Prambanan Temple - Yogyakarta - Visit Indonesia

The Prambanan temple is the biggest and a most beautiful Hindu temple about 20 minutes from Yogyakarta city. This magnificent Shivaite temple derives its name from the village where it is located. Locally known as the Loro Jongrang temple, or the temple of the "Slender Virgin" it is reputed to be the biggest and most beautiful Hindu Temple in Indonesia.

17 kilometers east of Yogyakarta, the temple is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century.

Its parapets are adorned with a bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story. It has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma (all are manifestations of God in Hindu). The main temple of Shiva rises to a high of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue of Shiva's consort, Durga.

Prambanan Temple is beautiful temple, in fact, it is a group of temples. The biggest temple dedicated to Shiva (one of manifestation of God) with two other smaller ones, on its right and on its left, dedicated to Brahma and Wisnhu (manifestation of God) respectively. Reliefs decorating the walls of the temple depict the story of Ramayana. There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.

Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.

Entering Shiva temple, the highest temple and is located in the middle, you will find four rooms. One main room contains Shiva statue, while the other three rooms contain the statues of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga statue is said to be the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the above legend.

In Vishnu temple, to the north of Shiva temple, you will find only one room with Vishnu statue in it. In Brahma temple, to the south of Shiva temple, you find only room as well with Brahma statue in it.

Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located close to Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is of golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings similar to eagle's. It is assumed that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shines') that is associated with the god of the Sun or Re in Old Egypt mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods).

Its ability to save her mother made many people admire it to the present time and it is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird as the symbol of the country. Other country using the same symbol is Thailand, with the same reason but different form adaptation and appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Krut or Pha Krut.

Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. Experts say that the relief is similar to the story of Ramayana that is told orally from generation to generation. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that - in Hindu - the tree is considered tree of life, eternity and environment harmony. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described as flanking a lion. The presence of this tree makes experts consider that Javanese society in the ninth century had wisdom to manage its environment.

Just like Garuda, Kalpataru tree is also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru is used as the logo of Indonesian Environment Institution. Some intellectuals in Bali even develop "Tri Hita Karana" concept for environment conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. This tree of life is also seen in the gunungan (the puppet used as an opening of traditional puppet show or wayang kulit). This proves that relief panels in Prambanan have been widely known throughout the world.

If you see the relief in detail, you will see many birds on them; they are real birds as we can see on the earth right now. Relief panels of such birds are so natural that biologists can identify their genus. One of them is the relief of the Yellow-Crest Parrot (Cacatua sulphurea) that cites unanswered question. The reason is that the bird only exists in Masakambing Island, an island in the middle of Java Sea. Then, did the bird exist in Yogyakarta? No body has succeeded in revealing the mystery.

You can discover many more things in Prambanan. You can see relief of Wiracarita Ramayana based on oral tradition. If you feel tired of enjoying the relief, you can take a rest in the beautiful garden in the complex. Since 18 September 2006, you can enter zone 1 area of Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on 27 May 2006 is being reconstructed. Please come and enjoy Prambanan temple.

Yogyakarta - Visit Indonesia

Yogyakarta Special Region (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, DIY) is officially one of Indonesia's 32 provinces. Yogyakarta is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. This region is located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram from which present day Yogyakarta has the best inherited of traditions. The city itself has a special charm, which seldom fails to captivate the visitor.

