Siwa Ratri

Siwa Ratri, also known as the Night of Siwa, is a key part of Bali’s event calendar. The popular event is dedicated to the god known as Siwa.

Siwa is known to devout Balinese as the destroyer. According to religious tales passed down through the generations, it is believed that on this day, Siwa intervened for the world to maintain peace.

The Balinese people also believe that on this day, Siwa would allow for the forgiveness of sin of people who meditated in his honour. Part of these rituals involves restricting yourself from several things, including sleep and food.

Jagra, which involves staying awake all night, and Upawasa, abstinence from food, are accompanied by observing silence through the event, a phenomenon known as Monabrata. Fasting, staying awake, and remaining silent are considered the three key levels of self-restriction and typically last for 36 hours.

Once the 36 hours elapse, the locals will proceed to the beach to partake in purification rituals. This involves holding a prayer session followed by taking a quick dip in the frigid waters of the sea. After this ritual, the locals go back to their daily activities.

Failure to do so is believed to nullify the strides made as far as self-restriction is concerned. Siwa Ratri is an important event for the locals and is interesting for foreigners to observe.