Galungan Day – The victory of Dharma

Galungan is a significant and joyous holiday celebrated in the predominantly Hindu island of Bali, Indonesia. It is one of the most important religious events for the Balinese people, and it marks the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil) in Hindu mythology. Galungan occurs every 210 days in the Balinese calendar, which is a lunar-based system, and the festivities usually last for ten days.

The preparations for Galungan begin well in advance. Balinese families thoroughly clean their homes and adorn them with colorful decorations, such as penjor, which are bamboo poles beautifully decorated with woven coconut leaves, flowers, and other ornaments. The Penjor are erected outside the houses, lining the streets and creating a stunning sight across the island.

The highlight of Galungan is the day of Galungan itself, fall on Wednesday, Wuku Dungulan according to Balinese Calendar. On this day, Balinese Hindus dress in their finest traditional attire and visit their family temples to offer prayers and blessings. They also visit nearby temples to seek blessings from the gods. The atmosphere is filled with devotion and spirituality, and the air is fragrant with the scent of incense and flowers.

The tenth day of Galungan, known as “Kuningan,” marks the end of the celebrations. On this day, the spirits of ancestors are believed to return to the heavens, and offerings are made to honor and bid them farewell. Balinese families once again visit temples and shrines to perform their religious duties and express gratitude for the blessings received during the ten-day period.