This province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. The city came into being in 1755, after the Mataram division into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, wayang kulit (leather puppet), theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in arts such batiks, silver and leather works. Next to the traditional, contemporary art has found fertile soil in Yogya's culture oriented society. ASRI, the Academy of Fine Arts is the center of arts and Yogyakarta itself has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist, the late Affandi.
The culture Yogyakarta province with its status as a special region lies in the Southern part of Central Java, in the heartland of Javanese culture. As the former capital and the center of several kingdoms in the past, this region and its people are very rich in a variety of cultures. It is widely known from to historical records that the civilization, art and culture had developed well in the center of those kingdoms respectively in the Ancient Mataram Kingdom (8th - 10th Century) era, the second Mataram Kingdom (17th - 18th Century) and Sultanate Ngayogyokarto from the mid of 18th Century up today.
It should be noted that the cultural heritage from the past includes the magnificent temples, the ruins of palaces and monasteries, the various kind of traditions, cultural events, traditional folk and performing arts, architecture and other traditional activities. It is important to note that this is all part of the living culture of Yogyakarta, color of daily activities of live and the local inhabitants behavior, particularly the Javanese community with its traditional way of life and customs. Therefore, because of its culture richness and heritage, Yogyakarta has long been known as the cradle of Javanese culture.

The other legendary name for Yogyakarta City, among the elders as well as the youth generation that is the City of Art and Culture. Traditional and modern exhibition are held almost every day and night about the art of theater, pantomime, music, classic and contemporary dances, poems, etc. Those are flow in the heart of the city. Even more, there are abundant of cultural ceremony, such as Sekaten, Gunungan, Labuhan, Malioboro Fair, etc, which make the city has high value of tradition, art, and culture.

Diving and Surfing - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

Bali, as an island, is surrounded by sea. All year-long, sunshine gives you a chance to enjoy many offshore attractions.

Diving and snorkeling are among major attractions in Bali. Divers can view various marine creatures, such as colorful tropical fish and coral reefs. The best time for diving here is in the dry season that lasts from April to October, when warmer temperatures invite more fish and the objects can be clearly viewed.

Bali offers a lot of sites for beginners and professional divers, with some of them adjacent to the shore with abundant colorful hard and soft corals. Once you start diving, a wide variety of marine life, such as dolphins, rays, turtle, sea snakes and moray eels will greet you.

The locations for diving and snorkeling in Bali spread out along Bali's sea. The popular sites are located on the southern part: Sanur and Nusa Island (Lembongan and Nusa Penida); in the western part are Labuan Lalang, Menjangan Island, an uninhabited island with some of the best diving in Bali; in the north of the island is Lovina that will undoubtedly satisfy your diving needs. On the east coast are Amed where virgin nature can be enjoyed, Tulamben, Candidasa and Padang Bay also.

Surfing can be done everyday in Bali. Bali's magnificent surfing was introduced by Australian surfers at the end of 60's, and since then, Bali has become a paradise for surfers. Not just because of various choices for beaches and breaks, but surfing in Bali can be done everyday! Perfect wave to ride on are always available somewhere on this island. Kuta and Ulawatu are recognized for their magnificent surfing waves.

Out-standing reef breaks are found in Kuta and Sanur. Sanur reef is a real pleasure because, here you will find a tube-forming wave that will carry you back to the seashore and in this way, it is unnecessary for you to paddle like a madman.

Adventure Parks - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

Bali offers not just various customs but also various "adrenalin pump" parks. Many exciting amusements are available in Bali, with something new opening all time. The number of offshore and inland attraction are on the rise because many tourists want them.

After white water rafting that has gained popularity in Bali, comes offshore rafting or ocean rafting. The more adventurous sort of amusement has now become an alternative sport for tourists. Just try it. Your heart will beat faster, especially when your boat hits two meter-high waves at high speed but even so, just like any other adventure sport, safety is the first priority. Meanwhile white water rafting is still a popular activity with trips on the Ayung, Telaga Waja, Unda rivers, etc. You can refresh your mind by watching beautiful scenery along the route.

If you do not want to push your heart so hard, paradigling is a good choice and an exciting way to see Bali from the air. If wind conditions are right, you can view Bali from a very different perspective. If you are a beginner, a professional instructor will accompany you to ride in tandem. So, there is nothing to worry about.

For people with strong confidence and no heart problems, a must is bungy jumping and slingshot. Slingshot will shoot you up skyward so you can feel like a bullet. Bungy jumping offers you a chance to take the plunge. You can choose your view, wanna Kuta's view (in Kuta) or natural waterfal's view in Gianyar.

