List Of Holy Days Celebrated By Hindu-Balinese

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List Of Holy Days Celebrated By Hindu-Balinese.

Hindu-Balinese are known to have many holy day celebrations in their beliefs. There are holy days in Hinduism which are celebrated at the beginning of the year, mid, until the end of the year. Some are held once a year, some are done every six months according to the Balinese calendar. Some of them were held lively, but some were more solemn. The following is a list of holy days celebrated by Hindus.

1. Nyepi Day 

This is one of the Hindu-Balinese festivals which is widely known by the people of Indonesia to foreign countries. Nyepi is a new year celebration in the Isaka calendar, so the celebration is once a year between March or April. This holiday falls on the count of Tilem (month) Sasih Kesanga (9th month). In this new year, Hindus are required to carry out catur brata as seclusion, where people should not turn on the lights, travel, make noise, and have fun. The day before Nyepi, begins with the Melasti Ceremony, then Pecaruan or Tawur Kesanga. 


2. Galungan Day 

This holiday comes every 6 months precisely on Wednesday (Buda), Kliwon, Wuku Dungulan. The purpose of holding this Hindu religious holiday is to commemorate the victory of dharma (goodness) against adharma (evil). It’s also known as the universal day of worship (the birth of the universe), the people must worship Ida Sang Hyang Widi for the creation of the universe and give thanks. The distinctive features of this celebration are the establishment of penjor at the right side of the gate of the house, office or place of business. 


3. Kuningan 

Ten days after the Galungan, Hindus also celebrate the Kuningan day. Kuningan is also held every 6 months on Saturday (Saniscara), Kliwon, Wuku Kuningan. In this ceremony, the people prepare offerings or mebaten using yellow rice. They also prepare creations from the coconut leaf, using a sling containing fruit, yellow rice cone, and side dishes. It is some kind of supplies and tamiang as a symbol of shield. 


4. Saraswati Day 

Saraswati is a holy day for the coming of Science. On Saraswati Day, people will worship Goddess Saraswati who is believed to be a manifestation of God. The celebration falls on Saturday (Saniscara), Umanis, Wuku Watugunung, every 6 months. The day is also known as Sang Hyang Aji Saraswati's piodalan. The Goddess came down with knowledge so that it could be used wisely and on the right path. Goddess Saraswati herself is the magic of Lord Brahma who functions as the Supreme Creator. So it is hoped that new things will be created with science to help humans. 


5. Siwaratri Day 

Siwaratri day is believed by Hindus as a remission of sins. The peak of the holiday occurs at night, which coincides with Payogan of Lord Shiva. At that time, the people are expected to do asceticism, brata yoga, and meditation all day and night, without sleep and if possible without eating. Sin can not be removed, but in the evening of holy reflection at least the sins are forgiven. The people are cultivated to be able to mejagra (awake) all day and all night long. Siwaratri Day is celebrated once a year in accordance with the Saka Calendar, namely on Tilem Day (month of death) Sasih Kepitu (seventh month of death). 


6. Pagarwesi Day 

This Hindu religious holiday is held every 6 months on Wednesday (Buda), Kliwon, Wuku Sinta. At that time Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru, as a manifestation of God, was worshiped as a teacher of the universe. Derived from the word ‘pager’ which means fence or protector, and ‘wesi’ means iron. On this day, people can fence themselves with faith and self purity, so as to avoid darkness and be able to receive glory from God. Worship at home is carried out at the sanggah or pemerajan, and then proceed by going to the heaven's shrine. 


7. Full Moon Tilem 

Full Moon and Tilem (dead month) are coming every 30 and 29 days. These days were taken along with Sasih Isaka, as a benchmark for a good day in the implementation of the Yadnya Ceremony, both of which carried out piodalan at a temple. It is believed that Full Moon is payogan Sang Hyang Candra and Tilem as Payogan Sang Hyang Surya. On that day, people can ask for blessing and holiness. Like doing self-cleansing or melukat (meruwat), so that our spiritual bodies can be clean and free from negative aura.