Happy Galungan and Kuningan Day (the Balinese Holiday:November1 to November 11, 2017)

A Major Balinese Holiday, Commemorating Victory of Good Over Evil

Author,Ekarini

For more info about Bali:Bali Travel Info

Photo, lifeisarts

(Penjor, symbol of universe)

“Galungan is the most important feast for Balinese Hindus, a celebration to honor the creator of the universe (Ida Sang Hyang Widi) and the spirits of the honored ancestors.”

The festival symbolizes the victory of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma) and encourages the Balinese to show their gratitude to the creator and their ancestor spirits.

The Balinese people celebrate Galungan feast  twice a year in the 210-day cycle of the Balinese calendar.  It is believed this is  the time of the year when the spirits of the ancestors visit the earth.

Balinese Hindus perform their rituals and make offerings to welcome and entertain these returning spirits.

Photo,  Bali Travel Info

Jaja Uli and Tape

(Fermented rice and rice cake)

The house in the  family compounds, and the entire community of Bali  come alive with devotions to worship God and ancestors.   The community and member of the community offer bountiful offerings made of  food and flowers to God and the ancestral spirits, expressing gratitude and hopes for protection and prosperity.

Photo, Balipedia

(Women carrying offerings to the temple)

The characteristic of Galungan feast, you will see that the entire island would be decorated with tall bamboo poles called "penjor" -- these are usually decorated with fruit, coconut leaves, and flowers, and set up on the right of every residence entrance. “At each gate, you'll also find small bamboo altars set up especially for the holiday, each one bearing woven palm-leaf offerings for the spirits.”

The Balinese needs preparations for several days for Galungan feast.  

Three days before Galungan ("Penyekeban"): 

"Penyekeban" literally means "the day to cover up ", as this is the day when green bananas are covered up in huge clay pots to speed their ripening bananas.  On this day, Balinese family also starts to make Tape or fermented Rice.  This is a characteristic food to offer while Galungan festivity.

Two days before Galungan ("Penyajahan") Marks as a time of introspection for Balinese, this time, Balinese make the Balinese cakes known as jaja  (Uli and Begina, these colored cakes made of fried rice dough are placed in offerings and are also eaten especially on Galungan).

A day before Galungan ("Penampahan"): 

This is the day before Galungan, Balinese actually cooks their food for family and for offerings. They make traditional food like lawar (a spicy pork and coconut sauce dish) and satay.

On Galungan day feast: Balinese people  pray at the family  temple and community temples.   They make their offerings to the ancestor spirits and God. Women are seen carrying the offerings on their heads, while men help them to prepare the ceremony.

Photo, Lintas Dewata

(Temple decoration for Galungan celebration)

The day after Galungan called Umanis Galungan:  This is the day after the festivity, Balinese visits their family and  friends to socialize.

The tenth day after Galungan ("Kuningan"): marks as the closing ceremony of Galungan, and is believed to be the day when the spirits ascend back to heaven. On this day, the Balinese people make special offerings made of yellow rice.  The symbol of prosperity, at the same day the Balinese people celebrate their Thanksgiving Day.

The Barong Dance on the street of Bali

During Galungan, you will see the ceremony called Ngelawang.  This Barong dance is performed in the village streets called Ngelawang.  The Ngelawang is an exorcism ceremony performed by a Barong -- a divine protector in the form of a mythical beast.

The Barong is invited into houses as he makes his way through the village.

“His presence is meant to restore the balance of good and evil in a house. The residents of the house will pray before the dancing Barong, who will afterward give a piece of his fur as a keepsake.”

After the Barong pays a visit, it is important to make an offering of a Canang Sari containing money offer to the Barong as a gratitude.

The Galungan and Kuningan ceremony celebration is a special treat for the tourists who visit Bali because It isn't every day they see this festival on the whole island of Bali with full of colors.

For Your Information, many places will be closed for Galungan, as the companies respect the Balinese employees will likely be going to their villages to celebrate the holiday.  But the restaurant in the hotels mostly open.

If you missed the festival ceremony, as the Balinese calendar  follows a 210-day cycle, Galungan happens twice a year roughly every six months. The holiday will be held:

       +     November 1 - November 11, 2017

+     May 30 - June 9, 2018

       +     December 26 - January 9, 2019

       +     July 22 - August 3, 2019

+     February 19 - February 29, 2020

       +    September 16 - September 26, 2020

+     April 14 - April 24, 2021

Please make your hotel reservations as early as possible to get the best deal.

Happy Galungan and Kuningan Day!