Religion, Tradition, and Culture of Bali

In Bali, known as a temple of literature that is essentially used as a symbol of the state slogan Indonesia: Bhineka Tunggal Ika Tan Hana Dharma, which means 'Although different but still one also, is second to none (God - the Truth) that'. Understandable if the people of Bali can coexist with other faiths such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and others. This view is a refutation of the assessment while the man that Hindus worship many Gods. Although the Hindu community in Bali to call God by various names but the destination remains the one, God Almighty or “Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa”.

Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, called Tri Murti, although three distinct, but related to one also as a process of birth-death-life or utpeti-stiti-pralina. Dewata Nawa Sanga as nine gods who occupy eight cardinal directions and one in the middle despite distinct past nine to eleven, when integrated with a layer of vertical space below the upper-middle-or Bhur-bwah-swah, is one also as the power of God in maintaining the balance of the universe. Similarly, names and other terms that are intended specifically to give the title of the Almighty God's.

Confidence of Hindus against the existence of God / Hyang Widhi who Wyapi Wyapaka or there everywhere also within yourself - is the guidance that always remind the link between karma or deeds and reward or result, which guides human behavior to the Tri Kaya Parisudha as an integrated manacika, wacika, and Kayika or the unification of thoughts, words, and good deeds.

Hindus believe that the universe and everything in it is God's creation as well as a gift of God to mankind to be used for their survival. Therefore, Hinduism teaches literature guidance for the preservation of the universe and harmonious always maintained that the understanding is translated in the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana as a three-way to perfection of life, namely:
Human relationship with God; as atma or soul is poured in the form of religious teachings that set the pattern of spiritual communication through a variety of ceremonial offerings to the Lord. Therefore, in one community called the Villages Traditional Balinese certainly have the means Parhyangan or temple, known as Goda Three, as the media in realizing the human relationship with Ida Sang Hyang Widhi. Human relationship with the natural environment; as antlers or a clearly defined entity in order residential areas and supporting areas (agriculture) are in one area called the Village Traditional Village Pakraman.
Human relationships with fellow human beings; as Khaya or power in a region known as the Krama Indigenous Village Village or community members, is the driving force to integrate atma and angga.
Implementation of various forms of ceremony and worship offerings to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa by Hindus called Yadnya or sacrifice / victim sacred in various forms on the basis of a sincere conscience. Implementation of this Yadnya intrinsically not independent of Tri Hita Karana with elements of God, the universe, and human.

 Ngaben

Supported by various religious philosophy as a starting point of the teachings of Almighty God, the teachings of Hinduism Yadnya outline the implementation in five parts called Panca Yadnya, which is decomposed into:

1. Dewayne Yadnya
Offerings and worship to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, god Yadnya ceremony is generally held in various temples, Sanggah, and Pamerajan (family shrine) in accordance with its level. Ceremony god this Yadnya commonly referred to as piodalan, aci, or pujawali.
2. Pitra Yadnya
Homage to ancestors, parents and families that have died, who gave birth to, nurture, and provide color in an environment of family life. Hindu community in Bali believe that the spirits of ancestors, parents and families that have died, according to the karma that was built during life, will be toward unification with Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. Families who still live should perform various rites for the unification process and the stage is well underway.
3. Rsi Yadnya
Offerings and homage to the wise, pastors, and scholars, who have established many basic teachings of Hinduism and manners in order to behave.
4. Human Yadnya
A process to preserve, respect and appreciate themselves and their nuclear family (husband, wife, children). In the course of a Balinese man, carried out various processions to it since being in the womb, born, grew up, married, childless grandchildren, to death before. Ceremony magedong-Gedongan, otonan, menek kelih, pawiwahan, until Ngaben, is a form of Hindu ceremony in Bali which is included in Manusa Yadnya levels.
5. Bhuta Yadnya
The procession of offerings and spiritual maintenance on the strength and resources of the universe. Hindu religion that man and the universe was formed from elements of the same, that is called Panca Maha Bhuta, consisting of Akasa (space), Bayu (Air), Teja (heat), Apah (liquid), and Pertiwi (substance solid). Because humans have the ability to think (eyelash) then humans must maintain the universe, including other living creatures (animals and plants).

