After the silence and serenity of Nyepi, the rest of the month of March is stepping up the pace with more Balinese celebrations, charity events, workshops and Ubud-style festivals.
Hari Tumpek Kandang – Saturday 16 March
The Tumpek days are a special way for the Balinese to give thanks and blessings for different objects they use in their daily lives. Tumpek Kandang is dedicated to animals, livestock and pets. Offerings are made for successful farming and animal welfare and to pray for the harmony of the environment which contributes to human sustenance and happiness. On this day you will see some domestic animals adorned with tokens of love and appreciation, like cows and horses with conical hats made from coconut leaves and pigs with colourful fabrics around their necks and bellies. This is the day the animals are given the best food and care to give thanks for the work done by these animals or as the providers of food resources.
Solemen Balinese Full Moon Night Ceremony – 19 March
The Pyramids of Chi in Ubud is the venue for a charity event organised by the popular Solemen Foundation working tirelessly to improve the health and living conditions of the diffabled and disadvantaged people in Bali. It promises to be an enchanted evening with a Shamanic Fire Ceremony and a 1-hour Ancient Sound Healing in the sacred space of the Pyramid of the Sun while listening to the ethereal sounds of gongs, drums, didgeridoos and Tibetan bowls in this deeply meditative experience. Afterwards the Pyramids Café will serve up a tasty 3-course buffet meal while inspiring speakers and storytellers take to the stage. Local musicians Love Mafia, Rizal & The Rasendriya, Kai Mata and Cellomano, each with their own brand of jams, will get the crowd moving to a fitting crescendo.
You can continue with the good vibes in the Solemen Gong Puja Lock In. Guests have the option to stay overnight in the Pyramid of the Sun while banging gongs for those that are wronged. The evening will take you on a journey including durations of theta state and finally the deepest sleep you will have had in years. When the sun rises, the gongs will go silent. Guests have the opportunity at sunrise to use the grounds to practice yoga, meditate or simply take in the serene environment. The event will conclude with a healthy breakfast in the Pyramids Café at 8:00am. All proceeds go to Solemen. Tickets limited. Pre-book on the Solemen website.
When : Tuesday 19 March from 6.30 pm to 10 pm
Booking : www.solemen.org
Purnama Kedasa – Wednesday 20 March
This special full moon, the first after the Melasti purification pilgrimages, is considered highly significant among Balinese Hindus. They believe this is the day that god comes down on earth in order to bless its inhabitants. Known as ‘Purnama Kedasa’ the day coincides with many major temple festive rituals, attended by thousands of devotees. The famous mother temple, Besakih, holds a special ceremony known as ‘Betara Turun Kabeh’, inviting the gods and deified ancestors for their blessings.
Bali Spirit Festival – 24 to 31 March
The Bali Spirit festival needs no introduction. This annual event, celebrating all things yoga, sacred healing, song and dance, is happening for the 12th time. It’s all about joy and the mind-body-spirit connection. Some 150 presenters, yoga instructors, shamans, spirit gurus and practitioners will be convening from Bali and around the world. The festival will feature yoga, dance and sound sessions, workshops, meditation, concerts and performances held in various yoga centres in Ubud and around Bali. 1 to 7 day passes are available.For more information contact www.balispiritfestival.com
Celebrating Women: Afternoon Tea, Talks and Trends – 20 March
As a prelude to next month’s Kartini Day, honouring the empowerment of Indonesian women, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua will be hosting an afternoon tea time as an opportunity for women to connect over a series of talks ranging from career advice to life experiences and personal style and wellness. Key speakers will include Editorial Director Prana Group, Editor In Chief Femina, Petty S. Fatimah, TV host and Celebrity Runner, Melanie Putria, and Happy Salma, a renowned Indonesian actress and owner of an artisan jewelry brand. Former hotel executive and current fashion entrepreneur, Riana Bismarak, will also be sharing her secrets for success. Tea and treats will be served throughout the afternoon. There will also be fashion trends, beauty tips & make overs, a fun auction as well a lucky draw with some great prizes to be won. All funds raised will be donated to Bali Pink Ribbon, a non-profit foundation which provides support for breast cancer sufferers and conducts outreach programs to educate local women about the disease.
When : Wednesday 20 March from 2 pm to 5 pm
Where : The Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali – Kawasan Pariwisata
Tickets : IDR 250,000 net per person.
Contact : www.westin.com/bali or www.facebook.com/ westinbali and www.instagram.com/westinbali.
Rotary Canggu Dinner – 30 March
The Rotary Club Canggu Bali is having its first annual gala fundraising event on the evening of 30 March at the Tugu hotel. The event is partially sponsored by Tugu and will benefit the Lombok rebuilding projects undertaken by the Rotary Club Canggu. The club has already built 45 houses with donations from Sister Clubs and private donors. They are also bringing backpacks full of supplies to schools in Lombok and are training cocoa and coffee farmers how to adapt to climate change, to become organically certified, and ship internationally. All funds will be 100% allocated for charity as per Rotary Rules and Guidelines.
When : Saturday 30 March at 6 pm
Where : The Tugu Hotel, Jl Batubolong, Canggu
Tickets : IDR 950,000
Contact : getintouch@rotarycanggu.org
Charcoal For Children Workshop – 30 to 31 March and 6 April
CHARCOAL FOR CHILDREN, a social initiative program created by CushCush gallery in Denpasar, combines artists, creative communities and children from different backgrounds, to jointly create collaborative works that are full of creativity. It is an upcycling program that processes off-cuts materials around us into valuable goods and useful everyday objects. The next 2 workshops are led by Benson Saw & Design Stream (designer based in Kuala Lumpur). The sessions are free and open to children from 10 to 14 years old.
When : Saturday 30 March from 10am to 1pm
: Sunday 31 March from 10am to 1pm
Where : CushCush Gallery, Jl Teuku Umar, Gg Rajawali No.1A Denpasar
Contact : For rsvp : Nike +62 896-6477-2657 (WhatsApp only)
By Ines Wynn
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indorat2@gmail.com to list an upcoming event.
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