For travellers with an interest in experiencing the spiritual atmosphere and local wisdom of Bali, understanding the Balinese Calendar 2024 is a gateway to a unique and profound experience on the Island of a Thousand Temples.
It is important for tourists not to view Bali merely as an ordinary destination, but also as a journey into the daily life of its people. By understanding the Balinese Calendar 2024, we can uncover the meaning behind every ceremony and ritual that colours everyday life on the island.
In this ultimate guide for tourists on the Balinese Calendar 2024, we will explore far more than just public holidays and religious observances (rerainan). The Balinese Calendar does not simply mark the passage of time — it captures the essence of daily life and the spiritual rhythm of the Balinese people. In this article, we will examine each month in detail, explore the philosophical significance behind each wuku cycle, and immerse ourselves in a rich and profound culture.
Let us together explore and celebrate the diversity, spirituality, and beauty of the Island of the Gods through this guide. Happy reading, and enjoy the adventure.
Taken from the Digital Balinese Calendar, here is the Balinese Calendar for January 2024, complete with wuku cycles and their prohibitions (ingkel):
Ukir Mahayeki — Ingkel Mina:
Prohibition: Harming fish; not a favourable time to begin keeping fish.
Schedule:
Monday, 1 January 2024
Tuesday, 2 January 2024
Wednesday, 3 January 2024
Thursday, 4 January 2024
Friday, 5 January 2024
Saturday, 6 January 2024
Kulantir Lungsur — Ingkel Manuk:
Prohibition: Harming any type of poultry; not a favourable time to begin keeping poultry.
Schedule:
Sunday, 7 January 2024
Monday, 8 January 2024
Tuesday, 9 January 2024
Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Thursday, 11 January 2024
Friday, 12 January 2024
Saturday, 13 January 2024
Tolu Bayu — Ingkel Taru:
Prohibition: Felling trees for use as building materials; also not a favourable time for planting trees.
Schedule:
Sunday, 14 January 2024
Monday, 15 January 2024
Tuesday, 16 January 2024
Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Thursday, 18 January 2024
Friday, 19 January 2024
Saturday, 20 January 2024
Gumbreg Candra — Ingkel Buku:
Prohibition: Cutting or felling any jointed plants such as bamboo, sugarcane, and the like.
Schedule:
Sunday, 21 January 2024
Monday, 22 January 2024
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Thursday, 25 January 2024
Friday, 26 January 2024
Saturday, 27 January 2024
Wariga Asmara — Ingkel Wong:
Prohibition: Performing Yadnya ceremonies or any activity relating to human affairs, such as weddings.
Schedule:
Sunday, 28 January 2024
Monday, 29 January 2024
Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Major Balinese Holidays in January 2024:
3 January 2024: Buda Wage Ukir — offerings to Sang Hyang Sri Nini, the Dewa Sadhana who bestows abundance, prosperity, and wealth upon humanity. Not an auspicious day for making payments.