For your entire family, Waterbom Park is an excellent day out for adult and children. It offers five different water slides and a lazy river. You can relax by the pool that has underwater music and swim-to bar.

If you want to experience "war in paradise" Fantasy Bali Splat Mas-Jungle Skirmish is the place for you. It is a war game, where the point is to capture your opposing team's flag and kill the enemy with paintballs.

Ngaben in Bali - Death & Cremation - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese life but often the last ceremony-cremation-is the biggest. A Balinese cremation can be an amazing, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In fact it often takes so long to organize a cremation that years have passed since the death. During that time the body is temporarily buried. Of course an auspicious day must be chosen for the cremation and since a big cremation can be very expensive business many less wealthy people may take the opportunity of joining in at a larger cremation and sending their own dead on their way at the same time. Brahmans, however, must be cremated immediately. Apart from being yet another occasion for Balinese noise and confusion it's a fine opportunity to observe the incredible energy the Balinese put into creating real works of art which are totally ephemeral. A lot more than a body gets burnt at the cremation. The body is carried from the burial ground (or from the deceased's home if it's an 'immediate' cremation) to the cremation ground in a high, multi-tiered tower made of bamboo, paper, string, tinsel, silk, cloth, mirrors, flowers and anything else bright and colorful you can think of. The tower is carried on the shoulders of a group of men, the size of the group depending on the importance of the deceased and hence the size of the tower. The funeral of a former rajah high priest may require hundreds of men to tote the tower.

A long the way to the cremation ground certain precautions must be taken to ensure that the deceased's spirit does not find its way back home. Loose spirits around the house can be a real nuisance. To ensure this doesn't happen requires getting the spirits confused as to their whereabouts, which you do by shaking the tower, running it around in circles, spinning it around, throwing water at it, generally making the trip to the cremation ground anything but a stately funeral crawl. Meanwhile, there's likely to be a priest halfway up to tower, hanging on grimly as it sways back and forth, and doing his best to soak bystanders with holy water. A gamelan sprints along behind, providing a suitably exciting musical accompaniment. Camera-toting tourists get all but run down and once again the Balinese prove that ceremonies and religion are there to be enjoyed. At the cremation ground the body is transferred to a funeral sarcophagus, this should be in the shape of a bull for a Brahmana, a winged lion for a Satria and a sort of elephant-fish for a Sudra. These days, however, almost anybody from the higher castes will use a bull. Finally up it all goes in flames funeral tower, sarcophagus, body, the lot. The eldest son does his duty by poking through the ashes to ensure that there are no bits of body left unburned. And where does your soul go after your cremation? Why, to a heaven which is just like Bali!

The Welcome Dance - Balinese Dance - Visit Indonesia

The Panyembrama is probably the most popular Balinese social dance. In keeping with its meaning in the Balinese Language, Panymebrama is frequently staged to welcome guests of honour who are making a visit to this islands of the Gods.

Four or eight young girls bearing a bokor, a heavily engraved bowl made from silver or aluminium, laden with flowers, dance expressively to the accompaniment of vibrant gamelan music.

During the dance, the flowers are scattered over the guest or audience as an expression of welcome. The Panymebrama has taken many of its movements from temple dances, such as the Rejang Dance, Pendet and Gabor, which are considered sacred and performed exclusively for God. There is an analogy between the secular Panymebrama and the religious temple dances, as all these dances are welcoming dances, the difference being in the place in which they are stage.

The Tari Panymebrama comes under the Balinese classification of Legong (individual dances), because it has no connection with other dances, has no story and was specifically created for welcoming and entertainment purposes.

The hospitality and friendliness conveyed through the smiles of the Panymebrama girls, charms the audience and so is very fitting as an opening for a show, etc.

The Ramayana - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

The story of the Ramayana greatly inspires the Balinese. Many of their dances are based on this great story which is often depicted in a ballet.

