Kehidupan di Bali: Kenapa Bali Lebih Dikenal dari Indonesia?

Bali is known as the island of 1000 Pura because the number of Pura or temples spread throughout this island is very many, even thousands. The existence of the Pura reflects the spirituality and belief of the Balinese community, which is mostly Hindu.

Each temple has a certain function and meaning, both as a place of worship, a traditional ceremony, or as a symbol of human relations with God. Temple in Bali is spread in various locations, ranging from mountainous areas to coastal areas. The main temple or temple known in Bali such as the Besakih Temple on Mount Agung, the Lot Land Temple on the beach, and the Uluwatu Temple on the cliff, become an important symbol in the belief of the Hindus of Bali.

In addition, almost every village in Bali has a traditional temple used to perform daily life rituals and Hindu religious festivals. Outside of its cultural and spiritual richness, Bali also has a strong international reputation as a tourist destination. This island is more famous all over the world than other islands in Indonesia.

Many people know Bali without understanding that it is part of Indonesia. The name Bali is often more dominant in the context of global tourism, which causes many people to be confused to consider it as a separate entity, both culturally and nationally.

In this video, we will look more into various aspects of life on the island of Bali such as the location of geography, social, culture, natural beauty, and many more. Before learning more, don't forget to press the like and subscribe button so that you don't miss out on various interesting things and facts on this channel.

Bali is a province located in Indonesia, covering the island of Bali itself and several small islands around it, such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. The area of ​​Bali is about 5,780 square kilometers. Geographically, the island of Bali is a strategic area, because it is located in a position that connects the island of Java on the west and the island of Lombok on the east.

The beauty of this island is placed in an extraordinary natural combination and its cultural richness. From the beautiful beaches in Kuta, Seminyak, to Uluwatu, Bali offers a stunning sea view with a wave that becomes heaven for travelers. White sand and clear sea water, added with high cliffs on the back, make the beaches in Bali unmatched.

Bali is also fascinated by its rich cultural heritage. Each corner of the island has a living cultural element, from the grand temple to the traditional ceremonies that take place in various villages. Bali's art, music, and craftsmanship are characteristic of this island's rich culture.

Overall, Bali not only offers natural beauty, but also peace and spiritual depth that amazes anyone who visits this island.

The number of people living in Bali in 2024 is around 4,375,000 people, with the majority of the ethnic group on this island is the Balinese tribe, which is part of the Malay ethnic group. The Balinese tribe has a very special culture, with a unique language, customs and social system. They inhabit almost all of the island's areas, with a very dominant number compared to other ethnic groups.

In addition to the Balinese, there are also other ethnic groups living in Bali, such as the Javanese, Madura, and Bugis, whose majority comes from other regions in Indonesia, come to Bali to work or trade. However, their existence is not as much as the Balinese and is more concentrated in urban areas such as Denpasar.

Bali is known for its majority of Hindus. But the Hindu religion that has developed in Bali has a significant difference compared to the Hindu religion in India. The Bali Hindu religion is known for its Hindu Dharma religion that has a unique tradition, ceremony, and belief.

One of the main differences is the combination of Hindu teachings with the belief in animism and dynamism that existed before. The Balinese community believes that everything in this world has a spirit or power that must be respected, including nature, objects, and even daily activities.

This belief is reflected in various events and rituals that are routinely performed by the people of Bali, both in the environment of the family, village, and on a large scale. Events such as Melasti, cleaning of the self and nature, Galungan, the celebration of the victory of Dharma over Adharma, and the New Year or Baru Saka which is also a holiday throughout Bali.

All of these are real examples of how the Hindu religion of Bali is lived in the activities of the community here. Although Hindus are the majority religion in Bali, this island is also inhabited by people with other beliefs who live together harmoniously. Islam is the second largest religion in Bali, which is generally adopted by visitors from other regions such as Lombok, Java, and Madura.

Christian, both Catholic and Protestant, also have a fairly active community in Bali. There are churches in the city center such as Denpasar, Giyanyar, and Singaraja. Although the number of religious leaders besides the Hindu is relatively small compared to the Hindu population of Bali, the tolerance among religious people is quite high.

Religious life in Bali runs with respect, even in some cultural and traditional moments, people of other religions are involved or give support. Bali has a very special and profound art and culture, which is one of the main attraction for tourists from all over the world. Dance art in Bali not only functions as entertainment, but also as a media for delivering epic stories such as Ramayana and Mahabharata.