5 January 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri
9 January 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
9 January 2024: Anggar Kasih Kulantir — worship of Bhatara Mahadewa
9 January 2024: Siwa Ratri
10 January 2024: Tilem (dark moon)
15 January 2024: Soma Umanis Tolu — worship of Bhatara-Bhatari at the merajan/paibon family shrine.
24 January 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Enyitan
24 January 2024: Buda Keliwon Gumbreg
25 January 2024: Purnama (full moon)
Rerainan are sacred occasions observed by Balinese Hindus, particularly in February 2024. The schedule is as follows:
3 February 2024: Tumpek Uduh/Pengatag/Pengarah/Bubuh
5 February 2024: Soma Paing Warigadean
7 February 2024: Buda Wage Warigadean
8 February 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
9 February 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri
9 February 2024: Tilem
13 February 2024: Anggar Kasih Julungwangi
22 February 2024: Sugihan Jawa
23 February 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Enyitan
23 February 2024: Sugihan Bali
24 February 2024: Purnama
25 February 2024: Hari Penyekeban
26 February 2024: Penyajaan Galungan
27 February 2024: Penampahan Galungan
28 February 2024: Hari Raya Galungan
29 February 2024: Manis Galungan
There are only two public holidays in February 2024:
8 February 2024: Isra Mi’raj of the Prophet Muhammad SAW
10 February 2024: Chinese New Year 2575 Kongzili
Optional holidays are days off determined by local government. The following are optional holidays in February 2024:
27 February 2024: Penampahan Galungan
28 February 2024: Hari Raya Galungan
29 February 2024: Umanis Galungan
Key dates in the Balinese Calendar for March 2024:
02-03-2024: Pemaridan Guru
03-03-2024: Ulihan
04-03-2024: Pemacekan Agung
06-03-2024: Buda Paing Kuningan
08-03-2024: Penampahan Kuningan
09-03-2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
09-03-2024: Hari Raya Kuningan
10-03-2024: Tilem
11-03-2024: Hari Raya Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence)
13-03-2024: Buda Wage Langkir
15-03-2024: Hari Bhatara Sri
19-03-2024: Anggar Kasih Medangsia
24-03-2024: Purnama
The Balinese Calendar for April 2024 features a series of significant religious events and celebrations. Here is a summary of the key occasions:
3 April 2024: Buda Keliwon Pegatuwakan. On this day, Balinese Hindus make offerings as an expression of gratitude to Sang Hyang Widi for His grace in ensuring the smooth celebration of Galungan and Kuningan.
8 April 2024: Tilem. A sacred occasion during which Hindus engage in reflection and religious rituals during the dark moon.
13 April 2024: Tumpek Krulut. A day of worship to Ida Sang Hyang Widi/Bhatara Iswara at the Sanggah Kemulan shrine, with prayers for the safety of the Hindu community.
17 April 2024: Buda Wage Merakih. Offerings and worship directed to Bhatara Rambut Sedana, also known as Sang Hyang Rambut Kadhala.
19 April 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri. A celebration in honour of Sang Hyang Bhatara Sri.
23 April 2024: Anggar Kasih Tambir. A significant occasion for paying reverence to spiritual forces.
23 April 2024: Purnama. The full moon celebration, rich in spiritual meaning.
30 April 2024: Anggara Paing Medangkungan. A holy day for worshipping Ida Sanghyang Widi/Bhatara Brahma at the Merajan Kawitan or Paibon ancestral shrine.
For those seeking information about celebrations in May, here is the Balinese Calendar as a guide:
8 May 2024: Tilem. An important moment in the Balinese Calendar marking the dark moon.
8 May 2024: Buda Keliwon Matal. Celebrated with various ceremonies and offerings in accordance with religious tradition.
18 May 2024: Tumpek Kandang. A sacred day marked by a ceremony of blessing for domestic animals and livestock, as an act of worship to Sang Rare Angon, the divine protector of livestock.
22 May 2024: Buda Wage Menail. A day observed with rituals and offerings in accordance with Balinese Hindu beliefs.
22 May 2024: Purnama. The full moon celebration, with its own unique spiritual significance.
23 May 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan. A religious event filled with deep spiritual meaning.
24 May 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri. An important day dedicated to paying respect to Sang Hyang Bhatara Sri.
Here is the Balinese Calendar for June 2024, complete with Hindu holy days.
6 June 2024: Tilem.
12 June 2024: Buda Keliwon Ugu.
21 June 2024: Purnama.
22 June 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan.
22 June 2024: Tumpek Wayang. On this date, a ceremony related to the arts — particularly wayang shadow puppetry — is held, with offerings to Bhatara Iswara to pray for the preservation, delight, and auspiciousness of the art form.
26 June 2024: Buda Wage Kulawu. A day of worship for Bhatara Rambut Sedhana, the deity who bestows prosperity and wellbeing.
28 June 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri.
So that you do not miss any rerainan or religious holidays, here are the key dates in the Balinese Calendar for July 2024.