Panca Maha Bhuta, who has enormous power, if not controlled and not maintained will be disastrous to the viability of the universe. Attention to the preservation of nature is what makes Bhuta Yadnya ceremony performed by Hindus often either incidental or periodically. Bhuta Yadnya have levels ranging from ceremonial masegeh a small ceremony held every day until the ceremony caru and great tawur conducted periodically on the count wuku (one week), sasih (one month), until the count of hundreds of years.

Geography and Topography of Bali

Geographical Location, Administrative Boundaries, and Area

Geographically, Bali is located at 8 ° 3'40 "- 8 ° 50'48" south latitude and 114 ° 25'53 "- 115 ° 42'40" east longitude. Relief and topography of the island of Bali in the middle of mountains stretching lengthwise from west to east.

Province of Bali lies between Java and Lombok Island. Physical limits are as follows:
    * North: Bali Sea
    * East: the Straits of Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara Province)
    * South: Samudera Indonesia
    * West: Bali Strait (East Java Province)
Administratively, the province of Bali is divided into eight districts and one city, the district of Jembrana, Tabanan, Badung, Gianyar, Karangasem, Klungkung, Bangli, Buleleng, and Denpasar which is also the provincial capital. In addition to Bali Island of Bali is also comprised of other small islands, namely Pulau Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan in Klungkung regency, island attack in the area of Denpasar, and Menjangan Island in Buleleng Regency. The total area of the Province of Bali is 5634.40 ha to reach the 529 km long coastline

Topographi
Bali Province is mountains and hills that cover most areas. Relief island of Bali is a mountain chain that extends from west to east. Among the mountains there are still active volcanoes, namely Gunung Agung (3142 m) and Mount Batur (1717 m). Several other inactive volcano reached an altitude between 1000-2000 m.
Mountain chain stretching across the center of the island of Bali lead this region is geographically divided into two distinct sections, namely North Bali with a narrow lowland foothills and mountains and lowland South Bali with a wide and sloping. Judging from the slope, the island of Bali, composed mostly of land with a slope between 0-2% to 15-40%. The rest is a land with a slope of above 40%.
As one of the criteria for determining the level of suitability of land, then land with a slope below 40% in general can be sought from others to determine land requirements are met. While the land with a slope of above 40% require special attention when would be the cultivation.
Land with a slope of 0-2%, dominate the southern coastal region and some parts of the northern coast of Bali, with a total area of 96.129 ha. While the land with a slope of 2-15%, mostly located in the regency of Badung, Tabanan, Gianyar, Buleleng, and the rest spread evenly in the area around the beach with a wide reach 132,056 ha.
Areas with a slope of 15-40% covering an area of 164,749 ha is predominantly found in the area of the middle island of Bali, following a row of hills that stretches from west to east region. Areas with slopes exceeding 40% is mountains and hills located on the island of Nusa Penida.
Judging from the altitude, the island of Bali consists of a group of land as follows:

• Land with a height of 00-50 m above sea level have a fairly flat surface covering an area of 77321.38 ha.
• Land with a height of 50-100 m above sea level has a wavy surface with broad, wavy to 60620.34 ha.
• Land with a height of 100-500 m in an area of 211,923.85 ha, dominated by the state until the hilly bumpy surface.
• Land with a height of 500-1000 m above sea level covering an area of 145,188.61 ha.
• Land with an altitude above 1,000 m above sea level covering an area of 68231.90 ha.

Bali History

Bali with a unique society and culture certainly is not a newly emerging area of migration. Balinese daily with a culture that always show the color of the local culture of Bali shows that the journey has gone through a long historical path. Various archaeological findings in various parts of Bali, Island of Bali proved a long trip coincided with the region and other countries.