The Balinese version differs from the Indian Version. It is told that Rama, as the first son in a family, was the heir to the Ayodya kingdom but the king's second wife, through her treachery forced the king to crown her own son as the King of Ayodya and asked him to send Rama and his wife into exile.

Because he respected his father, Rama went with his wife called Sita and his beloved younger brother, Laksmana into a forest called Dandaka. Usually the first act of the ballet depicts Rama and entourage in the heart of the Dandaka forest.

Rahwana, the evil King of Alengka, enchanted by the beauty of Sita, wanted to have her as his concubine. He sent one of his knights, Marica, to temp Sita by transforming himself into a golden deer. Sita, captivated by her curiosity, asked her husband to catch the golden deer.

The next act explains how Rama succeeds in hunting the golden deer but as his arrow struck the golden deer it transformed back into Marica. Meanwhile Sita heard a distant cry for help. Laksmana, who had been asked by his brother to look after his sister-in-law, tried to explain to her that the cry sounds very suspicious. But nevertheless, Sita was convinced that someone was in need of help. So she sent Laksmana to look for this person and to help whoever it is. In his desperate attempt, Laksmana asked Sita, no matter what would happen, to stay inside the guarding circle that he created.

Rahwana, knowing that Sita was protected by the circle transforms himself into an old priest. He approaches Sita and asks her for a drink. Sita, without hesitation, extends her hands beyond the circle to hand him the water. Rahwana takes the advantage, snatches her hand and takes her to his palace in Alengka.

On the way, Rahwana encounters a mighty eagle Jatayu. By every means possible, Jatayu tries to rescue Sita from the evil king but fails and is killed by Rahwana.

Rama and Laksmana find the dying Jatayu who tells them the whole story of what had happened to Sita.

In his attempt to release his wife, Rama seeks the help from Hanoman and his monkey soldiers. Hanoman finds Sita in the palace's garden. She had been asked by Rahwana to marry him but she would rather die. Hanoman convinces Sita that he is Rama's messenger and talks of a plan.

Rahwana catches Hanoman and burns his tail but in so doing, set fire to the palace's' gardens. The pyrotechnics can be very impressive.

In the last act, Rama and his troops are depicted attacking Rakhwana's palace. Finally Rama manages to kill Rahwana and therefore takes his wife back to his country.
The abridged version ends here but if you see paintings in Kamasan style based on the Ramayana story, you would notice that in the last of serialised paintings, Sita had to prove she was still pure, and had not been tainted by Rahwana, by plunging herself into a fire. Because of her faith in her husband, God saved her from the fire and she lived happily ever after with Rama.

The Indian version reveals a very different ending with Sita saved by Mother Earth, never returning to her husband.

Bunut Bolong, Unique Tree - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

Bunut Bolong is a sacred and unique tree that has a hole on the body and it's located right on the road. The name Bunut Bolong is given due to the unique characteristic of this tree. The word "bunut" is Balinese name for a species of fig family which has similar characteristic with banyan tree, and the word "bolong" means "hole", so the word "Bunut Bolong" means a bunut tree which has a hole in it. As a matter fact, this sacred tree has a big hole in the bottom of it, so big that a road can through it and the diameter of the hole can accommodate two cars side by side. Bunut Bolong also have a strong magical aura that believed by all people who live near the tree area.

Bunut Bolong is located in Manggisari Village, Subdistrict of Pekutatan, Jembrana Regency. It's about 11 km to the north from the main Denpasar - Gilimanuk road, 86 km from Denpasar. The sacred tree is situated on the ridge of a hill flanked on east sides by clove plantation and on the west side gorge with excellent lush green tropical forest.The location is able to reach by car or motorcycle as well.

There was a shrine on the side of the road. The set of shrines that accompany this sacred tree is known as Pujangga Sakti Temple that is established to honor the great sage Dang Hyang Sidhi Mantra who happened to pass this area hundreds years ago. In the west there are also forest expanse stretching from south to north is very fascinating to be enjoyed. If standing around Bunut Bolong, we will be able to see pimento plantation.