02-07-2024: Anggar Kasih Dukut
06-07-2024: Tilem
07-07-2024: Kajeng Keliwon Pamelastali / Watugunung Runtuh
09-07-2024: Paid-Paidan
10-07-2024: Hari Urip
11-07-2024: Hari Patetegan
12-07-2024: Hari Pangredanaan
13-07-2024: Hari Raya Saraswati
14-07-2024: Banyu Pinaruh
15-07-2024: Soma Ribek
16-07-2024: Sabuh Mas
17-07-2024: Pagerwesi
20-07-2024: Purnama
22-07-2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
27-07-2024: Tumpek Landep
28-07-2024: Redite Umanis Ukir
31-07-2024: Buda Wage Ukir
Here are the details of the Balinese Calendar for August 2024, along with the special days in the Hindu tradition to take note of:
2 August 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri
4 August 2024: Tilem
6 August 2024: Anggar Kasih Kulantir. On this day, a ceremony of worship is held in honour of Bhatara Mahadewa.
12 August 2024: Soma Umanis Tolu. An occasion to worship Bhatara-Bhatari at the merajan or paibon family shrine.
19 August 2024: Purnama
21 August 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
21 August 2024: Buda Kliwon Gumbreg
31 August 2024: Tumpek Uduh/Pengatag/Pengarah/Bubuh. This day marks the commemoration of “Prosperity,” with special ceremonies held to celebrate abundance and blessings.
Important Hindu holy days in September 2024:
2 September 2024: Soma Paing Warigadean
3 September 2024: Tilem
4 September 2024: Buda Wage Warigadean
6 September 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri
10 September 2024: Anggar Kasih Julungwangi
17 September 2024: Purnama
19 September 2024: Sugihan Jawa
20 September 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
20 September 2024: Sugihan Bali
22 September 2024: Hari Panyekeban
23 September 2024: Penyajaan Galungan
24 September 2024: Penampahan Galungan
25 September 2024: Hari Raya Galungan
26 September 2024: Manis Galungan
28 September 2024: Pemaridan Guru
29 September 2024: Ulihan
30 September 2024: Pemacekan Agung
Here is the Balinese Calendar for October 2024:
02 October 2024: Buda Paing Kuningan
02 October 2024: Tilem
04 October 2024: Penampahan Kuningan
05 October 2024: Hari Raya Kuningan
09 October 2024: Buda Wage Langkir
11 October 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri
15 October 2024: Anggar Kasih Medangsia
17 October 2024: Purnama
20 October 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
30 October 2024: Buda Keliwon Pegatuwakan
Here is the Balinese Calendar for November 2024:
Friday, 1 November 2024: Tilem
Saturday, 9 November 2024: Tumpek Krulut
Wednesday, 13 November 2024: Buda Wage Merakih
Friday, 15 November 2024: Hari Bhatara Sri
Saturday, 16 November 2024: Purnama
Tuesday, 19 November 2024: Anggar Kasih Tambir
Tuesday, 19 November 2024: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
Tuesday, 26 November 2024: Anggara Paing Medangkungan
Saturday, 30 November 2024: Tilem
Here is the Balinese Calendar for December 2024:
4th: Buda Keliwon Matal
14th: Tumpek Kandang
15th: Purnama
18th: Buda Wage Menail
19th: Kajeng Keliwon Uwudan
20th: Hari Bhatara Sri
30th: Tilem
9th: Indonesian Navy Day
10th: Human Rights Day
12th: Transmigration Day
15th: Infantry Day
19th: Trikora Day
20th: National Social Solidarity Day
22nd: Mother’s Day
22nd: KOWAD Day (Women’s Army Corps)
25th: Christmas Day
27th: Indonesia Joins the United Nations Day
Ala Ayuning Dewasa (inauspicious days)
Finding Dewasa Ayu (auspicious days)
Piodalan at the temple (temple anniversary)
Dauh Ayu (favourable hours)
KBK Print Guide
In addition to following the Gregorian calendar, the Hindu community on the Island of the Gods remains devoted to the Balinese Calendar as the primary reference for observing major religious celebrations. It is therefore unsurprising that information about the Balinese Calendar — including December 2024 — is highly sought after by both local residents and tourists.
It contains numerous important dates for Hindus living in Bali, making the Balinese Calendar a crucial guide as the year draws to a close. In the book Kearifan Lokal Bali by IGNA Wijaya (2021:63), it is noted that the Balinese people pay great attention to the calculation of the full moon (purnama) and dark moon (tilem) in their spiritual lives. However, it is worth noting that the cyclic system of the Balinese Calendar more closely follows the solar cycle.
