Galungan dan Kuningan - Most Important Festival in Bali 2023
Galungan is a Hindu festival that occurs every 210 days and celebrates the triumph of Dharma over Adharma, or virtue over evil. This festival has its roots in the legend of Mayadenawa. All the Gods, including the supreme deity Ida Sang Hyang Widhi, are said to descend to Earth during the ten days of Galungan.
The Balinese also perform several rituals and leave offerings for the dead, hoping their ancestors or long-lost loved ones may return to their homes. Tall bamboo poles, known as "penjor," are raised on the right side of each front door during the celebration and adorned with tropical fruits, coconut leaves, and flowers. At each entrance, there are often little bamboo altars with palm-leaf offerings for the spirits, made specifically for the event.
The event is preceded by several days' worth of preparations, which begin three days before the festival and are referred to as "Penyekeban." Penyekaban, which has the literal meaning of "the day to cover," is the day that marks the beginning of the arrangements that are made for Galungan.
On this day, families cover young, green bananas in enormous clay pots to hasten the ripening process.
The second day is known as "Penyajahan," and it is a time for the Balinese people to reflect within and, more prudently, a time to create jaja, which are traditional Balinese cakes. These colorful cakes are made from rice dough and fried before being used in offerings or consumed, particularly on the day of Galungan.
The last day of preparations is known as "Penampahan," which translates to "slaughtering day." On this particular day, the Balinese kill animals to be used as sacrifices in the ceremonies that are to follow.
During the festival of Galungan, the ritual known as Ngelawang is carried out in every hamlet. Ngawang is a ceremony conducted by a "barong," a supernatural guardian in the guise of a legendary beast.
The purpose of the ritual is to banish evil and any bad spirit. As he makes his way across the hamlet, the villagers welcome the barong inside the houses. The purpose of his appearance is to level the balance of power in the home by reintroducing his presence. The people who live in the home will pray in front of the dancing barong, and in exchange, he will give them a piece of his fur to keep as a souvenir.
The culmination of the ten-day celebration is called Kuningan, and it is considered the most critical event. On this specific day, it is thought that the Supreme Deity Sang Hyang Widi would make his way down to Earth to bestow his blessings onto all the people. In addition to serving as a rite that ends the cycle of Galungan, Kuningan denotes the departure of the gods and all ancestors.
Galungan, one of the most significant religious festivities on the island, gives visitors the finest chance to see the most intriguing and distinctive aspect of Bali's culture. Experiencing the event in Bali will undoubtedly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for every one of you.
