Galungan - Balinese Holy Feast

Visiting Bali on Galungan seasons would give visitors different feeling and view of Bali. Visitors would see Penjor with different types of decoration and styles in every site of the street. It would give unique, interesting and artistic view for tourist to see the enthusiast of the local inhabitants toward the celebration of Galungan day.

Galungan is a celebration celebrated every six months or every 210 days according to the Balinese calender. Galungan is the most important ceremony for the Balinese Hindu people, it is a celebration to honor Ida Sang Hyang Widhi (God) as the creator of the universe and the spirits of the ancestors. This ceremony symbolizes the victory of Dharma (Good) over Adharma (evil) and encourages Balinese people to honor the creator and sainted ancestors. It is believed that on Galungan day, the spirits of the ancestors visit earth and Balinese Hindus perform rituals to welcome and entertain these returning spirits. Families offer lots of sacrifices of Gebogan, foods , flowers and also prayers to the ancestral spirits to experss gratitude and hopes for protections.

There are several preparations before Galungan day, they are Penyekeban, Penyajahan and Penampahan. Penyekeban is celebrated three days before Galungan, on this day families begin their preparations for Galungan, green bananas are cooked for the offerings. Penyajahan is celebrated two days before Galungan, it is the time to make Jaja or the Balinese cake. These cakes are made of rice dough that are used for the offerings and they are also eaten specially on Galungan, lots of Jaja would be sold in every village markets. Penampahan is celebrated a day before Galungan. This day is known as the slaughter day. Balinese people slaughter sacrificial animals that are used in temples and altar offerings. 

On Galungan day itself, Balinese pray at temples and make their offerings to the spirits. Manis Galungan, is a celebration celebrated the day after Galungan. On this day Balinese people go around and visit their families as well as their closest friends. Kuningan day is another celebration celebrated 10 days after Galungan.

More Photos:

One of the offerings on  Galungan Day	Balinese Hindu Praying on  Galungan day
Women carrying offtrings to the temple	Penjor  built in front of every house
Jaja made on Penyajahan day	Rice cake made on Penyajahan day