Monday, April 15, 2013 at 2:47PM Hello!
Today's photo of the day is from a recent Bali tour to Tanah Lot temple.
Bali tour participants at Pura Tanah Lot temple in Bali
For more on tours of Bali, special experiences, yoga retreats and more, please see our sister site Bali Floating Leaf Eco-Retreat. http://balifloatingleaf.com
Friday, June 22, 2012 at 8:37PM 
Pesta Kesenian Bali, The 34th annual Bali Arts Festival 2012
The 34th annual Bali Arts Festival or Pesta Kesenian Bali is currently taking place in Denpasar, Bali. We have had the esteemed pleasure to participate and we wanted to thank Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika and his staff for their generosity and hospitality both at The Bali Arts Festival and at his private residence. We would also like to thank the staff of The Bali Arts Festival for their hospitality.
The Bali Arts Festival lasts for a full month and showcases the classical and contemporary art and culture of Bali. Fine art, dance, craft, music, culinary and more are selected from villages around Bali and given a national stage in which to exhibit thier expertice.
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika, Artist Made Wianta and Professor Michael Doliveck before the presentation Indonesia's most celebrated contemparary artist Made Wianta was on hand and always creates excitement. Made Wianta was born in Tabanan, Bali and has created thousands of artworks. He is known worldwide for his bold and kenetic paintings but he is also an accomplished poet and beleives deeply in envirenmental awareness and social responsibility. His mastery of color and form are showcased in his powerful multimedia paintings and instilations. We would like to thank him and his family for thier continued support, friendship and generosity.
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika's speech at the presentationBali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika made an impassioned speech at the presentation about the importance of the traditional arts of Bali and preserving the culture of this small island with a big presence. Joining The Governer on the deus are Burat Wangi, Intan Kirana Wianta and Putu Maryam Doliveck.
Bali's Governor signs some artworkBali's Governor I Made Mangku Pastika signs some of the artist's artwork after the presentation.
Bali Arts Festival 2012 celebrating the traditional culture and arts of Bali
Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika, Indonesia's most famous artist Made Wianta, and Professor Michael Doliveck share a jovial moment after the presentation.
Thanks again to all who helped to make this a special day.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 8:28PM While attending a sacred ceremony at Pura Besakih, Bali's Mother Temple, this handsome young fella flashed us his beautiful smile and huge bright eyes. Thousands of Balinese Hindus flock to temples on Gunung Agung, The holy volcano and the highest point on the island of Bali, for the week long celebration. Mount Agung is the most sacred spot on the island and rises 3142 metres above sea level. Its a trek to get here especially when thousands of others are attemtping to navigate the small winding roads to give their offerings to the Gods, but its well worth it.
Just one of thousands of worshipers at Pura Besakih- Bali's Holy Mother Temple Have a great photo of Bali or Indonesia? Just send us an email with the image and details and your photography can be selected as The Balifornian Photo of the Day.
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Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11:47AM The Bali Aga of Tenganan, Bali, Indonesia
A young Bali Aga girl stands amongst colorful weavings
The Bali Aga are known as the original Balinese people and predate Hinduism in Bali. They are a unique ethnic group that lived on the island of Bali before modern civilization. These original inhabitants of Bali fled imperialistic invaders, eventually finding refuge in the solitude of Bali's remote mountains. Today, only two villages remain, which until recently, were firmly and purposfully shut off from the rest of the world. The main temple in the village dates back to the 10 century AD (833 Caka) but the village itself is said to be much older than the temple.
Two Bali Aga Pendanda (High Priests) enter the ceremonial grounds with thier sacred Kris (swords)
The Tenganan’s provide a look into early Bali but the society has very strict rules. It can be dangerous for outsiders and is not recommended without an experienced guide. Please contact us directly for assistance when attempting to visit this interesting but possibly dangerous area.
There are only 600 Bali Aga families in Tenganan, and locals are forbidden to marry people from outside of the village. If they do, their family is banished from the village for life.
Young Bali Aga girls look on in thier ceremonial dress as the ceremony is about to begin
For more on The Bali Aga please see
http://www.balifornian.com/blog/2010/12/24/tenganan-and-the-bali-aga-the-real-old-school-bali.html
A beautiful young Bali Aga girl smiles as she is lead to the ceremonyAlso the Bali Aga culture practices an ancient ritual known as mekare kare, which is a ritual blood sacrifice. Stay tuned for more on this rite and photos from the fighting ceremony.
An elder Bali Aga woman watches intently from her doorwayHappy and safe travels,
The Balifornian Team
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:47PM Today we have more images from a Ngaben or Balinese Cremation Ceremony that took place near Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
Pendanda blesses women during ceremonyThe Pendanda (High Hindu Priest) blesses the women during the cremation ceremony. While it is a sad and serious ceremony, you will often see people smiling and enjoying themselves.
Beautiful Balinese woman laughs with friends
Prayers for the deceased at a cremation ceremonyVillagers give offerings and pray for the deceased during the ceremony
The body is burned during a cremation ceremony in Bali, IndonesiaThe body is burned .the ashes and fragments will be collected and ceremoniously placed in a nearby river.
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