The existence of Caka Lunar Calendar was the basis history that ended the hostilities among Indian tribes. They were Pahlawa, Yuehchi, Yuwana, Malawa, and Caka. They were fighting each other to have power. The Cakas were tired with this condition, so they changed their way of struggle not to defeat for power but for culture and prosperity.

125 BC the Kushana Dynasty from Yuehchi run India and was touched by the Caka’s effort, so the Kushana decided not to defeat the other tribes but it is used to tug all tribes in India by collecting every culture and put it as part of the palace culture. In year 79 AC, King Kaniska I from Kushana Dynasty and Yuehchi let the Caka Lunar Calendar system as the palace calendar. And on that day the tolerance among the Indian tribes arose. Due to the tolerance and unity, the Caka Lunar Calender System expanded through the spreading of Hindu.

In Indonesia, the Caka Lunar Calendar had been extended in the 4th century as the Hindu expansion. It was brought by Aji Caka, a priest of Caka Tribe from Kshatrapa Gujarat (India).

In Bali, the celebration of Caka Lunar Calendar is celebrated annually by doing Nyepi which means sepi (silent) on March or early of April. It is based on Lontar Sundarigama and Sanghyang Aji Swamandala (Hindu’s manuscript). The philosophy of Nyepi itself is to control our senses through catur brata penyepian (four ways to control ourselves); amati geni (to turn off the fire – the fire of anger, fire of passion), amati karya (not doing any work/activity except focusing on God), amati lelungan (not going anywhere), and amati lelanguan (far from the worldly pleasure). So, what is the correlation between the philosophy of Nyepi and the environment preservation?

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The Balinese lunar calendar is filled with auspicious days of religious and cultural significance. There will be yet another ceremonial occasion on Saturday, September 30, 2006 known as Tumpek Landep.

The word ‘landep’ in the high-caste Balinese dialect means ‘sharp’ and traditionally this day is where tools and family heirlooms of weaponry, such as sacred swords or keris (double edged dagger with wavy blade), are sanctified.

Although not every Balinese family owns a keris, those who do treat it with respect. Historically a keris was not just seen as a mere weapon, it was revered for possessing protective magical powers and was an indication of social status. Keris that date back to the Majapahit era are renowned and have become collectors’ items around the world. The keris is a symbolic part of the male costume in many traditional Balinese dances as well as being part of a groom’s wedding attire.

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