Islamic New Year at Tanah Lot

Today across the archipelago of Indonesia is the Islamic New Year, Muharram 1428 AH. We would like to extend our best wishes to all Muslims on this special day. The Muslim New Year is a cultural event which some Muslims partake on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic Calendar. Although there is no religious significance attached to this day, many Muslims use the day to remember the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the Hijra, or emigration, he made to the city now known as Medina. Recently, in many areas of Muslim population, people have begun exchanging cards and gifts on this day.

However, not all Muslims partake of this event. Shia Muslims do not partake in such activities since the month is observed as a month of mourning in honor of Imam Hussain, who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala on Muharram 10^th. Sunni Muslims believe that this is the day that the first Caliph Abu Bakr died. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Muharram migrates throughout the seasons.

Recently, in many areas of Muslim population, people have begun exchanging cards and gifts on this day. Today is holiday for most people. And most people spend their holiday to some of hotspot and also to Tanah Lot Tourism Object. Most visitor came with their family or their friend. According to data from management of Tanah Lot, total of visit yesterday reach until 13.131 visitor both domestic and foreigner. And on two days ago before total of visit reach until 11.657 visitor both domestic and foreigner. That's mean yesterday, total of visit increase compare with two days ago because exact with sunday. Info More Tanah Lot

New Year Bazzar in Beraban Village

Many ways do by Balinese especially by youth peoples in Beraban village Tanah Lot to greeting New Year 2009. Some of them greeting with held a bazzar in their hamlet.The new bazzar usually held start from December 29, 2008 until January 3, 2009. As far as we know, in general bazaar is done by selling goods, foods, or sometimes items made by hand. It is normally sold with low price to attract people. The definition of the word “bazaar” is a sale of goods, often items made by hand, to raise money for a charity or for people who need help.

But there is a unique characteristic in new year bazaar in Beraban Tanah Lot. Bazzar held by the member of the banjar ( hamlet / ward ) in order to give its community a chance to spend their money for snacks since all food stalls were closed during that day. And not all food, drinks or goods were sold in high price to generate some profits and then the profit would be used to repair the hamlet or temple on that area. But with the passing of the time there is a different concept arises in carrying out the bazaar.

This was started by the young community in the Beraban village itself when they need to raise money to support their activities such as to gain fund for the ogoh-ogoh festival or just to do their annual anniversary. They usually sell food and drink to the people by giving invitation card with incription of menus provided in the bazaar. It is common for the other hamlet to buy those cards for more than one million as the form of brotherhood among hamlets. And the distribution of the card is burdened to the member of the hamlet.