Galugan is celebrated by the Balinese Calendar Year every 210 days. Based on Hindu mythology, the history of Galungan starts with the death of King Mayadenawa. Mayadenawa was a powerful king but had an arrogant and evil nature. Under his leadership, the Balinese people were very miserable, and Mayadenawa issued a ban on worshiping God. People were forbidden to worship God and had to worship Mayadenawa himself instead.
Dewa Indra (the king of heaven/king of gods) sent the gods to come down to the world against King Mayadenawa. There was a terrible war and King Mayadenawa was defeated by the gods. Due to this victory, the Balinese people celebrate Galungan as a victory of Dharma (goodness) over Adharma (evil).
1. Penyajaan Galungan
Penyajaan comes from the Balinese word Jaja meaning cake in English. Penyajaan Galungan is a special day to start making a Balinese cake for Galungan Day. Made in traditional ways and using local ingredients – Suji leaves to make green – turmeric to make yellow. This traditional cake is used as an offering on Galungan Day.
The purpose of Penyajaan Day is to prepare yourself for sorting out which is goodness (Dharma) and which is evil (Adharma) through Yoga or Tapa Brata (silent meditation) and the Balinese people reflect it by making a good quality of Jaja Bali (Balinese Cake).
2. Penampahan Galungan
One day before Galungan, Balinese people do the ritual of Natab Sesayut (Sesayut Pamyak Kala Laramelaradan). Sesayut is an offering made from coconut leaves with some Balinese cake, fruit like banana, orange and rice. This ritual aims to strengthen self-belief to win Goodness over Evil.
As a tradition, Balinese people prepare processed chicken or pork into Balinese foods like Lawar, Komoh (meat soup) and satay. Penampahan in English is slaughter.
Slaughtering chickens and pigs is actually a symbol of slaughtering greedy traits such as:
- the bad nature of chicken
- the impure laziness of a pig
It should be accompanied by contemplation so that we earnestly try to slaughter the lazy and greedy qualities that may still be inherent in us.
On Penampahan Day Balinese people prepare a Penjor, a tall bamboo decorated with Palm leaves. Penjor is a symbol of Naga Basuki (Basuki Dragon) which brings supernatural powers and prosperity. Penjor should be raised on Penampahan day after 12 noon.
This ritual is celebrated with the ceremony of the Sesayut Natab Penamput (Sesayut Pamyak Kala Laramelaradan). The meaning of this ritual procession is to remind people to build the strength of Wiweka Jnana or build self-strength to be able to discriminate between Rwa Bineda, namely:
- Which is right and which is wrong.
- Which is good and which is bad.
- Which is proper and which is not appropriate.
Thus we can explicitly avoid mistakes that can lead us to an adharma life.
3. Galungan Day
Galungan Day is a day most awaited by Balinese people. After two days of preparation, starting Monday till Wednesday, all Balinese people dress up neatly, using Destar (traditional hat) for men, Kebaya for women, Kamben (sarong) and bring offerings for prayer. From six in the morning or before sunrise, all temples in Bali will be full of people praying.
4. Umanis Galungan
One day after Galungan day is Umanis Galungan. On this day, Balinese people visit each other, starting with neighbours and family who live in other villages. This day is also an opportunity to visit recreation areas.
Kuningan Day, which marks the end of the Gaungan holiday, is ten days after Galungan (usually a Saturday). The Balinese believe that Kuningan day is the day when their ancestors return to heaven after visiting the earth during the Galungan celebration.
Kuningun Day
Kuningan Day – The End of the Galungan Celebration
It is believed that on this particular day, the Supreme God Sang Hyang Widi descends to earth to give blessings to all people. As a closure to the series of Galungan rituals, Kuningan also marks the return of the gods and goddesses and all ancestors to their own realm.
The Balinese believe that Kuningan day is the day when their ancestors return to heaven after visiting the earth during Galungan celebration. They make offerings to be given to the ancestors on their farewell day. The offerings include yellowed rice (Kuningan is derived from the word kuning which means yellow) which is placed in a small “bowl” made of coconut leaves. The yellow rice is the symbol of human gratitude towards God for all the life, joy, wealth, health and prosperity given.
On Kuningan day you can see tamiang and endongan decorations hanging outside homes and temples.
Tamiang is formed as a round shield to represent protection, defence, and the cycle of the globe. It functions as a reminder to humans of karma and that they should protect themselves from bad behaviour.
Endongan means bag of provisions. It is made of coconut leaves and shaped like a bag or a pocket. The Balinese put different things like seeds and fruits inside the endongan. Some people see it as a symbol of food supply for the journey of the ancestors from earth to heaven. From a spiritual view, endongan represents the essential provisions that every human should carry; knowledge and homage.
In some villages, especially in the Gianyar region, costumed Barongs – lion-like creatures – go from house to house followed by kids playing traditional Balinese musical instruments. If a Barong arrives in front of your house, you should give an offering called canang with sesari (money) on it. After receiving the offering; the Barong will dance and bless your house and your family.