Tourists vacationing in Bali during the ten days starting from Wednesday, 12 May until Saturday, 22 May, 2010 will be able to witness first hand how the Balinese elaborately decorate their towns and villages in their own individual way. According to the traditional Balinese calendar, the first day of this period of festivities is the Galungan holiday on KIiwon Dungulan (12/5/2010), and the last day is Kuningan, which is celebrated on 22 May 2010.
The Galungan event takes place to praise the triumph of virtue (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). A week before Galungan, people celebrate Sugian Tenten (5/5/2010), and on the following days Sugian Jawa (6/5/2010) and Sugian Bali (7/5/2010) celebrations. These three celebrations respectively symbolize the process of purifying the mind (Sugian Tenten), body (Sugian Jawa) and soul (Sugian Bali). The following Saturday and Sunday, are called Embang Sugi, and it is the time when people concentrate on the self.
Monday, Pon Dungulan, in the following week, is called Penyajaan Galungan, when people ask for power from God. The next day, Tuesday Wage Dungulan, is called Penampahan Galungan, symbolizing the time when Dharma or truth fights against Adharma or evil. Penampahan means, “slaughtering” the evil or bad spirit. This moment is visualized on Galungan day as the symbol of the Dharma victory against Adharma.
Splendid Decoration
On Galungan day, houses in Bali are splendidly decorated with penjor bamboo poles, with offerings hanging from it with woven coconut leaves, fruits, cakes, and flowers. On this day everybody dresses as best as possible in line with Balinese Hindu culture.
According to the Balinese pawukon cycle as stipulated by the traditional Balinese calendar, a Galungan celebration could sometimes fall twice within one year. Its occurrence is repeated after 210 days have elapsed.
The days after Galungan are a time for visiting friends and relatives, and this can often cause traffic jams! In many villages across Bali, Thursday after Galungan, known as Manis Galungan, is a special day for young Balinese and many choose to get married on this day.
End of Festivity
Kuningan day marks the end of the Galungan celebration. On Kuningan there are still more offerings dedicated to ancestor spirits returning to heaven. On this day, housewives usually make nasi kuning or yellow-colored cooked rice, enriched with spices and coconut milk. It tastes delicious especially when served with lawar made of sliced pork.
Before celebrating Galungan, the Balinese dress attractively. Most people visit temples for prayers, or tourist objects with an aim to enjoy the natural charm of beaches or swimming in natural spring water or even climbing hills or mountains in search of a cooler climate.
Demon-king Myth
Behind the Galungan festivities, a myth has been told from generation to generation that a legendary demon-king Mayadenawa strictly prohibited his subjects to worship their ancestors and deities. During a popular uprising supported by Bhatara Indra and divine allies, Mayadenawa was defeated after a long battle. The people were then free to worship their gods according to their belief, while the Supreme God, Sanghyang Mdhi together with other deities and ancestral spirits, come back from Heaven to feast on their temple on Earth. The tenth day, Kuningan Day, is the last day of the gods’ temporary stay on Earth.
It should be noted that commerce practically comes to a standstill during the Galungan festivities, while the normal life of the village solely concentrates upon the events around this sacred period. On the Sunday before Galungan, the Panyekeban day, green bananas are sealed into huge clay pots to speed up the ripening process. A lot of bananas are required for the Galungan offerings to make this festival a success.
