Bali - Indonesia Travel Articles

The Full Moon in Bali

The Full-moon in Bali…..what’s diffrent?
“…..Full-moon is a full-moon……But, full-moon in Bali is unique in which different than other parts of the world. Now, I would like to share information of the Balinese activities during full-moon……”Every 30 days, we have full-moon. All people in the world could see it. Full-moon is a full-moon. It just the same everywhere, a beautiful and shining moon among the darkness. People usually take this moment to watch the moon, go to the beach or just sit at verandah while having whisky or wine or conversation.

But, full-moon in Bali is unique in which different than other parts of the world. Now, I would like to share information of the Balinese activities during full-moon that might be interesting you to learn, then to come and see it by your own in the near future.

Full-moon is a holy and sacred day for Balinese. They use it for praying or making veneration to the God and cleaning themselves from sins during a month. Some people also choose this day as Anniversary or Celebration of their temples.

Based on Balinese’ fairy-tale, when the glow moon illuminated the earth, its cool brightness made noon and night were undistinguishable. The God of Sun was very angry and then cursed Him to be not shining anymore. It made dark at the night, the weather very hot and dry, shortage of water, no rain at all and it had diseases everywhere.

Afterwards, the God of Sun told people to worship the moon, make offerings and pray to Him to give them rain and such brightness when the night is coming. Yes, it was really happened. Suddenly, the rain felt down, the dark sky changed to be bright. Its shine was brightness day by day and right on the 30 day, the moon was having its perfect form - big oval shaped with very clear shine. That is why, the full-moon is very important for the Balinese and been convinced as a good day for praying to the God.

On full-moon, the Balinese are very busy in preparing the offerings. They make small offerings from young coconut leaves decorated by at least 7 kinds of flowers and different colors called “canang” or pronounced as “chanang”.
The local markets are also full of sellers who are selling all necessary tools for praying. Mostly ladies are there to buy if they have no time to make it by themselves.

Some temples have its celebration on full-moon too. It customarily is held a procession of big offerings of fruits and cakes gathered in one tool made from wood or silver.

Adult women with traditional Balinese dresses will carry the offerings in one’s hand and parade to the temple. Behind them are about 20 musicians playing traditional “gamelan” music and people in all ages beyond the musicians and women. When they arrive, the offerings will be putted in front of the veneration place and in stuck the incense. People then knee down and start praying along with priest’s magic spell as the intermediary to the God.

We can easily find children age of 3-10 years old in traditional dress walk with their parents or some of them were carried by their father or mother. It is very touch, since that age they have participated and learn their religion.

There is a temple named “Jagatnata Temple” located in the north part of Bali Museum which held its celebration in each full-moon. Hundreds even thousands Balinese usually fulfill the temple, they are children, teenagers, adults, moreover old people. Most of them come from Denpasar Regency and the others are from outside of Denpasar. They come by car, motorcycle, public bus, and for those who are living nearby the temple, just go on foot. There are traders of “Chanang” outside the temple as well to ease people who do not bring any offerings for certain reasons. The praying itself is starting from 08.00 in the morning until 12.00 at midnight. But, the most crowded people are usually between 7.00PM till 11.00PM.

Yes, it is really a picturesque view that can not be seen anywhere unless Bali. Therefore, may I suggest you to share this story with your family, friends, relatives and clienteles. If they wish to witness this activity, why don’t they starting to plan their visit to our island of Bali. They may take picture and have an opportunity to see how the Balinese prepare the offerings and the parade itself. Remember, it’s every 30 days. For your information that the latest full-moon was on 10 September 2003. Just added 30 days or please revert to their CALENDAR. It will show when the full-moon will be in BALI.