Overall, the Balinese Calendar is known as a Luni-Solar calendar, in which each sasih (month) is determined by the lunar cycle, beginning on the first day after tilem and ending on the following tilem. The duration of each tilem cycle is approximately 29.53125 days. The length of the year, meanwhile, is determined by the solar cycle, calculated from the moment the sun crosses the equator on its journey northward until it reaches the next vernal equinox.
The Balinese Calendar continues to follow the syamsiah-kamariah (luni-solar) system — combining calculations of both the sun (surya) and moon (candra). The Saptawara, the week in the Balinese Calendar, begins with Redite (equivalent to Sunday in the Gregorian calendar). The names of the days and weeks — such as Coma, Anggara, Wraspati, Sukra, and others — form a temporal framework that reflects the values of Hindu life.
In addition, the Balinese Calendar incorporates the concept of wuku, comprising 30 cycles — from Sinta and Landep to Ukir and Watugunung. People use the wuku to determine auspicious and inauspicious days, combining them with the wewaran system (Ekawara, Dwiwara, and others). This creates a complex and structured system that serves as a guide for a wide range of activities, from religious ceremonies to agricultural planning.
The Balinese Calendar is not merely a tool for finding one’s otonan (birthday ceremony) or selecting a wedding date — it is an integral part of everyday life for the Balinese people. They use it to manage religious activities, organise their businesses, plan agricultural work, and even time births.
The significance of the pengalantaka — the reference used to set the dates of purnama and tilem — reflects the central role of the Balinese Calendar in determining auspicious and inauspicious days. This tradition serves as a trusted guide for organising all manner of activities, creating harmony between people and nature.
As cited in the book Kajian Sains, Sosial, dan Ilmu Keagamaan: Ilmu Falak Multi Dimensi by the Ministry of Religious Affairs Excellence Scholarship Programme Team (2021), the Balinese Calendar is a dating system developed within the Balinese Hindu community.
It combines elements from the Gregorian Calendar, the Balinese Saka Calendar, and the Tika Calendar. The calendar contains information on important dates, rerainan (religious observances), reflective content, and ingkel (prohibitions) that help determine whether a given day is appropriate or unsuitable for various activities. Here is a guide to the Balinese Calendar dating system:
Each day is measured over a period of twenty-four hours, with the new day beginning at sunrise. One week, known as Saptawara, consists of seven days: Redite, Coma, Anggara, Buda, Wraspati, Sukra, and Saniscara, with the week beginning on Redite, which is equivalent to Sunday in the Gregorian Calendar.
One month consists of five weeks, with the new month beginning after Tilem (the dark moon), marked as Pananggal Ping Pisan. The names of the weeks follow the Wuku System (Pawukon). One year consists of twelve months, with the new year beginning on the Saka New Year — on the first day of Waisakha, or Pananggal Ping Pisan Sasih Kadasa.
Understanding the Balinese Calendar 2024 is important for tourists visiting the Island of the Gods for several key reasons:
Tourists who understand the Balinese Calendar can more actively participate in religious ceremonies, festivals, and local celebrations that may take place during their visit. This provides a deeper experience of Balinese culture and can create truly unforgettable memories.
By knowing the important dates in the Balinese Calendar 2024, tourists can plan their visits to coincide with special celebrations such as Galungan and Kuningan, or other festivals. This offers a unique and immersive experience of local traditions and beliefs.
Some days in the Balinese Calendar may be considered sacred or ceremonially significant, during which certain public activities may be restricted or prohibited. Understanding the calendar helps tourists respect local customs and demonstrate sensitivity towards the local culture.
During major celebrations, popular tourist attractions or public roads may be busier than usual. By knowing the key dates, tourists can plan their visits to avoid the crowds — or, conversely, join in the festivities to share in the joy of the local community.
Knowledge of the Balinese Calendar helps tourists plan their visits in line with cultural or natural events that may only occur at specific times of year. This allows them to get the most out of their experience in Bali.
By participating in local celebrations, tourists can contribute to the economic activities of the local community — for example, by purchasing handcrafted goods or taking part in events that support local vendors and artisans.
By understanding the Balinese Calendar 2024, tourists can enrich their experience, feel more connected to the local culture, and show genuine respect for the living traditions of the Island of the Gods.
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