The Ramayana is not a hotel but an experience to add to any Indonesian itinerary: that of a traditional ballet staging the Sanskrit epic of the same name. In both Java and Bali, this living theatre opens doors to a narrative and choreographic tradition that can only be fully grasped in a hall or under the open sky, facing the temples.

Why attend a Ramayana ballet

The Ramayana, meaning "The Deeds of Rama," is a Sanskrit epic composed between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD. Its authorship is attributed to Valmiki, known as Adi kavi, the "First Poet." The text comprises 7 books, 24 parvas and 48,000 verses. It recounts the exile of Prince Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, the abduction of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and the war waged in Lanka with the aid of the monkey god Hanuman and Sugriva's army. The return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile is celebrated in Hindu tradition by the festival of Diwali.

Attending a performance means witnessing this mythological material transmitted across two millennia on stage, with characters immediately recognizable: Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Ravana, Kaikeyi, Shurpanakha, Bharata, Dasharatha, Sugriva. No prior knowledge is required: the ballet is performed without dialogue.

The atmosphere of a performance

The Ramayana ballet, or Sendratari Ramayana in Indonesian, combines music, dance and drama without spoken dialogue. A gamelan orchestra accompanies each scene and structures the narrative. Embroidered costumes, gilded headdresses and masks of Ravana or Hanuman give each entrance a commanding presence.

The style varies notably from one island to another. In Java, choreography follows the Javanese tradition: controlled, deliberate, refined movements, where slowness carries meaning. In Bali, the interpretation is dynamic, angular and intensely expressive, in keeping with the energy of local ritual dances.

In what form and which formats

Depending on your chosen venue, you will see:

• a complete ballet in several acts, performed on a large outdoor stage;
• a condensed version of approximately two hours, better suited to a travel itinerary;
• in Bali, a choral variation known as Kecak, where dozens of men sitting in a circle chant a vocal rhythm instead of an orchestra.

The animated films Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama and Ramayana: The Epic can provide good visual preparation before the performance.

Where to see the Ramayana ballet

In Java, several venues regularly programme the show:

• Prambanan temple, a UNESCO-listed Hindu site, which offers open-air performances with the temple towers as a backdrop;
• the Purawisata Cultural Centre in Yogyakarta, which performs the ballet almost daily in a more intimate format;
• Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta, which has hosted evening performances (programming to be confirmed at time of booking).

In Bali, performances are concentrated in Ubud, the island's cultural heart, and at Uluwatu temple, where Kecak is performed each evening facing the ocean at sunset.

When to go

Performances in Yogyakarta and Ubud take place year-round. At Prambanan, outdoor programming depends on weather: the dry season, from May to October, offers the best conditions, with clear evenings and full use of the stage. During the rainy season (November to March), covered halls take over.

Plan for two to three evenings in your itinerary if you wish to compare Javanese and Balinese styles.

What to combine nearby

The ballet fits into a broader cultural journey. In Java, it logically complements visits to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. In Bali, it extends a stay around Ubud, the rice fields and temple ceremonies. For accommodation near these stops, consider Ananda Cottages in Ubud, Kebun Villa, or Arya Amed Beach Resort on Bali's east coast. Further west, Jeeva Klui on Lombok allows you to extend your journey off the beaten path.

Planning your trip

To incorporate a Ramayana evening into a tailor-made itinerary between Java and Bali, explore our Indonesia journeys.