Kuningan Day - Balinese Families Blessing

Kuningan day is the end of Galungan Holiday celebration. It is also celebrated every 210 days according to the Balinese calender exactly 10 days after the Galungan celebration. Balinese people believe that Kuningan day is the day when ancestors return to heaven after visiting their family on earth during Galungan celebration. Kuningan is derived from the word Kuning which means yellow because on this day Balinese people make yellow rice which is placed on a small bowl made out of coconut and this yellow rice is offered to God and the ancestors. After it is offered, the yellow rice will be eaten by the families. 

This yellow rice is a symbol of human's gratitude towards God for all that has been given; life, joy, wealth and prosperity. On Kuningan day it is also believed that Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God) is blessing and giving prosperity to the whole world. Balinese people say that the celebration should be done before noon because God, Goddess and the holy ancestral return to heaven in the midday.

Tamiang and Endongan decorations are hanged outside the homes and temples of Balinese people on Kuningan day. Tamiang is formed round as a shield to represent protection and defense to remind humans of karma and that they should protect them selves from bad behaviors. Endongan means bags of provisions. It is a symbol of food supply for the journey of the ancestors from earth to heaven. But from the spiritual view it represents the essential provisions that every human should carry (knowledge and homage). In some villages, Barongs are going from house to house followed by kids playing traditional musics, people give Canang with Sesari(money) to the Barong and the arong will dance and bless the villagers house and family.

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Yellow rice offering	Barong and kids playing  traditional musics
Yellow rice offering	Tamiang
Yellow rice offering

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.

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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