Held every 210 days (one year in the Balinese calendar), odalan celebrations commemorate the day a temple was founded as well as sanghyang widi wasa (the day of the Gods), when the Gods first blessed a temple with their presence. There are different types of odalan gatherings ranging from the large, four-day odalan madudus agung to the smaller, one-day odalan alit to the most important odalan on the island held only once every century to celebrate the anniversary of Bali’s mother temple, Besakih.  These special festivals are comprised of several elements that pay homage to the Gods that include prayers and offerings, dance and procession rituals, trances, and blood sacrifices.  Often theatrical in nature and embodying a carnival-like atmosphere with the many artistic performances dedicated to the Gods, odalan celebrations are well worth observing especially since there are thousands of temples on the island where it is likely there is at least one occurring per day.