Just because Ubud is the spiritual heart of Bali, it doesn’t mean that there are no ceremonies in Canggu, far from it, in fact.
Bali’s hottest spot has a vibe that is chill but also plenty soulful and that means good vibes, and where there are good vibes, there are ceremonies.
Canggu’s ceremonies are eclectic rather like the surfer and smoothie crowd that spend their time here, in fact.
So, let’s take a look at what goes in Canggu, what makes the ceremonies special and more! We’ll touch on everything from temple processions to bohemian weddings with a very Canggu-style twist.
The Canggu Vibe: Where Traditional Bali Dwells Behind A Modern Facade
Canggu is the island’s hippest resort town. It’s where you can find rice paddies rubbing shoulders with hipster cafes and bars.
You’ll see surfers shredding waves on Berawa Beach, digital nomads on their laptops, party goers raving about FINNS Beach Club and, of course, the local folks who are all about keeping the spiritual side of Bali alive.
Within minutes of arriving in Canggu, you’ll spot the first evidence of the local spiritual culture – the canang sari. These tiny little offerings of rice, flowers and clove cigarettes are found outside the door of every home, business and temple on the island.
Every Balinese woman learns to make a canang sari as part of her education as a child and it’s a duty they take very seriously, indeed.
Take a walk down the road a bit from where you start, and sooner or later, you’ll probably bump into a temple and if you’re lucky, there will be a festival on.
Canggu is a mashup of the new and the old. And while we’d agree with people who say it’s harder to see the traditional side of life here in Canggu than it once was, we’d strongly disagree with those who say it’s gone – it’s all around you, if you look a little.
Balinese Hindu Rituals: The Driving Force For Ceremonies In Canggu
Obviously, the number one source of ceremonies here in Bali, is the Balinese Hindu community more than 90% of the local people here on the island are Hindus, which makes them slightly unusual in Indonesia which is a majority Muslim nation.
Bali is often referred to as the “Island of the Gods” because the temples here are proof of that. You’ll see daily offerings at every temple in the form of canang sari, but when the big festivals come around, they turn up the offerings a notch or two too.
Galungan is the biggest temple festival. It commemorates the endless battle between good and evil on the island. You’ll see decorated penjor (long curvy bamboo poles) in the streets around the temple at this time of year.
And if you visit a temple during Galungan, you will excited priests, holy water, gamelan music and the locals in their best ceremonial outfits.
You’re fine to watch these ceremonies, but please don’t interfere in any way, it may be loud, smoky and beautiful but it’s also sacred and we outsiders have no part to play.
Chocolate With Soul? Cacao Ceremonies In Canggu
Now, let’s switch gears entirely and come to Canggu 2.0. The modern Canggu where the hipster crowd seeks its own brush with the divine.
And what could be more modern than a cacao ceremony? Yes, in Canggu they don’t just snack on chocolate, they use it for rituals that help to open (in a spiritual, not physical, sense) your heart to others.
Check out the local yoga studios and wellness resorts to find a host for this ceremony. It’s very straightforward in nature.
You sip on some bitter cacao (sugar isn’t part of the ritual), while sitting in a candlelit circle and setyogting your intentions (a form of light meditation) and then, you just let the communal vibes flow.
There may also be some guided meditation, chanting and even in wilder cases, a little dancing after the ceremony.
There’s nothing Balinese about the cacao ceremony, its origins are rather more new age, but it fits the mood of this chilled out town very much indeed.
Many people in Canggu rave about how the “grounding” feels (this may be down to the fact that you get a mild buzz from cacao, mind you).
It’s a nice ceremony for a chill time after some surfing or yoga.
We would note, however, that some people find these New Age rituals offensive and that they are something of an insult to the island’s traditions and cultural ceremonies.
Wedding Ceremonies Done With Canggu Style
Canggu is also one of the hottest wedding spots on the island and who wouldn’t want to say “I do” to a backdrop of the Indian Ocean or some of the beautiful rice paddies here?
Venues like the luxury villa complexes near Jalan Pantai Berawa are very popular with wedding crowds and they’re the perfect place to make your love public.
Of course, it’s actually very difficult to have a legal marriage (even to a local) here in Bali, so most people get married before they come to Bali for a wedding that can then be “free” in nature when it comes to the spiritual side of things.
You might enjoy a Balinese flower petal blessing from a local priest, or maybe you’d rather speak your vows to a barefoot boho dude with a guitar and some fairy lights strewn around him?
They’re both fine and many couples mix up the vibe, starting with something spiritual and meaningful before popping the champagne corks and partying hard.
Many happy couples then bring their friends and family to FINNS Beach Club to enjoy a spectacular after-wedding party. The club is Instagram gold and the best place on the island to enjoy the spectacular Bali sunset.
Blessings On The Beach At Melasti
Melasti is another important moment in the Balinese calendar. It’s a purification ceremony that takes place prior to Nyepi.
