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Indonesia’s rich and diverse culture and the different religions that flourish there ensure that the country celebrates a number of different festivals throughout the year. While festivals like Eid and Christmas and Independence Day are celebrated here, local Indonesia festivals are greeted with a lot more fervour and enthusiasm. Here’s a list of some of the popular Indonesia festivals that you can come across in your trip to the country.
Nyepi is the Balinese New Year which is usually held every year in March. In Bali, everything is closed on this day as it is a day of fasting and meditation. In fact, Nyepi means ‘day of silence’. There are a lot of preparations preceding the actual festival such as cleaning of the statues of gods, ceremonies and rituals etc. On the day of Nyepi however, there is an eerie and unearthly silence everywhere as people are busy meditating. Roads are empty and even the airport is closed on this day.
A festival that is unique to the Papua people, in which they believe that war is a symbol of fertility and prosperity. On the day of the festival, which is usually celebrated in August, there’s usually a mock war between the different tribes, and they are dressed in traditional clothing. There are other performances and attractions as well.
In East Java, the active volcano Mount Bromo sees a good number of Tenggerese people come together to ask for blessings and more importantly to ask for another year free of eruptions. People present rice, vegetables, fruits, animals and other local produce to the God of the Mountain.
A Buddhis celebration often celebrated in the month of May or June, this festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. In Borobodur, which is the largest Buddhist monument in the world, thousands of monks and pilgrims come together and join in the celebrations.
Bali’s Hindu festival which celebrates and invites gods to come down to earth, while at the same time driving away evil spirits using firecrackers and incantations, is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.
The biggest national festival is the Indonesian Independence Day which is celebrated on 17th August every year.
There are also specific festivals held in different parts of Indonesia, which are each unique and enticing in their own way. Indonesia festivals see everyone coming together and celebrating the day with excitement and happiness.
If you want to visit Indonesia during any of their festivals, then do check the SOTC website so you can avail of the exciting offers and deals on our Indonesia tour packages.
