Around Bali

The first Hindus arrived on Bali as early as 100 BC, so it's easy to understand why the island has had some time to develop its own culture. Divided among a number of ruling rajas, occasionally batting off invaders from Java to the west and making forays to conquer Lombok to the east, the north island was finally captured by the Dutch in a series of brutal wars from 1846 to 1849. Southern Bali (Denpasar area) was not conquered until 1906 and eastern Bali (Klungkung) did not surrender until 1908. In both 1906 and 1908 many Balinese chose death over disgrace and fought en masse until the bitter end, often walking straight into Dutch cannons and gunfire. This "fight to the death" is known as puputan. Victory was bittersweet as the images of the puputan highly tarnished the Dutch in the international community. Perhaps to make up for this, the Dutch did not make the Balinese enter into a forced cultivation system as had in Java, and instead tried to promote Balinese culture through their policy of "Baliseering" or the "Balinization of Bali".
Bali joined the new republic of Indonesia in 1948. In 1965, after the failed 1965 coup d'etat, allegedly backed by the Communist Party (PKI), state-instigated, anti-communist violence spread across Indonesia. In Bali it has been said that the rivers ran red with the reprisal killings of suspected Communists — estimates of toll vary from 50,000 to 200,000. Most estimates say 80,000 - or 5-8% of the population at the time.
The current chapter in Bali's history began in the seventies when intrepid hippies and surfers discovered Bali's beaches and waves, and tourism soon became the biggest income earner. Despite the shocks of the terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005, the magical island continues to draw crowds and Bali's culture remains as spectacular as ever (fr wikipedia, history of Bali).

Most stories in around bali. A patron of arts, Bali Agung Gusti Sideman took greatness in supervising the design and construction of his palace in Klungkung - an example of Hindu-Balinese architecture. Kertha Gosa bali architecture took shape of a mandala - a Buddhist influence domed-mountain shape. Mandalas help people further their enlightment; pure forces of good come from a mountain. Kertha Gosa’s first major function pertained to court of law and justice. The Kertha Gosa bali pavilion was the meeting place for the raja (Hindu prince) and gods Brahman judges (Kerthas) to discuss issues of law and human affairs. Whether or not the king instructed his court painters to decorate the ceiling at the time Kertha Gosa was built is impossible to know. Moreover, that impossible to know whether or not the story of Bhima Swarga was the first painting in the pavilion. The earliest and only record of paintings at Kertha Gosa dates from the year 1842 and is written in a lontar book (a book that holds prayers, epics and history of Bali)
Balinese house (kuren) consists of a family or a number of related families living within one enclosure, praying at a common bali family temple, with one gate and one kitchen. The square plot of land (pekarangan) balinese in which the various units. of the house stand is entirely surrounded by a wall of whitewashed mud, protected from rain erosion by a crude roofing of thatch.

The Balinese feel uneasy when they sleep without a wall, as, for instance, the servants must in the un walled Western-style houses. The gate of a well-to-do family can be an imposing affair of brick and carved stone, but more often it consists of two simple pillars of mud supporting a thick roof of thatch. In front of the gate on either side 'are two small shrines (apit lawang) for offerings, of brick and stone, or merely two little niches excavated in the mud of the gate, while the simplest are made of split bamboo. Directly behind the ' doorway is a small wall aling aling that screens off. The house Balinese of a poor family is called pekarangan, that of a nobleman is a jero and a gods Brahmana's is a griya, but these differences are mostly in the name, the quality of the materials employed, the workmanship, and of course in the larger -and richer family temple. The fundamental, plan is based on the same rules for everyone. Only the great palace (puri) of the local ruling. prince is infinitely more elaborate, with a lily pond, compartments for the Radja's brothers and his countless wives, a great temple divided into three courts, and even special sections for the preservation of the corpses and for the seclusion of " impure " palace women during the time of menstruation. (fr: houseofbali.blogspot.com / History of the Bali House Bali Stories)

Bali is an island that is full of uniqueness which distinguishes it with other islands in Indonesia.
As written in the Purana Sada Temple of Kapal Traditional Village in Bali, it is said that when the continents and various island had been created on earth, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi/Bathara Pasupati (God), summoned the Gods to gather together on top of Mount Mahameru, Bali.Then Sang Hyang Pasupati uttered to the nine Gods occupying the nine direction, to the six Gods (Sad Winayaka), to the group four Gods (Catur Dewa), to God Rsis, to God Dragon, Gods from Trinayaka group and to Gods in the universe, to make a new island known as Bali Island.

Bathara Pasupati explained to all Bali Gods, that island that is going to be created is a special island for the shrine of all Bali Gods with the leader Bhatara Mahadeva/Putranjaya. In this island, all Gods will be worshipped and dipuja (honored) till the end of the period. In this island the Gods will be awarded with big offerings by the dwellers. The Gods, is then, known as the name of Bali.
When this island was created, the God Dragon Sang Hyang Ananta Boga entered the bottom layer of the earth, and then this big dragon became the support of Bali Island.
After that, Sang Hyang Kurma Gni (turtle) entered the earth and became the foundation of it, and Badawang Nala manifested himself as the bottom layer of the earth of Bali. Sang Hyang Kala, then, created the soil and sky of Bali which is bright with colorful shine.Finally, a beautiful island was created with the shine of extraordinary holiness. The Gods were very delightful with their successful works, and then selected their everlasting shrines at the new earth (banua bahru) named Bali. From here it is disclosed that Bali is the place of Gods (the Island of Gods). They said this island is the last paradise, when foreigners came for the first time to Bali.