For example, the famous cak dance with the harmony of dozens of male dancers sitting around while singing cak rhythmically, or barong dance that describes the battle between good and evil. Gamelan music, with the beat of the drum and complex rhythm, always follows various traditional ceremonies, dance performances, and other cultural activities.

In addition, art also developed rapidly in Bali, starting from traditional paintings full of symbolic details, wooden carvings that depict the motif of flora fauna, to the skillful and highly valued perak. This art is not only inherited gradually, but also continues to adapt with the development of time without losing its identity.

For the people of Bali, art is part of daily life, integrated into religious events, celebrations, even in house and temple decorations, so that every corner of this island is felt alive by a creative touch that is full of spiritual meaning.

Bali also has a unique tradition and celebration that is rarely found elsewhere. One of them is Nyepi Raya, a celebration of the new year of Saka celebrated by Hindu people in Bali. Nyepi usually falls in March or April, according to the Saka calendar. Today is an important moment to do self-cleaning, introspection, and start a new year with a clean heart.

Unlike the New Year celebrations in other places that are usually merry, the festival is filled with a total of 24 hours. All activities outside the house are stopped, the airport is closed, the streets are quiet, and there is no light or noise at night. Hindus run four stages called the "Bratah Penyepian" do not light fire or light, do not work, do not go out, and do not enjoy entertainment.

One day before the Njepi, there was an Ogoh-Ogoh ceremony, which is a ceremony of a statue of a demon that symbolizes the evil spirit, then burned as a symbol of purification. After the Njepi ends, the Hindu people usually do a ritual, which is to visit each other to forgive and strengthen the relationship. Njepi is not only a religious moment, but also a tradition that maintains the balance of spirituality, social, and environment in Bali.

The capital of the province of Bali is Denpasar, located in the south of this island. Denpasar is not only a government center, but also a heart of the economy and culture of Bali. As the largest city in Bali, Denpasar is a place where various business, trade, and public service activities are gathered.

In this city, you will find traditional markets as crowded as the Badung Market, which sells various goods ranging from fresh food to craft goods, as well as a modern shopping center that meets the needs of tourists and locals. In addition, Denpasar also has many interesting cultural sites. One of them is the Jagadnata Temple, a temple that is a symbol of Hinduism in Bali, located in the city center.

Before Denpasar, the city of Singaraja was the capital of the Dutch colonial period. Since 1849, Singaraja has been the center of the Dutch government in Bali, replacing the position of the Balinese kingdoms that had long been established. At that time, Singaraja became an important city for administration and trade, as well as the gathering of the Dutch government offices.

Many colonial-style buildings were built during this period, such as government offices, civil servants' houses, and other public buildings that can still be found today. These buildings are witnesses to the history of the colonial period, offering an interesting historical view for anyone who visits.

However, after Bali officially became the Indonesian province in 1958, the capital of the province of Bali was moved from Singaraja to Denpasar. This decision was taken because Denpasar was more strategic, with a position closer to the economic center and Bali's tourism that was developing rapidly at the time.

and the market has better access to international airports and closer to the main tourist areas, which makes it more suitable as a new government center. To know more about Bali, here are 10 interesting facts about the island of Bali.

1. Bali is often referred to as the island of the gods because it is considered as a place inhabited by the gods in the Hindu belief of Bali. The term "Devata" refers to a god or spirit respected in Hindu religion

and Bali is considered an island full of spiritual blessings, natural beauty, cultural wealth, and the life of its people, which is very influenced by the teachings of Hinduism, makes this island identical to a holy place and full of spiritual energy.

2. In Bali, many names are given based on the order of birth of a child in the family. This tradition is part of a special naming system known as the Bali Name System. Every child born is given a name according to their position in the order of birth, consisting of four basic names that are used in order.

The name for the first born child is Wayan, Putu, or Gede. For the second born child is Made, Nengah, or Kadek. The name for the third child is Nyoman or Komang. And the name for the fourth child is Ketut. After the fourth child, this cycle will return again starting from the beginning with an addition of Balik, such as Wayan Balik or Gede Balik for the fifth child, and so on.

3. Bali has more than 20,000 temples spread throughout the island's suburbs. These temples are a place of worship for the Hindu people of Bali and become an inseparable part of the spiritual life of the community. Every village in Bali usually has a temple that is a center of worship for its citizens and there are also large temples that function as a place of worship for a wider area.

