About Bali

BALI IS SMALL ISLAND, only 5682 km2 lies between the islands of Java and Lombok, stretching approximately 140 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. The tallest of the string of volcanic mountains that run from the east to the west, is Mount Agung, which last erupted in 1963. Lying just 80 south of the equator, Bali boast a tropical climate with just two seasons (wet and dry) a year and an average annual temperature of around 280C. The wide and gently sloping southern regions play host to Bali's famed rice terrace, among some of the most spectacular in the world. In the hilly, northern coastal regions, the main produce is coffee, copra, spices, vegetables, cattle, and rice. Bali comes from Sanskrit "Vali" means offering, because the daily life in this island full of offerings for their Gods. Despite of the large influx of tourist over the years, their culture is still much alive. The main religion is Agama Hindu Dharma, and although originally from India, the Balinese religion is unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs and different from the Hinduism practiced in India today. And traditionally, Balinese have used their talents for religious purposes and most of beautiful works to be seen here. More than 3 millions people live in Bali. And the most of them stay in southern part. The island capital is 'Denpasar', means eastern market with 5 hundred thousands people, is a bustling city, center of economy, culture, education, and government of Bali.
History
No artifacts or some details write on but it is believed that the first settlers live in Bali was migrated from China around 2500 BC. By the Bronze era, around 300 B.C. quite an evolved culture existed on Bali. The complex system of irrigation and rice production, still in use today, was established around this time. It appears that the main religion, around 500 A.D. was predominantly Buddhist in influence. A Chinese scholar, Yi-Tsing, in 670 A.D. reported, on a trip to India, that he had visited a Buddhist country called Bali. It wasn't until the 11th century that Bali received the first strong influx of Hindu and Javanese cultures. With the death of his father around AD 1011, the Balinese Prince, Airlanggha, moved to east Java and set about uniting it under one principality. Having succeeded, he then appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, as ruler of Bali. During the ensuing period there was a reciprocation of political and artist ideas. The old Javanese language, Kawi, become the language used by the aristocracy, one of the many Javanese traits and customs adopted by the cause. With the death of Airlanggha, in the middle of the 11th century, Bali enjoyed a period of autonomy. However this proved to be short-lived, as in 1248 the east Javanese king Kartanegara, conquered Bali and ruled over it from Java. In 1292, Kertanegara was murdered and Bali took the opportunity to liberate itself once again. However, in 1343, Bali was brought back under Javanese control by it's defeat by the hand of Gajah Mada, a general in the last of the great Hindu-Javanese empires, the Majapahit.  With the spread of  Islam throughout Sumatra and Java during the 16th century, the Majapahit empires began to collapse and a large exodus of aristocracy, priests, artists and artisans to Bali ensued. For a while Bali flourished and the following centuries were considered the Golden Ages of Bali's cultural history. The principality of Gelgel, near Klungkung, become a major center of the Arts, and Bali became the major power of the region, taking control of neighboring Lombok and parts of East Java.
Religion
The Balinese are Hindu yet their religion is very different from that of the Indian variety. The Balinese worship the Hindu trinity Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, who are seen as manifestations of Supreme God Sanghyang Widhi. Other Indian gods like Ganesha (the elephant-headed god) also often appear, but more commonly, one will see shrines to the many gods and spirits that are uniquely Balinese. Balinese believe strongly in magic and the power of spirits, and much of their religions is based upon this. They believe that gods spirits dwell in the mountains and that the seas are home to demons and ogres. Most villages has almost three main temples; one, the Pura Puseh or 'temple of origin', faces the mountains, another, the Pura Desa or village temple, is formally found in the center, and the last, the Pura Dalem, is align with the sea and is dedicated to the spirits of the dead. Aside from these 'village' temples, almost every house has its own shrine. Some temple, Pura Besakih, for example, on the slopes of mount Agung, are considered especially important and people from all over Bali travel to worship there. Offerings play a significant role in Balinese life as they appease the spirits and thus bring prosperity and good health to the family. Every day small offering trays (canang sari) containing symbolic food, flowers, cigarettes and money, are placed on shrines, in temples, outside houses and shops, and even at dangerous cross-roads. Festivals are another great occasions for appeasing the gods. The women bear huge, beautifully arranged, pyramids of food, fruit and flowers on their heads while the men might conduct a blood sacrifice a cock-fight. There are traditional dances and music and the gods are invited to come down to join in the festivities. The festivals are usually very exciting occasions and well worth observing, if you are in the area.