As with other areas in the archipelago, during the early stages of social life in Bali is classified as pre-historic era. In the pre-history is not found records that describe the order of social life. The reference is to the findings of various equipment that is used as a means of sustaining human survival Bali at the time.

Of the various findings of the pre-history, pre history Bali - as with most other regions - including three rounds of cultural levels. The first layer is the life that rely on hunting culture. Naturally, hunting is a way to maintain the viability of a very clear and easy to do. With simple tools of stone materials, the relics found in areas north and Sembiran in Bali Batur region, human Bali expected to survive. Relics of a better type of equipment, using bone material, were also found in caves in the area Selonding bulit, South Badung. This shows that the hunt is long past the time accompanied by an increase in the mindset that the better.

Still based on the findings of ancient objects, illustrated that the Balinese began to abandon the hunt and get in on the plant. Although already entered the order of life which is more patterned at the time of planting, groups of people in Bali at that time lived in a move likely. Various relics are found as a freelance findings in various parts of Bali, west, north Bali, and Bali's south. Tatatan settlement is believed to be living with the transitional arrangements of human life in Bali from the prehistoric era to the era of history. Nekara ancient relics in the form of various articles of bronze and metal materials in the area Pejeng Gianyar, proving that when it has formed a more structured society.

Coincided with the transition of prehistoric era to the era of history, the influence of Hindus from India to Indonesia is expected to give strong impetus to the cultural leap in Bali. This transition, which is commonly known as the Bali Ancient between the 8th to the 13th century, with very clearly experiencing more changes due to the influence of Majapahit who intends to unite the archipelago via the Palapa Oath of Gajah Mada in the early 13th century. Order of government and community structures have adjusted to follow the pattern of Majapahit rule. Clash of the local culture and culture of ancient Balinese Hindu Javanese of Majapahit in the form of rejection of the Balinese to cause a variety of resistance in various regions in Bali. Slowly and surely, with the adjustment effort and mix of both parties, Balinese culture managed to find a pattern consistent with the public mindset and nature of Bali.

This adjustment model would then form a society and culture inherited Bali is now a unique and distinctive, absorbing elements of Hindu and Javanese Majapahit, but thick with local color.

The pattern of development of Balinese culture in subsequent periods, the colonial era and the era of independence, naturally follow the same path that is received outside influence color melting into the local culture.

Bali Travel Guide

Passports and Visas
Visitors from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe don't need a visa to enter Indonesia. Provided you have a ticket out of the country and your passport has at least six months validity at the time of your arrival, you'll be issued with a tourist card which is valid for a 60-day stay. Keep the card with your passport as you'll have to hand it back when you leave the country. It is good for 60 days, not two months, some travelers have been fined for overstaying by only a day or so. It is not possible to get an extension on a tourist visa, unless there is a medical emergency or you have to answer legal charges. There are visas, particularly a business visitor's visa, which may be valid for a longer period. The immigration office is in Denpasar. If you have to visit this office, make sure you wear your most respectable clothes. 

Currency
The Rupiah. Notes 100; 500; 1,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20,000; 50,000; 100,000. Coins 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000. 

Time Zone
GMT + 8 hours. 

Accommodation
As you can imagine there's an enormous variety of accommodation available in Bali. It varies from magnificent five star resorts to simple jungle cabins, depending on the location and your holiday budget. 

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are acceptable in most hotels along with American dollar traveler's cheques. 

Electricity
Most hotels use 220 volts, 50 cycles and a round, two-pronged slim plug. Bathroom shaver plugs usually have a transformer switch. We suggest taking an adaptor for your appliance. 

