance performances -- Legong, Barong, or shadow puppet (wayang kulit) shows -- performed not for tourist audiences but as religious offerings to the temple deities. To find an odalan near you, ask your hotel staff or homestay host -- they will almost certainly know of one happening within a short drive. If you attend, wear a sarong and sash, sit quietly, and observe. You may be invited to receive tirta (holy water) sprinkled on your head and pressed rice grains (bija) placed on your forehead and temples -- accept graciously as it is a blessing.

The Balinese ceremonial calendar operates on two systems simultaneously. The Pawukon calendar runs in 210-day cycles and determines the dates of major festivals like Galungan, Kuningan, Saraswati, and Pagerwesi. The Saka lunar calendar, similar to the Hindu calendar used in India, follows the phases of the moon and determines Nyepi (New Year) as well as monthly full moon (Purnama) and new moon (Tilem) ceremonies. On every Purnama (full moon), Balinese Hindus visit their family temples and village temples to pray and make offerings. Full moon ceremonies are particularly significant at sea temples like Tanah Lot and mountain temples like Besakih, where large numbers of worshippers gather in white ceremonial dress. The energy at temples during Purnama is noticeably different from regular days -- more devotees, more elaborate offerings, and a heightened sense of spiritual purpose. New moon (Tilem) is considered a time of spiritual vulnerability when negative forces are stronger, and protective prayers and offerings are made. Certain Tilem nights, particularly Siwa Ratri (the night of Shiva, usually in January), involve all-night meditation and prayer. Beyond these monthly observances, the intersection of the Pawukon and Saka calendars creates additional auspicious and inauspicious days. The Balinese consult with priests or check traditional calendar charts (tika) before scheduling important events like weddings, cremations, building a house, or starting a business. Tumpek days -- five special Saturdays within each 210-day Pawukon cycle -- honor specific aspects of creation: Tumpek Landep (metal objects and technology), Tumpek Uduh (plants and trees), Tumpek Kuningan (shadow puppets), Tumpek Kandang (animals), and Tumpek Wayang (traditional performances). Understanding that the Balinese live within a complex web of overlapping ceremonial calendars helps explain why ceremony is not an occasional event but a constant, woven daily presence in island life.