These temples also have a social role as a place to gather and strengthen relationships between people. Some famous temples such as Pura Besakih, Pura Tanah Lot, and Pura Ulun Danu Bratan become icons and tourist destinations for visitors.

4. Jatilui Truss Ring in Bali is known as one of the most beautiful natural destinations with a green panorama that spans the vastness of the mountains of Batu Karu. Located in the Tabanan region, Jatilui has a subak farming system that has been recognized as a heritage of world culture by UNESCO.

The beauty of this serene rice field is placed in a series of paddy fields that form layered layers, creating a very aesthetic view. The paddy that grows fertile along the hillside gives the impression that the earth and the sky are united with a green color that changes according to the season. In the harvest season, the field will be filled with a gold color that contrasts with the blue sky, creating a stunning view.

5. The statue of Garuda Wisnu Kencana or GWK is one of the largest icons in Bali and is the largest statue in Indonesia. Located on the hill of Ungasan, Jimbaran, this statue depicts the figure of the goddess Wisnu who is carrying Garuda, a mythological bird in Hindu religion.

This statue was designed by Bali artist, Iñoma Nuarta and built to be a symbol of Indonesian culture as well as a symbol of harmony between humans and nature. The GWK statue has a height of about 121 meters with a wing width of 64 meters. The uniqueness of this statue is in the design that describes Vishnu as the guardian god and Garuda as a sacred vehicle that symbolizes wisdom and strength.

The construction of this statue began in 1997 and stopped several times, but was finally completed in 2018. This statue is also in a larger complex that covers the cultural park, the exhibition area, and the tourist spot.

6. The Lot Land Temple is one of the most famous temples in Bali Located on a large rock on the sea side This temple has a high spiritual value for the people of Bali Because it is considered a place to worship the god of the sea keeper The Lot Land itself comes from the Balinese language which means land in the sea Which describes its unique location on a rock surrounded by the sea The originality of the Lot Land Temple is clear when the sea water is clear

When the water is filled, the pond seems to separate from the land and looks like it is floating on the sea surface. This phenomenon creates a very surprising view and becomes a main attraction for tourists.

7. Ubud Monkey Forest is a protected area located in the center of the village of Ubud. This forest is the habitat for hundreds of Bali Long-tailed Monkeys or called Macaca Fas Cicularis, who live freely in it. This area is also known as a place full of spiritual value, because inside there are several ancient temples used for religious activities by the local community.

8. The Penglipuran Village in Bali is known as one of the cleanest villages in the world. The village's education is based on the unity of its citizens in maintaining cleanliness and environmental sustainability, which has become part of their daily culture. This village upholds the principles of clean living that are not only limited to physical cleanliness, but also embrace a harmonious way of life with nature.

The cleanliness of the village of Penglipuran is reflected in the well-organized environmental management. The roads in this village are always neat, the house environment is maintained, and there is no garbage that is seen along the way.

In addition, the community in the village of Penglipuran is also active in the management of garbage by sorting organic and inorganic waste and recycling it. This makes this village a good example of applying the principles of sustainability and environmental awareness. 9. There is a cemetery in Bali that has a unique tradition and is different from most cemeteries elsewhere.

Especially in the village of Trunyan, the corpse was not buried or burned, but rather placed on the ground and left open. This tradition is known as Mepasah, where the body was placed in a bamboo frame under a tarumenyan tree, which is believed to have the power to eliminate the smell of the corpse.

This burial process is done with great respect and full of rituals. The people of Trunyan believe that the soul of the deceased will return to the wild through the tree.

10. Kuta Beach is the most famous beach in Bali because of its natural beauty that is beautiful and easy to access Located in the south of Bali, this beach has wide white sand and a suitable wave to slide, making it the main destination for tourists from various world leaders

Kuta has been an icon of Bali tourism for a long time, offering a very mesmerizing sunset view, so it is often a favorite place to enjoy the sunset. In addition to its natural beauty, Kuta beach is also known for its very lively atmosphere. Along the beach, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops that sell various items, from clothes to Bali's special snacks.

Kuta is also known for its crowded nightlife, with many bars and nightclubs that attract visitors to relax after a long day. And those are some interesting facts about the island of Bali. If you enjoy this video, don't forget to like it, leave a comment, and press the subscribe button so that you don't miss any other interesting information. That's all for this time, and see you in the next video.