The Indonesian government sets national holy days every year, both fixed and moveable dates. The fixed national holidays on the Gregorian calendar are the international New Year, Jan. 1; Independence Day, Aug. 17; and Christmas, Dec. 25. The Christian Good Friday, Easter Day, and Ascension Day, the Balinese new year, Nyepi, and the Buddhist Waisak are also national holidays. These holy days and all the Muslim holy days are based on the moon cycle.
The official Muslim holidays in Indonesia for 2002 are:

• Idul Fitri Dec 6-7. The end of the Muslim fasting month, Ramadan, also called Lebaran. It is very difficult to travel just before and just after Idul Fitri everywhere except Bali, as just about everyone wants to return to their home village to celebrate and then return to their places of work in the cities.
• Idul Adha February 23. The day of Abraham's sacrifice and the day that the haji pilgrims circle the Kaaba in Mecca.
• Hijryah March 15. The Islamic New Year, when Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina.
• Maulud Nabi Muhammad SAW May 25. Muhammad's birthday.
• Isra Mi'raj Nabi Muhammad SAW. October 4. When Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Calendar Event of Bali

Bali runs simultaneously on several different calendrical systems, including the Western
The important Balinese holidays include:

• Nyepi Balinese New Year is a day of silence and meditation. It falls in March or April each year on the day after the new moon, about the time of the vernal equinox. On Nyepi no physical activity occurs. This means no fire (cooking, electricity), no work, no travel, and no entertainment. Special dispensation is allowed for tourist buses and transportation between the airport and hotels only. Other touring is not allowed. Visitors must stay in their hotels where special permits grant minimal use of lights and minimal activities. Those staying outside hotels or in losmens will be required to observe the day of silence. This "silence" is taken seriously and should be respected by visitors.
• The day after Nyepi is Ngembak Nyepi and the roads are crowded with people visiting family, friends, temples, dances and drama performances.
• Galungan begins on the Wednesday of Dungulan, the 11th week of 30-week pawukon cycle. Pre-Galungan rituals involve offerings of animal sacrifices. One Galungan morning, everyone visits temples carrying colorful offerings.
• Kuningan , 10 days after Galungan on the Saturday of Kuningan, the 12th week, marks the end of the celebration. It is a time for family gatherings, prayers and still more offerings as deified ancestors return to heaven.
• The last day of the pawukon calendar, the Saturday of the Watugunung week, is Saraswati Day , when Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and literature is honored. All books are blessed and no reading or writing is allowed. The next day, the first day of the first pawukon week, Sinta, is Banyupinaruh, when everyone goes to the beach for cleansing ceremonies. For further information please find calendar event 2002 out at www.kecak.com

Temple Festivals in Bali

The temple festivals which are based on the 210 days pawukon calendar (odalan) last alternatively one day or three days. Some of the major ones are listed by the number and name of the Balinese week, then day of the week:

• 1.Sinta, Wednesday: Pura Kehen, Bangli
• 6.Gumbereg, Wednesday: Pura Desa/Puseh, Guang, Sukawati, Gianyar
• 7. Wariga, Saturday: Pura Desa/Puseh, Batuan, Giayar
• 11. Dunggulan, Friday: Pura Ulun Siwi, Jimbaran,
• 12. Kuningan, Friday: Pura Taman Pule, Mas, Ubud, Gianyar
• 13. Langkir, Wednesday: Pura Tanah Lot, Tabanan
• 14. Medangsia Tuesday: Pura Luwur Uluwatu, Jimbaran,
• 16. Pahang, Wednesday: Pura Air Jeruk, Sukawati, Giayar
• 19. Dwi Tambir: Tuesday, Pura Dalem Puri, Batuan 21. Matal, Wed: Pura Puseh/Desa, Sukawati
• 22. Uye, Saturday: Pura Puseh/Desa, Gianyar
• 24. Prangbakat, Wednesday :Pura Rambut Siwi, Jembrana, Negara
• 27. Wayang, Saturday: Pura Bhatara Ratu Gede, Celuk, Gianyar
• 29. Dukut, Tuesday: Pura Dalem Batuyang, Batubulan, Giayar
• 30. Watugunung, Saturday (Saraswati Day): Pura Banjar Tengah, Peliatan, Ubud, Gianyar

The temple festivals based on the lunar calendar (usaba) begin on the full moon of the relevant month and last for several days. The major ones are:

• April: Pura Besakih
• Pura Ulun Danu Batur
• October: Pura Besakih
• Pura Ulun Danu Batur
• Tirta Empul (Tampak Siring