Tumpek Wayang

Tumpek Wayang is a traditional Balinese holiday and sacred festival of Hindus on the island, celebrated every 210 days.

This festival brings together puppeteers who perform purification rites (ruwatan) to physically and mentally purify their bodies.

Tumpek Wayang is necessary for the locals because it represents various transitions on the traditional calendar and connects the following days: Saniscara, Kajeng, Kilown and Wayang. As a transitional point, this holiday plays a sacred role for locals.

Another critical aspect of these celebrations that makes the day so unique is that devout Balinese celebrate the day as one that marks the birth of the Lord Kala. Local mythology hints that the birth of Kala may have resulted from unplanned intercourse between the Shiva god and the Uma goddess. However, it is essential to note that there are several variations to this mythology.

These variations, however, all point to the coming together of Shiva and Uma, which is why each celebration involves purification rites followed by the signature puppet show, ‘Sapuh Leger’, which is staged at the different temples.

If you are In Bali during Tumpek Wayang, look out for the puppet shows staged at different locations. Interact with the locals to learn a thing or two about their culture.