Bunut bolong as one of tourism destination was still located in a very natural condition. There is no parking area, toilet, restaurant, and souvenir shop. Fresh air and quiet condition of Bunut Bolong will make all tourist who visit it feel relax and peaceful. For this time, Bunut bolong commonly visited by domestic tourist, but foreign tourist also visit this time sometime but not as much as domestic tourist. Bunut Bolong is a great place for those of you who want to visit the tour destination that are still natural and away from the crowds.

Banyuwedang Hot Spring - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

Located in Pajarakan Village, Gerokgak District Buleleng Regency, it's about 60 kms from Singaraja, it's located near the West Bali National park. This beach area also near the Menjangan beach that usually used for Snorkeling or Diving Banyuwedang Hot spring come from the hot spring in the beach area, This hot spring is the largest hot spring in Bali. This hot spring contain a little of Sulfur, the average temperature is around 40 C. Because of its sulfur, this hots ping believed able to cure a lot of disease. There is a lot of people come to this place with a hope to cure their sickness.

In the beach area of the hotspring, there are a lot of mangrove (actually this hotspring located in the middle of mangrove forest), so this area was free from abrasion. There also a creek with a white shore in this hotspring area, this make banyuwedang hotspring even more beautiful than what you have been thinking.
The domestic tourist was dominated the visit to this area, they come with a hope to cure their sickness, lot of domestic tourist come from Banyuwangi, Java. This make goverment of the Bali regency planning to make this area as a "Health Tourism".

Bali handicrafts and Furniture - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

He source of Bali handicrafts where you are able to find various type of handicraft such as Bali Wood carving, Air brush key chain, Wooden statue, Abstacts statue, Bali natural Book, Bali leaf album, Mosaic mirror, Wooden mask, Wooden flower, Lombok handicrafts, Bali bag, Bali sandals, Bali traditional music, bali & lombok pottery, Bali Painting, and many more.

Bali Furniture choices are wide and varied from old recycle teakwood reproduction antique, through most centuries to modern contemporary tropical furniture. Balinese furniture styles include teak indoor and outdoor, Garden / Patio furniture, Woven furniture, featuring Synthetic or organic materials, Rattan, Banana Leaf, Water Hyacinth and Sea Grass or a combination of wood and all of the above fibers. All furniture products are of the highest quality and suitable for resort, hotel projects or refurbishments, private residences and retail.

Bali Stone Carving - Bali Island - Visit Indonesia

Bali Stones Carving was built from long term experience in the production of stone carving like garden statue, budha statue, religius statue, wall decoration, wall relief, water fountain for out door decoration and indoor decoration, etc.

Mostly all of our stone carving are made from original black vulcanic stone and white palimanan soft stone. But we also could provide many of stone work aspecially for water fountain that are made from mix material of cement, limestone and black sand.

Our Factory is located at Singapadu village which has been well known as a “home of sculpture”. We have more then 15 years manufacture experience and can supply you the best quality with very competitive price. All of our stone carving are manpowered by craftsmen and skilled technicians from the home of Balinese sculpture.

Based from our experiences, we become one of the world's finest producers of indoor statue and outdoor statue for home decoration. We could provide an excellent supply of raw materials & skilled labor with a very low overhead costs and very smooth export procedures.

Legong Keraton - Balinese Dance - Bali Island - Indonesia

In legends, Legong is the heavenly dance of divine nymphs. Of all classical Balinese dances, it remains the quintessence of femininity and grace. Girls from the age of five aspire to be selected to represent the community as Legong dancers.

Connoisseurs hold the dance in highest esteem and spend hours discussing the merits of various Legong groups. The most popular of Legongs is the Legong Kraton, Legong of the palace. Formerly, the dance was patronized by local rajas and held in e puri, residence of the royal family of the village. Dancers were recruited from the aptest and prettiest children. Today, the trained dancers arestill- very young; a girl of fourteen approaches the age of retirement as a Legong performer.

