Ceremony is everywhere in Bali. It’s not unusual for a simple walk to the market to be interrupted by a colorful procession or music echoing from a nearby temple. From birth to death, nearly every life event is marked by ritual. Odalan, the anniversary of a temple’s founding, happens every 210 days and often involves days of dancing, praying, and communal meals. Galungan and Kuningan are among the most important religious celebrations, when spirits of ancestors are believed to visit their family homes. During these festivals, the streets are lined with beautiful bamboo poles called penjor, and the island feels even more alive than usual. Even cremation ceremonies, known as Ngaben, are public, elaborate, and incredibly meaningful events that represent the soul’s release.