The village of Songan is situated on the shore of Lake Batur, in Bangli Regency; 12 km from Penelokan or one hour-walk or drive on the single line from Toya Bungkah. Songan is also accessible by boat from Kedisan and Toya Bungkah. Songan is small village with a population around 5,000 people with a couple of streets and beautiful temples next to the lake.

Though Songan is quite off of the tourism map but Songan has many interesting view to offer; the best attraction in Songan is its beautiful natural panorama of the surrounding lake and forest. If you want to capture most beautiful view offered by this village; I suggest you to spend a night there get up early and have a shot or two of Songan superb sunrise. The pictures here will explain the beauty of the Songan sunrise for you.

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Serangan is a small island that lies off the Balinese coastline just south of Sanur and has long played an important role in local religious history. Despite its size, there are actually four temple compounds found on the island and Pura Sakenan is considered one of the holiest sites of worship for Balinese Hindu’s.

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This article is featured in 2006 that relates to Galungan, here are details:

8^th November 2006 is the best wedding day for Balinese. For hundreds of years Balinese have been using this day for their wedding day. When somebody asks Balinese the best day for wedding ceremony, this day will be their first answer.

Why?

For Balinese to hold a wedding ceremony on auspicious day is an indispensable matter. They believe that a good wedding day will bring happiness into the family. To find a good day Balinese usually consult the Balinese traditional calendar or ask a priest to choose the right day based on ancient astronomical scripture which is called Wariga. In choosing a good wedding day many considerations have to take, first Balinese traditional calendar is an intricate kind of calendar, compare to Gregorian calendar which used “week cycle” that consist of seven days.

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Today, Redite Pon Julungwangi, Balinese celebrates Siwaratri, here is the interesting article on last year edition:

Tomorrow, on the dark moon of the seventh month based on the Balinese lunar calendar system, Balinese will celebrate the Siwaratri or the Night of Siwa. This holy day is devoted to God Siwa, the destroyer. Balinese believes that on this day, God Siwa, the destroyer meditate for the welfare of the world, and the God Siwa will bestow a pardon for all sin to someone if he accompany the God Siwa in his meditation by observing some self restriction and meditate on the night of Siwaratri.

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The Brata (self-restriction) of Siwaratri includes Jagra (staying awake all night long), Upawasa (fasting), and Monabrata (silence). There are three major level of self- restriction, Balinese can choose a level of self-restriction according to his capability. The Kakawin (old poetry prayer) of Siwaratrikalpa explains the three major level of self- restriction that should take place on the Siwaratri night as follow Utama (top self-restriction) includes Brata (self-restriction) like Monabrata (silence), Upawasa (fasting) and Jagra (staying awake all night long). Madya (middle self-restriction) includes Upawasa (fasting) and Jagra (staying awake all night long). Nista (lowest self-restriction) includes only Jagra (staying awake all night long). The Brata (self-restriction) is held over a period of 36 hours, starting with the sunrise on January 17 until the sunset of ‘Tilem Kepitu’ on January 18, 2007.

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Source from “Traces of Gods and Men — Temples and Rituals as Landmarks of Social Events and Processes in South Bali Village” by Brigitta Hauser-Schäublin

The historical scenery of Bali unfold from a third perspective as well: Nusa Penida, especially the region of Dalem Peed, which had (and still has) numerous connections with the southern coast of Bali. These connections are found on various levels, as well as in regard to time. But these levels cannot be clearly separated, since over the years they have become blended in the oral traditions.

Nusa Penida lies off the coast of south Bali. Its steep cliffs and mountainous countryside, with its highest elevation, the Gunung Mundi (529 m), are clearly visible. Even though the island seems within reach, it is difficult to get to because the ocean current is particularly strong, and depending on the season, it turns the crossing into quite a dangerous adventure. The Balinese reluctantly set out on this journey, and during the rainy season, when the waves are particularly high, they forego it completely.

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Puri Agung Karangasem was built at the end of the 19th century by Anak Agung Agung Gede Jelantik, King of Karangasem and the first Stedeholder in Bali for the Dutch Regime. It was later renovated by his son, the King Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, the second stedeholder in Bali. The Palace has three major parts. Visitors are received in the first compound, called the ‘Bencingah’, which has rooms reserved for specially invited guests to your right and left. Visitors enter through gates made in the stupa or pagoda-style. Noted for its tripartite structure, the gate houses the spirits that guard and protect both host and guest from any evil wrongdoing.

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