Ten Unique and Unusual Things To See In Bali That You Need To Know

Bali, a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, has many natural attractions that make tourists always want to vacation there. Bali attractions include volcanoes, lakes, and white sand beaches. Besides the beauty of natural scenery, Bali offers plenty of exciting holiday activities in Tanjung Benoa, such as river rafting, cycling, and marine water sports tours. Did you know the pioneer thing that made Bali famous as a tourist destination was not because of the beauty of nature or the availability of many holiday activities? However, Bali offers unique art and culture. Therefore, on this page, we will summarize ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali that you don’t find in other regions.

Bahasa Indonesia, 10 Hal Unik Yang Hanya Ada Di Bali Wajib Anda Ketahui Sebelum Liburan.

The Uniqueness of Bali Island

Bali is a relatively small island, but when you vacation in Bali, you will never feel that you have enough time to explore all of Bali’s attractions and exciting holiday activities in Bali.

By the time you arrive in Bali, the first impression that you will be able to see is something you don’t typically find elsewhere. You will see many unique things in the form of Balinese art or culture. Many Balinese perform religious rituals by arranging “Canang” (offerings made from coconut leaves and flowers) daily. Also, there are many small temples in each house.

List Of Ten Unique and Unusual Things To See In Bali

The uniqueness of Bali will be familiar to you, who often have a vacation in Bali. However, no matter how often you visit Bali, there are some unique things about Bali that you will not find every day. The following is a list of ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali that you must know. Also, if you are considering a vacation to Bali, knowing the list of ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali will help you plan your holiday because a particular event in Bali does not occur daily.

1. Omed-Omedan – Mass Kissing in Sesetan

There is a unique ceremonial tradition believed by Banjar Kaja Sesetan residents, Denpasar, Bali, to bring good luck. The annual ceremony is called Omed-Omedan, also known as the mass kissing ritual.

Omed-Omedan is a Balinese word that means tug. The Omed-Omedan tradition is held every year, one day after Nyepi Day. Because the Omed-Omedan practice is only found in Bali, I list it as number 1 on the list of ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali.

All Omed-Omedan ritual participants are youthful members of Banjar Kaja Sesetan, Denpasar. The Omed-Omedan participants were ages 17-30 years old and unmarried. Before implementing the Omed-Omedan tradition, young people from Banjar Kaja Sesetan would perform a praying ceremony at the local temple for the event’s safety. After praying, young people were separated. Groups of people face each other on Jalan Raya Sesetan Denpasar.

One person will be chosen from the two groups of individuals, and then the selected participants will meet both sides. Both participants will lock their lips and kiss while people pour water into the participants.

Watch Bali Kissing Festival – OMED-OMEDAN YouTube.

2. Mekepung (Buffalo Race)

Number two on the list of ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali is the Mekepung tradition. Mekepung is a buffalo race in the Jembrana district, West Bali. Hundreds of buffalo in pairs will compete to be the fastest to reach the finish line controlled by a jockey. Every couple of buffalo is associated with wood plows. The buffalo racing competition is held around the Melaya district of Jembrana, Bali.

Mekepung starts in the morning, around 07:30, and the race event takes about five hours. Mekepung buffalo racing events are usually held twice a month: in July, August, September, October, and November. To see Mekepung’s schedule, please click the link!

Watch Makepung ( Buffalo Race ), Jembrana – Bali on YouTube.

3. Pandan Leaf Fight in Tenganan Village

The tradition of the pandanus leaf fight in Bali takes place in Tenganan village, Pegringsingan, Karangasem regency, Bali. Also, the pandanus leaf fight in Bali is very well known to foreign travelers. Pandan war in Tenganan village, by the Balinese known as “Geret Pandan.” However, the indigenous people of Tenganan village call the tradition Geret Pandan Mekare-Kare. The practice of pandan war in the town of Tenganan Pegringsingan is not just a traditional performance but a part of the Balinese indigenous culture and rituals of the Tenganan village community. Tenganan villagers believe they will avoid evil influence by retaining a pandan war ritual.

Two village youths will fight in an arena during the Pandan War ritual in Tenganan Pegringsingan village. Each young man will carry a bundle of pandan leaves with a length of approximately 30 cm as a weapon. Participants also take a shield on their left hand. The moment the battle starts, the two young men will attack each other by rubbing the thorny pandan leaves on the back of their opponents. Of course, it will cause a scratch wound on the participant’s back.

Location & Schedule

To watch the Pandan War ritual, visit Tenganan village, Karangasem, in mid-June. Pandan war rituals in Tenganan Pegringsingan village are usually held for two days. Every visitor who attends is allowed to watch the Pandan War rituals. Also, there is no ticket fee.

Because the Pandan War ritual is a religious event considered sacred for locals, it is better to come to Tenganan village to watch the Pandan War wearing traditional Balinese clothes. It’s like wearing a sarong and a scarf tied around the waist, even though it’s not mandatory. Because of the enthusiastic tourists who vacation in Bali to watch the Pandan War tradition, there will be plenty of audience. So, it would be best to come early to find a comfortable place to sit and a relatively high spot. Also, there are no seats, so prepare to stand for a while.

See Here, Tenganan Village Google Maps.

