18/04/2026
Every year, the Balinese commemorate a very important day when all the demigods descend on the slope of Mount Agung. This massive ceremony is called Bhatara Turun Kabeh (old Javanese: ‘all gods descend’) at Panataran Agung Temple, Besakih. The demigods (bhataras) are servants of the Supreme God who take charge of maintaining natural elements such as fire, water, air and so on. During Bhatara Turun kabeh ceremony, which comes every full moon’s day of Kadasa Month, all demigods are offered prayers and oblations. The Hindus from all over Indonesia come to attend and pray. The celebration is usually very crowded because a lot of people participate. Therefore, the ceremony lasts for about two or three weeks, ended by a closing ceremony called Ngalebar.
During King Waturengong’s era in the 16th century, the ceremony was conducted in the full moon’s day of Kapat Month (around Oktober), in coincidence with the beginning of rainy season. Later, the ceremony was then moved to Kadasa Month in April. According to some historical records, Bhatara Turun Kabeh was formerly a kind of summer celebration (Vasanta Ritu) as stated in Hindu Holy Scriptures. During the month of Kapat, the monsoon changes direction and becomes very advantageous for ancient voyages. This celebration also indicates that there is a tight connection between Bali, Java and India in the past through a unique celebration called Bali Yatra in east India. On eastern Indian shores, Bali Yatra is celebrated in October by the people to remember their ancestors who sailed to an island called Bali in the east. In April of the next year, their boats arrived in Bali.
Bhatara Turun Kabeh is the most splendid annual celebration in Besakih. Besakih Temple is beautifully decorated. Beautiful curved penjors are installed everywhere. Young people, senior people, and many priests take daily responsibility for the ceremony. There are non-stop gambelan plays, ringings of sacred bells, sacred mantras, dances and many kinds of offerings everyday. Everything is meant to worship and thank the Supreme God and His benevolent servants,—the demigods and holy ancestors.
