Religion, superstitions and a strange New Year…

FUN FACTS ABOUT BALI

The dominant religion in Bali is Balinese Hinduism. It differs slightly from traditional Indian Hinduism and has many Buddhist influences from Java and Sumatra. In short - you can eat roasted pork here.
There are two active volcanoes on Bali: Mount Batur and Mount Agung.
Most beaches have black sand.
Women who are menstruating are not allowed to enter temples.
Bali has two seasons: the dry season from April to October and the wet season from October to April.
Balinese people use two calendars: the saka calendar, based on lunar cycles with a length similar to the Gregorian calendar, and the pawukon calendar, which has only 210 days.
Around 80% of Bali’s economy depends on tourism.
Most Balinese people speak three languages: Balinese, Indonesian, and English.
Babies are carried everywhere for the first few months of life because they are not allowed to touch the ground.
Balinese people name their children according to birth order, and the names are the same for men and women. The firstborn is Wayan, the second Made, the third Nyoman, and the fourth Ketut (which means “little banana”). The fifth child is again named Wayan. Some people adopt nicknames, while others keep the original names. Nowadays, this tradition is slowly changing and other names are also being given.
The Garuda Wisnu statue (unveiled in 2018 after 20 years of construction) stands 120 meters tall. The massive sculpture depicts Lord Vishnu riding the mythical bird Garuda. (The Statue of Liberty is 93 meters tall.)
When visiting someone’s home, it is polite to leave a little food on your plate. If you eat everything, they may think you didn’t get enough.
Bali celebrates a rather unusual New Year, which usually falls in March. It is called the Day of Silence. Everything is closed - hotels, restaurants, beaches, and even the AIRPORT. You are absolutely not allowed to go anywhere. Electricity is also turned off, you cannot even light a fire, and nobody works. Check carefully whether it falls during your stay. This is absolutely serious!
Going to the kitchen when entering the house. You know that Polish superstition that if you leave the house and forget something, you should sit down for a moment before going out again? In Bali it’s similar. When you enter the house from outside, you should first go to the kitchen. According to local beliefs, the bad energy you bring home is neutralized there.