17/04/2025
Galungan is a vibrant and spiritually significant festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bali, Indonesia. This Hindu Balinese festival marks the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil) and the return of Balinese gods and ancestors to the island. The festival lasts for 10 days, with Galungan as its central day, occurring every 210 days in the Balinese Pawukon calendar. This year's festivities begin on April 25, 2025.
Preparations for Galungan begin well in advance, as Balinese families clean and decorate their homes, create intricate penjor (decorative bamboo poles), and prepare elaborate offerings. On Galungan day, the island comes alive with colorful processions, traditional music, and vibrant dances. The streets are adorned with penjor, symbolizing the mountains and the victory of good over evil.
Central to the Galungan festivities is the act of visiting temples to offer prayers and make offerings. Balinese Hindus believe that during this time, the deities and ancestors descend to visit their earthly homes. The Balinese perform the mesmerizing Barong dance, depicting the eternal struggle between good and evil.
A unique feature of Galungan is the exchange of traditional cakes known as "jaja," symbolizing the importance of unity and harmony within the community. Families come together, and the entire island is immersed in a joyous atmosphere.
As the festival concludes with Kuningan, a day of special prayers and offerings, the Balinese express gratitude for the spiritual presence of their ancestors.