Adresse: Pura Taman Sumerta, Jeroan Taman, Denpasar
It doesn’t take much to understand why Bali is considered a magic island. The profound devotion of the Balinese people to the Gods, to whom the women make daily votive offerings, marks the time of every passing day. Whether floral compositions, food or incense, every corner of the island bears the colours and fragrances of these humble gifts - from the shops to the homes, on the sidewalks, in front of the temples, in niches and, of course, in the numerous holy places. The men, with traditional clothing and swathes of cloth around their heads, chant songs and lead the numerous religious ceremonies and processions throughout the days of the Balinese people. Whether a matrimony or a funeral, any occasion is reason to dance and celebrate with sounds, song and Hindu rituals where tourists are quite welcome. The amazement never ends in discovering the oddities and beauty that pervades every corner of the island, quite small but full of temples - twenty-thousand approximately - but also places for meditation among the island’s volcanoes, lakes, cascades, mountains, beaches and the houses themselves where there is almost always a space dedicated to prayer. One example of the many holidays is Nyepi Day, the Balinese New Year, a holy day which occurs on a different date each year, during which, for 24 hours, absolute silence reigns on the island. No activities are allowed and everybody meditates on their relation with others, life, the future and their role in the world.
It is one of the sacred dances of the of Bali Island, with a mystical meaning. The ceremony is intended to ask for salvation from a catastrophe or epidemic. The Sanghyang Dedari is different from other Balinese dances, because Sanghyang requires the dancer's body to be possessed.
Chinese New Year welcomes the arrival of the Year of the Dragon
Although predominantly Hindu, Bali is home to an important Chinese community which on the occasion of the New Year organizes uniquely aesthetic events with a mix of Chinese traditions, Balinese charm and fusion cuisine.
From a traditional drink to a true national symbol, arak is so important in Bali that it is used not only on intimate and less official occasions such as moments of joy in the family and in conversations between friends, but also in religious ceremonies.