Watch on YouTube, Tenganan Pandawan War (Mekare-Kare).

4. Nyepi Day

Nyepi Day is a Caka New Year celebration in Bali, celebrated by Hindus in Indonesia. However, the Caka New Year celebration is the opposite, unlike the New Year celebration that we are commonly known. Because during Nyepi Day, all routine activities stop, and the atmosphere is quiet, which you will never find in other realms.

Anyone in Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida must stay home or in a hotel for 24 hours.

Shops are closed, highways are quiet, and offices are closed, including Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, for all flights for 24 hours. Calm conditions start from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the next day. However, some exceptions may come out only for security forces and ambulances allowed to go out. Also, the hospital and police station remain open. The Nyepi holiday for the year 2024 will be celebrated from March 11 to March 12.

5. Ogoh-Ogoh Parade

One day before Nyepi Day, there is a procession of Balinese Hindus called Ngerupuk/Pengerupukan. Sorting rituals are carried out in every village on the entire island of Bali. The locals will hold the Ogoh-Ogoh parade on the highway in the afternoon.

Then what is Ogoh-Ogoh? Ogoh-Ogoh is a giant figure made of lightweight material. So it is easy to get into the wine. The Ogoh-Ogoh framework uses wood. Then styrofoam is used to create shapes, then coated with paper and cloth, making it easy to parade. There are many forms of Ogoh-Ogoh, which are primarily sizeable evil creatures.

Watch On YouTube, Ogoh Ogoh Parade.

6. Balinese Temple By The Lake

Bali is a tourist destination synonymous with art, uniqueness, and culture, one of which is the Balinese Hindu temple. When you vacation in Bali, you will see many temples, from minor to prominent temples, such as Tanah Lot Temple, Uluwatu Temple, and Tirta Empul Temple.

However, one temple in Bali has an unusual location: the Ulun Danu temple in Beratan, Bedugul, Bali. Of all ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali on this page, Ulun Danu temple at Lake Beratan Bedugul is the most popular.

Not only is the Ulun Danu temple location unique, but it is also in the highlands. It makes cool air feel even during the daytime. Because of the unique position of Ulun Danu temple on Lake Beratan, Bedugul, a photograph of Ulun Danu Beratan temple is always seen in the Bali tourism promotion media. Therefore, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is one of the most important places to visit in Bali during a holiday.

Read More, “List Of Top 10 Famous Hindu Temples To Visit In Bali” >>>

7. Ngaben/Plebon (Cremation)

One of Bali’s uniqueness in the eyes of the world is the Ngaben ceremony. Ngaben or Pelebon (for higher castes) is a Bali cremation ceremony. Ngaben or Pelebon is one of the most important celebrations in the Balinese Hindu cultural tradition. Things that make the Ngaben ceremony in Bali unique are the way Balinese escort a corpse from home to the cremation location. Balinese use “Wadah” to mean containers.

In general, there are two forms of Wadah. One is shaped like a small temple with carvings and ornaments that look very beautiful. The other one is shaped like an animal, usually in the figure of an ox. A temple-shaped container lifts corpses from the house to the cremation site. After arriving at the cremation site, the body is lowered from the Wadah and then transferred to a container as an ox. The Wadah (container) is enormous, and lifting it will require many human resources.

After the ritual procession, a massive fire begins to light up. For Balinese Hindus, the cremation process is fundamental. It is believed to facilitate the spirits reaching the destination according to the results of the deeds carried out during life.

Watch On YouTube, Pelebon Puri Ubud Full Video March 2, 2018.

8. Penjor

If you vacation in Bali during Galungan Day, you will see unique decorations in bamboo poles along the highway. Bamboo pole decoration in Bali is called Penjor. In the eyes of tourists, Penjor is a unique cultural tradition in Bali.

The ornament is made of natural bamboo, and the bamboo is decorated using coconut leaves and other decorations. At the Penjor’s end is a flower decoration called Sampian. Flower ornaments are hung using a coconut leaf tied to long strands. After the Penjor decoration is finished, the Balinese will install bamboo poles in front of their homes.

The best place to see Penjor is in Penglipuran Village during the Galungan ceremony.

9. Giant-Size Kite Festival

The Kite Festival in Bali is an annual event in July and August. July and August were chosen because wind gusts began strongly that month. Besides wind factors, July and August are the peak tourist season in Bali. So, the kite festival in Bali attracts thousands of visitors, especially foreign tourists.

The uniqueness of the kite festival in Bali is the enormous size of the kites. During the flight, the kite was accompanied by a Balinese musical instrument called Baleganjur. The location of the kite festival is usually Padang Galak Beach and Sanur Beach, Bali.

10. Similar First Name

The last in the list of ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali is the similarity of the Balinese first name.

For those who visit Bali for the first time, you will meet many Bali residents. However, one thing will make you wonder why many Balinese share the same first names.

The Balinese first name means the order of birth in one family. Wayan/Putu means the first child. Made, Kadek, or Nengah means Second child. The third child’s first name is Komang or Nyoman, and the fourth is Ketut. After the first name, there is a last name that differs.

That’s all about the ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali. If you have questions about the ten unique and unusual things to see in Bali on this page, please write in the comments column below.