19/11/2025
Galungan: The Celebration of Dharma's Victory
Galungan is arguably the most important holiday celebrated by Balinese Hindus. It marks the victory of Dharma (goodness, virtue, and truth) over Adharma (evil, chaos, and falsehood). It is a time for the Balinese people to show their gratitude to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God Almighty) and their ancestral spirits, who are believed to descend from heaven to Earth during this period.
Timing and Duration
Galungan is celebrated according to the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar, meaning it occurs approximately every six months on the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations span over a period of ten days, beginning on a Wednesday (Buda Kliwon Dungulan) and culminating ten days later on the Saturday known as Kuningan.
This unique calendar cycle means that the dates of Galungan shift continuously, making it a recurring focus of spiritual life.
Key Traditions and Preparations
The Galungan period is preceded by several days of intense preparation, both spiritual and physical:
Penyekeban (Three Days Before): Preparations for spiritual cleansing begin. Traditionally, this is the day fruits like bananas are ripened by being covered (nyekeb).
Penyajaan (Two Days Before): The day for preparing jaja (Balinese cakes) and making various offerings.
Penampahan Galungan (The Day Before): This is the final day of preparation. Traditionally, animals like pigs are slaughtered for feasts and offerings. Most importantly, this is the day when the iconic Penjor is erected.
The Significance of the Penjor
The Penjor is the most recognizable symbol of the Galungan celebration. It is a tall, arched bamboo pole beautifully decorated with young coconut leaves, natural products, and offerings.
The Penjor is symbolic of Mount Agung, the most sacred mountain in Bali, which represents the universe and its abundance. By decorating and dedicating the Penjor, the Balinese express their gratitude to God for the fertility of the land and the prosperity they receive. These towering decorations line the streets of Bali, creating a spectacular and sacred atmosphere.
The Day of Galungan
On the actual day of Galungan, the Balinese put on their finest traditional clothes and visit temples to pray and make elaborate offerings.
The primary objective is to purify the body and soul, establish inner peace, and welcome the ancestral spirits. Family members visit their ancestral temples (merajan or sanggah) to show respect and honor their ancestors. It is a day of deep spiritual focus, togetherness, and joy.
Kuningan: The Culmination
The celebrations reach their peak on Kuningan, which falls ten days after Galungan. It is believed that the ancestral spirits return to heaven on this day.
Balinese Hindus prepare yellow rice (nasi kuning) as offerings, symbolizing prosperity and gratitude. The ceremonies on Kuningan are generally held earlier in the day, as the spirits must return to their realm before noon. After Kuningan, the spirit of Galungan remains, focusing on maintaining the balance between Dharma and Adharma in daily life.
