In Reply to: oops posted by zapper on Saturday, 13. August 2005 at 21:26 Bali Time:
I haven't attended this ceremony for many years, but I am sure it has not changed over the years. If anything, it has gotten bigger. The procession from Denpasar to the Pura is indeed large and beautiful: you wont be disappointed. The Odalan at Pura Sakenan, which started the day before, is attended by people coming from all parts of the island to pray. But the real spectacle is on the Sunday, Oct 16. The atmosphere at, and around the Pura couldn't be more festive.
The day before, Oct 15, on Kuningan, do go to Mas village, to see the opening day of the Odalan of Pura Taman Pule. Dress appropriately and you'll be admited inside the temple. In any case, you don't have to for the climax of the ceremony, which comes at about 4:00 p.m. (jam karet), and which takes place outside the Pura, with a beautiful procession out of the Pura and back to it, later on. In the meanwhile, you can watch a traditional Wayang Wong performance right in front of the Temple (This is the ONLY time in the year in the whole of Bali it is shown, although there is (or was) a group also in Tejakula, some years ago). When the procession comes back to the Temple, it must cross the on-going Wayang Wong performance (Nobody has ever been able to explain to me why (!?)). You have never seen so many beautiful Balinese women so beautifully dressed, assembled in one single spot! Dances and Wayang Kulit at night: there is a board on the side of the Pura that tells you the dance program.