Get to Know Galungan, A Balinese Celebration

TheIndonesia.id - The Balinese Hindu community celebrates the religious festival of Galungan on Wednesday, 10 November 2021.

Galungan is commemorated every 210 days and lasts for ten days. It is a celebration of the victory of the Dharma (virtue) against Adharma (evil). Aside from celebrating victory, Galungan is also a much-awaited time for catching up with relatives, including dead ones.

During the Galungan celebration, all schools across Bali are closed for two weeks.

The celebration of Galungan and Kuningan have notable names. Each name mark particular activity. Quoted from Buleleng Regency, these are the series of Galungan and Kuningan celebrations.

Penyekeban

Three days before Galungan, families begin to prepare for the celebration. The word Penyekeban comes from “nyekeb indriya” which means restraining bodies from doing things that are not justified by religion. Penyekeban is the day when green bananas are covered up in huge clay pots to speed the ripening.

Penyajaan

Penyajaan means assuring. It is time to make the Balinese rice cakes known as Jaja. These colored cakes are made of fried rice dough. The cakes are used in offerings and eaten on Galungan.

Penampahan

One day before Galungan, pigs and chickens are blessed and ceremonially slaughtered. The meat is used to make food for Galungan, such as lawar, a typical Balinese cuisine that mixes vegetables and minced beef flavored with a lot of spices. The slaughter symbolizes killing the bestiality passions that exist in humans.

Galungan Day

This day is the peak of the celebration. Balinese put on their finest traditional clothes to attend the temple, to pray with their families. They also bring offerings to share and enjoy after praying. On a normal day (before the Covid-19 pandemic), all the local temples are crowded and colorful. It is a perfect time to observe the fascinating part of Bali’s spiritual culture.

Manis Galungan

One day after the celebration, the Balinese spend time with the family. For a large number of Balinese Hindus who live apart from their hometowns, Galungan becomes an opportunity to gather with the family and have a meaningful conversation.

Kuningan

Kuningan marks the end of the Galungan holiday. Ten days after Galungan, the Balinese believe their ancestors return to heaven after visiting the earth during the Galungan celebration. They believe that Ida Sang Hyang Widhi (God) blesses and gives prosperity to the whole world.