The highly stylized Legong Kraton enacts a drama of a most purified and abstract kind. The story is performed ' by three dancers: the condong, a female attendant of the court, and two identically dressed legongs (dancers),who adopt the roles of royal persons. Originally, a storyteller sat with the orchestra and chanted the narrative, but even this has been refined away in many Legongs. Only the suggestive themes of the magnificent gamelan gong (the full Balinese orchestra) and the minds of the audience conjure up imaginary changes of scene in the underlying play of Legong Kraton.

The story derives from the history of East Java in the 1 2th and 1 3th centuries: when on a journey the King of Lasem finds the maiden Rangkesari lost in the forest. He takes her home and locks her in a house of stone. Rangkesari's brother, the Prince of Daha, learns of her captivity and threatens war unless she is set free.

Rangkesari begs her captor to avoid war by giving her liberty, but the king prefers to fight. On his way to battle, he is met by a bird of ill omen that predicts his death. In the fight that ensues he is killed. The dance dramatizes the farewells of the King of Laserm as he departs for the battlefield and his ominous encounter with the bird. It opens with an introductory solo by the condong. She moves with infinite suppleness, dipping to the ground and rising in one unbroken motion, hertorso poised in an arch with elbows and head held high, while fingers dance circles around her wrists. Slowly, her eyes focus on two fans laid before her and, taking them, she turns to meet the arrival of the legongs.

The tiny dancers glitter and dazzle. Bound from head to foot in gold brocade, it is a wonder the legongs can move with such fervent agitation. Yet, the tight composure of the body, balanced by dynamic directive gestures-the flash of an eye, the tremble of two fingers blend in unerring precision.After as hort dance, the condong retires, leaving the legongs to pantomime the story within the dance. Like a controlled line of an exquisite drawl ing, the dancers flowfrom one identity intothel next without disrupting the harmony of t dance. They may enter as the double image one' character, their movements marked tight synchronization and rhythmical verve Then they may split, each enacting a separate role, and come together in complementary halves to form a unified pattern, as in the plan ful love scene in which they "rub noses The King of Lasem bids farewell to his queen, and takes leave of Rangkesari. She repels his advances by beating him with he fananddepartsin anger. lt is then the condong reappears as a bird with wild eyes fixed upon the king. Beating its golden wings to a strange flutter of cymbals, it attacks the king in a vain attempt to dissuade him from war. The ancient narrative relates: ". .. a black bird came flying out of the northeast and swooped down upor the king, who saw it and said, 'Raven, hoi come you to swoop down on me? In spiteo; all, 1 shall go out and fight. This 1 shall do, oh raven!... With the king's decision understood the dance may end; or the other legong may return on stage as his prime minister, and shimmering unison, they whirl thefinal stepsi: war.

Kebyar Duduk Dance - Balinese Dance - Bali Island - Indonesia

By 1919 the style of Kebyar was well established. The King of Tabanan, who served also as the Dutch regent for his province, sent for a Kebyar orchestra (from North Bali) in that year to play at an important cremation.

In the audience was a young and very talented dancer, I Nyoman Mario, who was much impressed by what he heard and who undertook to develop further the possibilities for dance in a new style. His great contribution was ready in 1925, when he presented Kebyar Duduk for the first time.

Mario took the idea of playing the terompong (an old instrument) in virtuoso manner during the performance and developed a flashy style of playing the instrument, with whirling sticks and flourishing gestures. He had to squat behind the instrument to be able to play it, and this suggested that the entire composition might performed in a sitting (duduk) position.

He took the costume from Kebyar Legong, but to move in a squatting position he had to hold up the train with one hand as he moved and this became the hallmark of the dance. The mood of Kebyar Duduk is determined by the music, and the dancer works in close co-ordination with the entire gamelan to interpret its shifting colors.

