Our Insiders Guide to Ubud & Pejeng

One of our favourite things to see on Bali are the ceremonies that are part and
parcel of everyday life for any Balinese. Ubud is probably the most spiritual of all
the areas on Bali, so you are most likely to be rewarded with ceremonies here.
Although we can’t guarantee it, you will see in many of our guest reviews that our
staff take great delight in finding local ceremonies, often in Balinese homes, for
our guests to attend. It’s always a crowd-pleaser because it is such an authentic
experience that you are unlikely to have when staying in a hotel or resort.
Below are the three main ceremonies that happen each year, but there are
literally hundreds more, as well as cremations, weddings, blessings etc.
GALUNGAN
30 MAY 2018 & 26 DECEMBER 2018
Galungan happens twice a year - every 210
days. It celebrates the creation of the
universe and the victory of good against evil.
The festivities last for 10 days and culminate
in the Kuningan celebration. However the
preparations begin long in advance, and
Galungan activities will be obvious all over
the island on the days preceding it.
KUNINGAN
9 JUNE 2018 & 5 JANUARY 2019
Ten days after the start of Galungan, festivities
come to an end with Kuningan, which
celebrates purification.
On that day, the ancestors’ souls leave their
family’s temple after the celebrations of
Galungan and beautiful offerings are made
for the ancestors as they leave.