Galungan is a Balinese holiday celebrating the victory of dharma over adharma.[1] It marks the time when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth. The last day of the celebration is Kuningan, when they return. The date is calculated according to the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar.
Significance
Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremonies. The spirits of deceased relatives who have died and been cremated return to visit their former homes, and the current inhabitants have a responsibility to be hospitable through prayers and offerings. The most obvious sign of the celebrations are the penjor - bamboo poles with offerings suspended at the end. These are installed by the side of roads. A number of days around the Kuningan day have special names, and are marked by the organization of particular activities.[2]
Name of day
Activities
3 days before
Penyekeban
Cooking of bananas for offerings
2 days before
Penyajaan
Making of jaja (fried rice cakes)
1 day before
Penampahan
Slaughtering of pigs or chicken for feasts
1 day after
Manis Galungan
Visiting family
10 days after
Kuningan
Prayers, offerings - spirits return to heaven
11 days after
Manis Kuningan
Fun
Dates
Galungan begins on the Wednesday (Buda)puta
lan, the 11th week of the 210-day pawukon calendar. This means that there are often two celebrations per solar year. Dates for 2018-2024 are as follows:[3]