Goa Lawah Festival 2025, Highlighting Spirituality and Tradition

SEMARAPURA, jarrakposbali.com – The 2025 Goa Lawah Festival was officially launched, marked by the traditional “tawa tawa” ritual by Klungkung Regent, I Made Satria, Klungkung Vice Regent, Tjokorda Gde Surya Putra, and Assistant for General Administration of the Provincial Secretary of Bali, I Wayan Serinah at the Goa Lawah Culinary Plaza, Dawan District, Klungkung, on Friday, November 21, 2025.

The 2025 Goa Lawah Festival carries the theme “Yatra Cakra Wisaya,” which reflects the community’s spirit in maintaining a balance between spirituality, tradition, and innovation. Like a wheel that keeps turning, the Goa Lawah Festival symbolizes the continuity of culture, revitalizing ancestral heritage, opening spaces for new creations, and modern knowledge, all leading to a Mahottama Klungkung.

Through this festival, the spirit of cultural preservation and spirituality is revived in a modern format while remaining deeply rooted in local traditions. It also introduces Klungkung as an authentic, character-driven spiritual tourism destination that inspires both domestic and international visitors. A range of cultural attractions, exhibitions of crafts and culinary delights, as well as performances by Bali pop musicians, will fill the Galungan holiday from November 21 to 23, 2025.

The Governor of Bali’s message, read by I Wayan Serinah, Assistant for General Administration of the Provincial Secretary of Bali, expressed appreciation for the successful implementation of the festival and the commitment of local governments in promoting tourism to elevate their identities.

“Congratulations on the successful organization of the first Goa Lawah Festival. May it succeed and advance tourism in Klungkung Regency,” he said.

Regent Satria emphasized that tourism is one of the key sectors in Klungkung Regency that needs continuous promotion. With strong enthusiasm, the government will consistently support tourism events.

“This first-ever Goa Lawah Festival is one of the flagship programs initiated by the Klungkung Regency Government to enhance the competitiveness of Klungkung’s tourism,” said Regent Satria.

He also hopes that this festival will serve as a promotional tool for the destination, attract tourist visits, stimulate the local economy, and preserve cultural identity. Additionally, the festival will create job opportunities, increase regional income, and strengthen social cohesion in the community. “With all its potential, the Goa Lawah Tourism Attraction, as a premier tourism destination in Klungkung Regency, deserves to be optimized for marketing through this Goa Lawah Festival,” he added.

The Head of the Klungkung Tourism Department, Ni Made Sulistiawati, added that the Goa Lawah Festival was designed as a platform that blends spiritual, cultural, and tourism values. In addition to highlighting the sacredness of the Goa Lawah Kahyangan Jagat Temple, the festival is expected to expand the appeal of the eastern Klungkung area as a religious and cultural tourism destination.

“This inaugural festival is enlivened by the Bali-wide Baleganjur Ngarap Competition, which is always a magnet for gamelan groups from various regions,” she said. (JpBali).