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Galungan and Kuningan

 Galungan and Kuningan is one of the most important celebrations for Hindus especially for Balinese Hindus. Galungan is a day that symbolizing the victory of good over evil (dharma over dharma). On the eve of Galungan, Hindus thank God for his creations on earth and its content. While Kuningan is a day on which the spirits of the ancestors return to heaven.   

Galungan and Kuningan is held throughout Bali Island. It is celebrated every six months (210 days) in the pawukon (Balinese cycle of days). Galungan day is celebrated every Budha Kliwon Dungulan and Kuningan is on Saturday Kliwon Kuningan.

On this celebration, Balinese Hindus perform rituals that are meant to welcome and entertain these returning spirits. They decorate their streets with ornate penjor (tall bamboo poles these are usually decorated with fruit, coconut leaves, and flowers, and set up on the right of every residence entrance). At each gate, we'll also find small bamboo altars set up especially for the holiday, each one bearing woven palm-leaf offerings for the spirits.  

During this religious holiday Bali comes alive with vibrant colours, the air is filled with the rapid rhythms of Gamelan orchestras and families work hard to prepare wonderful offerings.

The preparations for Galungan begin several days before the actual feast day.

1.        Wrespathi Wage Sungsang, is called Sugimanek Jawa, six days before Galungan Day which falls on Thursday (Wrespathi). It is the day to purify ‘Bhuwana Agung’ (bhuwana means world; agung means big), the day when Gods and Goddesses accompanied by holy ancestral spirits (pitara) come down to earth to bless the universe. On this day, Pengerebon offering and puspa wewangian (fragrance flowers) are dedicated to the Gods and holy ancestral spirits in the family shrines.

2.      Sukra Keliwon Sungsang, is called Sugimanek Bali, five days before Galungan Day which falls on Friday (Sukra). It is the day to purify ‘Bhuwana Alit’ (alit means small) or human’s body and soul.  During this day, Balinese people purify themselves by praying and concentrating minds to God Almighty. On this day, it is suggested to visit temples for praying and learning more deeply about the holy book of Weda.

3.       Saniscara Umanis Sungsang, is a preparation day for the next day, four days before Galungan Day which falls on Saturday (Saniscara). It is the day to prepare the celebration of Galungan Day, the day to prepare mentally and physically in peace, patience, alertness and devotion. On this day, the women usually make ‘banten’ (offering made of young coconut leaves, flowers, and others).

4.      Penyekeban / Penapean (Redite Pahing Dungulan), three days before Galungan Day which falls on Sunday (Redite). It is the day when Balinese people start meditation (yoga semadhi). It is believed that on this day, Sang Kala Tiga Wisesa or Bhuta Galungan is around humans to seduce them to do bad things. This day is called ‘Penyekeban’ because on this day, people start to make cakes and keep the banana to be used as offerings on Galungan Day. The word ‘penyekeban’ is derived from ‘sekeb’ which means ‘keep’. This day is also called ‘Penapean’ which is derived from ‘tape’. On this day, the women make ‘tape’, a typical food for Galungan celebration, which is made of slightly fermented rice or tubers.  

5.      Penyajaan Galungan (Soma Pon Dungulan), two days before Galungan Day which falls on Monday (Soma). The word ‘Penyajaan’ is derived from ‘jaja’ which means ‘cake’. On this day, various cakes in shapes and colors are made for offerings.  

6.      Penampahan (Anggara Wage Dungulan), one day before Galungan Day which falls on Tuesday (Anggara). The word ‘Penampahan’ is derived from ‘tampah’ which means ‘slaughter’. It is the day when people slaughter their bad behaviors, bad thoughts, bad manners and bad words which is symbolized by slaughtering animals for offerings, mostly pig. It is believed that the hardest seduction from Bhuta Amangkurat occurs on this day. Therefore, Bhuta Yadnya (holy sacrifice) is done for the harmonic balance between the visible and the invisible world. On this day, people also should make ‘penjor’, a bamboo pole beautifully decorated by young coconut leaves and various ornaments. It is put up in front of every house and building, symbolizing the great Mount Agung, and the presence of God Almighty. Various leaves, plantations, crops, fruits and traditional cakes in diverse shapes and colors beautify the bamboo pole which means that every element of the world is represented in ‘penjor’. It also shows the gratitude upon God Almighty because all things available on earth come from God.  

7.      Galungan, Budha Keliwon Dungulan is the day to have fun, the victory day after facing the 'test' mentally and physically from Sang Bhuta Galungan or the victory of the Good (Dharma) upon Evil (Adharma). On this day offerings are dedicated to the God and the ancestors who come down to earth.

8.      Umanis Galungan, Wrespathi Umanis Galungan is the celebration day, and the Hindus can enjoy His blessings. The offerings are replaced with new ones and art performance is usually held and can be enjoyed by everyone. The day after Galungan, Balinese visit their kinfolk and closest friends. During Galungan, a ceremony known as Ngelawang is performed in the villages. Ngelawang is an exorcism ceremony performed by a "barong" - a divine protector in the form of a mythical beast. The barong is invited into houses as he makes his way through the village. His presence is meant to restore the balance of good and evil in a house. The residents of the house will pray before the dancing barong, who will afterwards give a piece of his fur as a keepsake. After the barong pays a visit, it is important to make an offering of a canang sari containing money.

9.      Pahing Galungan, Sukra Pahing Dungulan, the day when we are still in alert with pure heart.

10.    Pamaridan Guru, Saniscara Pon Dungulan, is the day when the God gives us prosperity. On this day, the Hindus usually visit the temples (tirthayatra).

11.     Ulihan, Redithe Wage Kuningan, is the day when we commemorate the ancestors who has left us and continue their duty to fight for the truth (dharma)

12.    Pamacekan Agung, Soma Keliwon Kuningan, is the day to pray for good will and the purity of the heart, because pemacekan day comes from the word 'pacek', which means the middle, i.e. the day between Galungan and Kuningan (5 days after Galungan and 5 days before Kuningan). The Philosophy is we are in the middle of the purity of the heart. On this day Segehan Agung offering is placed in front of the main gate.

13.    Anggara Umanis Kuningan, is the preparation of Kuningan Day.

14.   Pujawali Bhatara Wisnu, Budha Pahing Kuningan is the day when the protector of the world, God Wisnu comes to the earth. The Hindus on this day should pray for the maintenance of the universe.

15.    Wrespathi Pon Kuningan, is a preparation day for Kuningan.

16.   Penampahan Kuningan, Sukra Wage Kuningan is a day to prepare everything, especially the offering for Kuningan Day.

17.    Tumpek Kuningan, Saniscara Keliwon Kuningan, is the day when the Gods accompanied by the ancestors come to visit the earth, but only until noon (12.00). On this day the Hindus are suggested to do self-introspection by doing a meditation for human's prosperity. The offerings on this day are selanggi, tebog, endongan, that decorates the house. Segehan Agung is placed on the house yard, and offerings for the family members are also served such as prayascita lewih, sesayut segan kuning, iwak itik putih, and penyeneng.

18.   Pegat Wakan, Budha Keliwon Pahang, is the end of meditation that has been done for 42 days (from Sugimanek Jawa until Budha Keliwon Pahang). On this day the Hindus are dedicating sesayut dirghayusa and penyeneng offerings to the Supreme God, Hyang Widhi Wasa.