subject: Uncovering The Mysteries Behind The Galungan Festival In Bali [print this page] Bali, the island paradise in Indonesia, boasts of a colorful diverse Bali culture closely integrated with religion. Aside from its famous Bali tourism and villas holiday, Bali is also well-known for its Bali festival. One such major festival in Bali is the Galungan festival.
Generally considered to be the most important festival for the Balinese, the Galungan Festival is a series of Hindu religious ceremonies that are performed during the 10-day Galungan-Kuningan period.
This Bali holiday festival symbolizes the victory of Dharma (which means Virtue) upon Adharma (Evil) and is filled with cultural rite and ceremonies that focus on the importance of living a life based on dharma.
The Galungan festival preparations usually start at Tumpek Uduh, 25 days before Galungan Day, at the Saturday of the 7th week of the Balinese Pawukon calendar, Wariga. For this reason, the entire Galungan festival period has a total length of about 35 days or 5 weeks, a one Balinese month.
A 10-day festival, Galungan Festival is held all throughout the whole Bali island paradise. Celebrated every six months, the festival celebrates the Hindu gods and most importantly the triumph of good over evil. During the festival, the Balinese believes that during these 10 days, the Balinese gods as well as the ancestral spirits descend to earth for the festivities. Because of this, the Balinese puts up lavish decorations throughout the island to honor their arrival.
One can see in every homes right side entrance an enormous bamboo pole covered and beautifully decorated with woven young coconut leaves, cakes, fruits and flowers.
Basically, there are around 12 specific ceremonial days of the Galungan festival, starting with Tumpek Uduh and ending with Tumpek Kuningan.
Signifying "Pawedalan Jagat" or the earth's festival ceremony, Galungan Day is spent in prayers and special ritual ceremony held for the Balinese ancestors spirits, thanking God for his creations on earth and its content.
One can witness traditional dishes being prepared and then offered to the gods at temples and shrines. Then all the families come together to eat and celebrate, wearing traditional clothes and dress.
During the Galungan festival, one can see the Balinese usually performing a ceremony called Ngelawang. This ceremony involves the Balinese travelling around the village in the costume of Barong Rangda and Barong Kedengkling.
Full of performances conveying holy values, the Ngelawang Galungan ceremony is meant to create prosperity and health as well as protection. During the ceremony, one can see the Balinese performing a series of dances such as the Janger, the Joged, and the Arja. After the performance, a canang sari offering is made which contains some money (sesari, canang beras jinah).
Overall, there are many ceremonies, rites, dances and rituals, guests can witness during the entire Galungan festival period. If you really want to fully enjoy this festival, book into one of Balis famous luxurious private holiday villa. Bali has a wide selection of these luxurious private villa getaways where you can enjoy, relax and appreciate the beauty of Bali in comfort and peace, while having the option to indulge in Balis lively festivals and many high-end boutiques, spas and restaurants.