Many of the basic poses, gestures and longer phrases of movement have been adapted from Legong, but they have been made more intricate, more elaborate, and more artificial.

In Kebyar Duduk there is no pantomime whatever, and the narrative element is absent. The dance is set to a single musical composition which lasts for perhaps twenty minutes. The dance progresses through a sequence of moods of an idealized Balinese youth who is just at the point of reaching full maturity. He expressed a gamut of emotions, ranging from sweet flirtatiousness to bashfulness, melancholy and angry bravado.

Barong Dance - Balinese Dance - Bali Island - Indonesia

There are many Barong dance stages in Bali with regular show, both daily, or certain days that is appointed according to customer they serve. Well known stages are in the town of Batublan and east Denpasar or Kesiman. In the town of Batubulan there are at least 4 stages known so far, but the most active with daily schedule of performance are only 3 which location is close each other. Their location is distributed within 3 km street of the main road that leading from Denpasar to Gianyar city. These 3 Barong dance stages known to have also enough space for parking the car or buses. One stage is just on the side of the road known as Barong Den Jalan, one is performed at the meeting hall of a temple called Pura Puseh, deep inside the town among the rice terrace yet now there are already many houses for local people also, and the other is performed at the house of a local people which is set up as beautiful traditional Balinese stage for traditional dances. All stages are made in traditional Balinese stages, with typical decoration, moated brick wall and entrance at some places, and typical temple and Balinese meeting hall architecture.

Barong dance which is also known as Barong and Kriss dance is a mixed of Balinese traditional dance, drama and music. The most beautiful woman dance such as Legong Keraton is also presented in other dress attire as the opening or introduction of the dance. Usually by 2 girls followed by Balinese traditional music called Gong. Most Barong dance performance taking the theme of the performance from Mahabharata Epic, especially the period of Nakula and Sahadewa. The story is correlated with the struggle between the benevolence and bad spirit. The story presented for Barong dance has been strongly influenced by the school of Tantrayana Buddhist. This is shown by the personalization of good spirit with Barong dance, a creature resembling a tiger, and the bad spirit by a witch with ugly physical appearance, even frightening. The whole plot of the of the performance is always inserted with the moments of dialog between both the main figures and the servants or jokes. The music is played to strengthen or downturn the tension of the situation among the figures. So this type of performance can be said it is a mixed performance between dance, drama and clown.

The dance is started at 9.30 AM with the rhythmic of Balinese traditional music called Gong. After 5 or 10 minutes the melody of Gong change suddenly and from the screen appear 2 girls with Balinese traditional beautiful dressing. These 2 girls perform the most feminism dance, showing how beautiful is the body of women and their ability to move very flexibly, following the tension and downturn of the music. Finalizing the dance, the Prime Minister of the kingdom of Ayodya Pura appears on the stage, expressing his difficult position in the kingdom as the Princess wish to sacrifice her 2 youngest sons to the king of Demon. The Prime Minister is getting pressure from high dignitaries to refuse the plan of the Princess, and is ordered to present before the Princess expressing the reason that the sacrifice is not necessary. Yet the people have been to much suffering from the disease and malicious action of the demon if the sons are not sacrificed. It is a great dilemma for the Princes, weather she should depend her sons or the people. With the explanation the Prime Minister promise to the Princess that he will do his utmost to fight the demon and safe the people and the young princess. Following the disappearance of Prime Minister and the Princess from the stage appear the servants of the Demon with ugly faces performing disoriented dances. This is to show how frightening is the existence of a demon with it's servants. Here the two main clowns appear on the stage and fight the demon servants. Most Barong dance have good clowns, as this part is actually the most interesting for the people who are able to make people laughing with her action on the stage. for those who do not even understand the language they spoken on the stage. The defeat of Demon servant following by the appearance of Princess with the Prime Minister again in a quarrel for disagreement of the scarification of the youngest sons. Yet the king of Demon knows the conflict and soon send magic influence to the Prime Minister and change their mind to agree. Then the Prime Minister drag the 2 sons to be tied on a tree in the forest to be sacrificed to the king of Demon. As soon as Prime Minister left the boys in the forest the king of Demon appear on the stage which is called Rangda. The appearance of Rangda is really frightening in the perception of Balinese. Long fangs and teeth, big and long breasts, curling and messy long hair, hand nails are arching and long. With short dance by the player of Rangda, then she soon approach the tied son, yet suddenly the holy spirit of Bhatara Guru presence and safe the boys. In the situation of really disoriented, the Barong appear on the stage fight the Rangda. No one of them can defeat each other, and soon the servant of Barong around 10 or more men in checquered cloth appear with kriss on hand to defeat Rangda. Yet due to her strong magic power Rangda spread the invisible power to servants. Since they are stirred by the magic, they in contrary stab themselves with their own Kriss. Some of the servants got trance and other still dancing while stabbing themselves seriously as it is seemed to be. A Pemangku or local priest with all white dress then appear with holy water and spread the holy water to the trance servants. Condition is now returned to normal, and the dance is finalized, with the total change of the melody of the music. Most of the guests come down to the dancers standing on the stage to get photo together.