You will see local people carrying all their temple’s statues down to the beaches (Berawa and Batu Bolong are great places to witness this) and the…. Well, they dunk them in the ocean to purify them.
It’s a chaotic ritual with banging drums, blasts of colour, banners waving and everyone dressed in their ceremonial best.
It’s one of the most “only in Bali” experiences you can have here on the island and while the “don’t get involved” rule applies here as much as it does at any other religious ceremony on the island, you’ll feel involved even when watching from the sidelines.
Full Moon Magic And Madness In Canggu
This is Bali, not Thailand, so if you want full moon parties, you’re in the wrong place but the full moon certainly has a role to play in the rituals at the temples here.
You’ll find that holy places are well lit during full moon ceremonies and people make offerings and prayers beneath the stars.
If you want something a little less directly religious, head to the yoga studios and join in one of their “full moon circles” – these rituals tend to rely on singing bowls, sage and, of course, a little theatrical woo-woo to make them memorable.
These are a pleasant blend of Balinese love for the lunar calendar and straight up New Age hippydom.
We would note, that in the case of the temple full moon ceremonies, you may not be permitted to enter the temple grounds during a ceremony unless you have been invited by a local friend.
Why Are There So Many Ceremonies In Canggu?
In Balinese Hinduism each ceremony or ritual has a purpose. It’s meant to prevent evil or to honour the dead to ensure that they are on your side in the constant karmic battle with the bigger forces of the universe or to cleanse a space or thing of unpleasant influence.
The more new-age, expat, digital nomad, style stuff has a purpose too. It’s all about bringing people together and seeking connection, though it has a global accent over it all.
It’s like going to the pub for people who prefer not to spend their evenings with alcohol, in fact.
There’s real intention behind things like cacao ceremonies, even if they’re not traditional, they’re about creating community and belonging.
Other Ceremonies In Canggu
There are quite a few major ceremonies in Bali that you might witness in Canggu including:
- Galungan – this is a major temple festival and it occurs once every 210 days which means it always takes place twice a year
- Nyepi – the day of silence itself doesn’t have much for you to but sit around in your home/hotel and be quiet, but the day before sees the incredible ogoh-ogoh parades and they’re open to everyone
- Full Moons – these are pretty easy to gauge and you can always Google to find the date of the next one
- Ngaben – the Balinese funeral ceremony is a celebration of the individual moving on through the cycles of rebirth and it’s not a downer at all. You will normally need to be invited to such a ceremony but it’s worth going and if you are invited, you will be very welcome.
FAQs
What Ceremonies Are Important In Bali?
We cannot stress enough that all religious ceremonies are important in Indonesia. The archipelago may be majority Muslim and Bali may be majority Hindu, but you will find that there are several official religions here and they all command respect.
You should never interfere with a ceremony here and if you have been invited to take part, we’d encourage you to do so but make sure you’ve been briefed beforehand on what’s expected of you.
What Are The Celebrations In Bali?
The biggest celebrations of the Hindu calendar here are Nyepi and Galungan. But the end of Ramadan, Eid-Al-Fitr is a very big deal and it’s a national holiday.
You will also find that the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter are celebrated locally and if you’re visiting Bali at these times there are special celebrations in many of the island’s hotels and churches.
The Buddha’s birthday is also an event in Indonesia, but there are very few Buddhist temples here in Bali, so you might have to go out of your way to look for this one.
And finally, Bali’s Chinese community celebrates Chinese New Year among a number of other holidays and the Chinese temples are bursting with dragon dances, lanterns, lion dances and more at that time of year.
What Are The Rituals Of Balinese Hinduism?
The most common ritual of Balinese Hinduism is the daily preparation of the canang sari offerings that you can find outside every home, temple and business on the island.
What Is The Melasti Ceremony?
The Melasti Ceremony is a purification ritual held on the beaches of Bali prior to Nyepi, the Hindu day of silence.
It’s a chance for a temple’s congregation to ensure that every aspect of the temple is spiritually cleansed before the day of silence begins.
What Is The Fire Ceremony In Bali?
Agna Hotri and Siat Geni are both fire ceremonies in Bali, rather like water rituals here, they are used for the purposes of purification.
What Is The Death Ritual In Bali?
Ngaben is the Balinese death ritual. It’s an interesting ceremony and if you get the chance to attend a Balinese funeral, you should. The atmosphere is upbeat and pleasant, celebrating the deceased rather than mourning them.
Final Thoughts On Canggu Ceremonies
Canggu has many ceremonies and they should all be respected, whether they are religious traditions or more modern rituals designed to bring people together.
We’d strongly recommend that you check out some of the ceremonies here if you visit, it’s a great way to get to know the local people better and to see the vital spiritual traditions that form the bedrock of Bali’s world famous culture.
Just remember, you’re welcome to watch, but you’re not meant to participate in rituals here unless you’ve been asked to join in. Don’t worry, you will feel part of things even as an observer.