Saka Museum — Bali is renowned for its multifaceted culture and rich traditions, as well as its abundance of stunning natural and recreational attractions. Among the many well-preserved traditions in Bali is Nyepi, a day where all lights are switched off, music is silenced, and all outdoor activities are prohibited.
Saka Museum / Ayana Estate
Nyepi is a significant Hindu worship event in Bali and is an intriguing tradition to discover. Consequently, the Ayana Estate area is home to a new museum that takes inspiration from Nyepi - the Saka Bali Museum.
Encompassing an area of around 5,000 square meters, the Saka Museum is set to open in Bali in March 2023. Its lobby, designed to create a calming ambiance, features a black ceiling adorned with spotlights arranged in a sweeping curve that mimics the starry night sky of Bali during Nyepi. During this time, with the absence of light and traffic pollution, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye and the stars sparkle brighter than ever before.
Exhibition Area / Ayana Estate
The Saka Museum will be exclusively devoted to honoring and showcasing the art, culture, and mysticism of Bali. At the heart of its exhibits will be a collection of 10 ogoh-ogoh effigies, created by distinguished local artists such as Kedux and Gusman Surya. These giant puppets, usually crafted out of paper mâché and wood, represent demons and are considered a form of community-based art. They are traditionally made by youths in Balinese villages in the weeks leading up to Nyepi, and paraded through the streets before being burned to symbolize self-purification and the banishing of evil spirits.
Upon its completion, the Saka Museum will boast eight galleries, an archive and library section, a screening room, a café, and a gift shop. It will be the most recent addition to the extensive Ayana Estate area and will be freely accessible to Ayana's guests and the public alike.