Kecak Dance - Balinese Dance - Bali Island - Indonesia

Painting, woodcarving and dancing reflect the soul of the Balinese. Traditional dances are performed especially on Hindus holiday and also to welcome visitors. The one you see below is ‘Kecak Dance’ which was performed on Galungan, the biggest Hindus holiday, at Pura (temple) Luhur Ulu Watu, up on a cliff at the most southern part of the island. The Kecak Dance tells the Indian story of Ramayana. Rama, a warrior and rightful hier to the throne of Ayodya, is exiled with his wife Sita to a faraway desert. There, an evil king spies Sita, falls in love with her, and sends a golden deer to lure Rama away. Sita is captured, and Rama rounds up his armies to defeat those of the evil king and rescue her. Rama is the man in green dancing in the center of the circle, the golden deer is in yellow in the back.

What makes the Kecak such a fascinating dance to watch are the fifty or so men in the checkered pants. They are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors. They don't sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.

The dance is played in five acts and lasts roughly 45 minutes. Weekly (in some places daily) performances of the Kecak abound around the island, but the most well-known Kecak theater is in the town of Batubulan just north of the Balinese capital of Denpasar. The dance company provides transportation for a nominal fee to and from the resort.

Attending a Kecak recital is a must for any visitor to Bali. It is a wondrous experience, and a window into the musical and artistic culture that make the Balinese a special people.

Sangeh - Bali Island - Indonesia

It is located near to Sangeh village; the renowned 6 hectares of Bali Sangeh Monkey Forest are filled with giant nutmeg trees capable of growing as high as 40m. Sangeh Monkey Forest near the village of Sangeh, in southwestern Bali, has six hectares of forestland with giant nutmeg trees. The main attractions here are the hordes of funny yet wise Balinese monkeys inhabiting both the trees and the temple, Pura Bukit Sari, found in the heart of the forest. The monkeys of the forest are believed to be sacred and indeed will approach anyone paying respects at the temple. But visitors should be aware that these monkeys are attracted to shiny objects, so cameras and jeweler should be left behind or kept well hidden under clothes or in a bag when exploring Sangeh Bali.

Near Sangeh village, about 20 km north of Denpasar. This forest of approximately 6 hectares is filled with giant nutmeg trees that can grow up to 40m high. The main attractions are the hordes of Balinese monkeys that inhabit the trees and the temple, Pura Bukit sari, located in the heart of the forest. The temple, Pura Bukit Sari, was originally built around the 17th century as an agricultural temple and has been restored several times, most recently in 1973. In the central courtyard, a large statue of Garuda, an old carving of uncertain date, symbolizes freedom from suffering and the attainment of amerta, the elixir of life. The forest of nutmeg trees in which it lies was presumably planted deliberately a long time ago, for it is unique in Bali.