Getting Around
You will find a range of chauffeur driven limousines, self-drive cars, taxis and hotel courtesy cars. Many taxis are not metered so it's wise to negotiate the fare before you climb aboard. Bemos are a unique form of transport. They are a mini-van masquerading as a communal bus. You simply hail the driver and negotiate the fare that suits you both. Motorcycles can also be hired in many places but special care should be exercised at all times as road and traffic conditions can be somewhat hazardous in certain locations. Traveling around Bali is made all the easier because everywhere you go you'll find friendly people only to happy to give you advice and directions on how to get where you want to go. 

Driver's License
If you wish to hire a car you must be over 18 years of age and posses an International Driver's License or license from ASEAN countries. 

Clothing
Light, airy, casual clothes are the most practical and you'll find natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Bali's often humid conditions. Waist sashes should be worn when visiting temples. 

Useful Numbers

• Taxis
• Taksi Praja : 289191, 289090
• Taksi Bali : 701111
• Medical
• AEA International (Medical Evac) Jl. Hayam Wuruk 40, Denpasar. Tel : 228996
• Medical Centre Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai 100X Denpasar. Tel : 761263
• Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada (Hospital) Jl. Panglima Sudirman No.50, Denpasar. Tel : 227560
• Kuta Clinic : Jl. Raya Kuta No.100X, Kuta. Tel : 753268
• Nusa Dua Clinic : Jl. Pramata No. 81A, Nusa Dua. Tel : 771324
• Rumah Sakit Umum Sanglah (Hospital) : Jl. Diponegoro, Denpasar. Tel : 227911
• Emergency Numbers
• Ambulance : 118
• Fire : 113
• Police : 110
• Search & Rescue : 51111
• Red Cross : 26465
• Operator Assisted Calls
• Within Indonesia : 100
• International : 101
• Directory Information
• Bali : 108
• Indonesia : 106 

HOW TO GO TO BALI

Flights to Bali How to reach Bali?, what the airlines fly to Bali, Check out our Bali Flights Schedule and Airlines, find out their flight schedule and airfares

Direct flights to Bali are available mostly from cities in Asia and Pacific countries: Bangkok (BKK), Brunei (Bandar Sri Begawan, BWN), Darwin (DRW), Dili (DIL), Doha (DOH), Hong Kong (HKG), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Melbourne (MEL), Osaka (KIX), Perth (PER), Seoul (ICN), Singapore (SIN), Taipei Taiwan (TPE), Tokyo Narita (NRT).

If you are not living on the above cities, find the flight to Singapore (SIN) or Hong Kong (HKG) or Bangkok (BKK) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL), then get connection flight to Denpasar (DPS), Bali.
(Denpasar is capital city of Bali with code: DPS. When you check flight schedule, don't look for Bali, but look for Denpasar, DPS)

If you are living in Amsterdam, you get KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Jakarta (CGK) then connect to Denpasar by Garuda Indonesia. OR You can get Cathay Pacific (CX) flight to Hong Kong, or Singapore Airlines (SQ) to Singapore (SIN), or Thai Airways (TG) to Bangkok, or Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), then connect to Denpasar, Bali (DPS).
For other cities in Europe, check it out at Our Flight Schedule. Just click here!

If you are living in North America, you can get flight from Los Angles to Singapore (by Singapore Airlines) or to Hongkong (by Cathay Pacific) then get connection flight to Bali with the same airlines. OR ou get flight from New York to Singapore (by Singapore Airlines) or to Hongkong (by Cathay Pacific) then get connection flight to Bali with the same airlines. Another option: You may also get flight from New York to Nagoya – Japan (By Japan Airlines or Northwest) then connect to Bali.

You can find your flight schedule using “ oag-flights.com ”. Type your Departure city in “Departure” field and Denpasar or DPS in “Arrival” field. Click here to go to “oag-flights.com” . - OR –

You may check flight schedules at the Airlines' websites such as:

AirAsia , American Airlines , Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, Continental Airlines, EVA Airways, Garuda Airline, Japan Airlines International

Jetstar Airways, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, Transaero, Valuair,