Many centuries ago, after receiving a spiritual sign from the Gods, a Holy Man named Maharsi Markandhya embarked upon his journey of enlightenment which started in Central Java and took him as far eastwards as the island of Bali. Throughout this journey, Maharsi affirmed his spiritual direction and goals by performing many acts of meditation, through which he received a continuously clear sign to continue his journey further east , finally to arrive at Mount Agung in Bali.

Upon his arrival at Mount Agung, Maharsi lost a large number of his disciples due to his oversight in neglecting to carry out an important religious ceremony. Following this, Maharsi returned to Java Island and gathered more disciples from various Hindu sects. Upon his second arrival at Mount Agung, Bali, Maharsi carried out the required ceremonies to announce his arrival. These ceremonies took place at Pura Basukihan, Bali later know as Pura Besakih, Bali or Besakih Temple, The mother temple of Bali, which remains the most significant and holy temple in Bali to this day.

After receiving further divine direction, Maharsi left Bali Besakih Temple and continued his travels until he reached a magnificent north-south lying hill that was surrounded by two clear flowing rivers, giving the impression that the hill was being guarded by two dragons. This hill is today named Gunung Lebah and two rivers are named the Oos Rivers. A Bali Temple named Pura Gunung Lebah is also situated here as a divine place to worship the Gods, the whole area is called Tjampuhan, Bali which in Balinese means “the meeting of two rivers”.

“Everyone who has stepped onto this ground comes under Spirit of The One Good God who has made it and the people on it. All fell it, some more than others. Some deny it, or forget it, or misunderstand and misuse this feeling. But all are touched and moved to some reaction or action. It is this which has made the Balinese what they are.”
– Ida Bagus Mantra –

The island of Bali is an island of legend, a place that has a profound effect on visitor who takes time to wonder at the marvelous cycle of ceremony and religion that permeates every aspect of Balinese life.

From the daily rituals of small offering after the cooking of each meal, to the twice monthly ceremonies celebrating the arrival and departure of the moon, the Balinese calendar revolves around the Hindu religion.

Each year of the Saka calendar lasts 210 days, culminating in the Day of Silence, or Nyepi, when the streets are deserted and all people – residents, visitors and holidaymakers alike – are required to stay indoors.

On a Grander scale, celebrations to appease the gods or to drive out demons are held at regular birthday intervals, ranging from the 210 days of the wuku year, 360 days on a lunar cycle and upwards in annual increments to the greatest ritual of them all, the Eka Dasa Rudra purification of the universe, which is scheduled only once every 100 years.

The temple is the focus of rural life with every community having at least three temples at the head, centre and foot of the village, arranged according to the direction of the holy mountain, Gunung Agung.

This layout is mirrored in every family compound, where the ancestral temples are located in the cornet nearest to Bali’s largest peak, with the buildings arranged in a traditional pattern and constructed according to the physical measurements of the head of the household.

This practical spirituality is part of the daily life of the Balinese, who welcome new ideas and beliefs, yet retain the essential uniqueness of their region. A truly special place, and a destination like no other.

Bali , the fabled “island of the Gods”, has been enchanting visitors for centuries with its rich cultural traditions and spectacular panoramas. From lofty, mist enshrouded volcanoes and cool mountain lakes down through terraced rice fields to a golden stand lapped by azure waters, every square inch of “island of the Gods”, Bali offers a fresh and unforgettable image.

No less enchanting are its people, some 2.7 million souls whose artistry and piety are recognized throughout the world. Balinese Hinduism, a complex fusion of Indian cosmology, Trantic Buddhism and homegrown mythology, is the primary faith of “island of the Gods”, Bali 's inhabitants, and so deeply woven into the fabric of their daily lives that the line. Between the spiritual and the material is blurry at best of the “island of the Gods”, Bali .

Those of you keen on delving into the “island of the Gods”, Bali island's fascinating culture will have plenty of opportunities, as colourful ceremonies and traditional performances occur with the regularity of sunrise. Most hotels in Bali“island of the Gods”, offer but none the less exquisite.

The “island of the Gods”, Bali hill town of Ubud , the island's premier arts centre, also has a full schedule of performances, and the nearby stone-cutter's village of Batubulan you will find Bali a treasure for its Barong lion dances.

The shoppers among you will find “island of the Gods”, Bali a treasure house of handicrafts and fine works of art. The Balinese are incredibly gifted artists and craftsmen, and their material creations are imbued with the same sense of wonderment with which they regard their universe. Stone and wood carvings, traditional and modern Bali paintings and intricately designed jewelry in gold and silver are readily available in shops and galleries throughout the “island of the Gods”, Bali island.
As for recreation in “island of the Gods”, Bali, there is no shortage of option, nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surfing-even bungy jumping and water rafting – await the adventurous here in island of the Gods, Bali.