Galungan: Wednesday May 3rd

Galungan, the most important event of th year for the Balinese, starts tomorrow. Galungan, is the time when the spirits of ancestors come back to Earth, to observe the religious celebrations. Ancestor worship, as well as idolatry and recognition of geographical features, is part of Balinese Agama Hindu.

Galungan is a time where every Balinese will return to their village, to be with family and its a time of celebration. Young Balinese have giggled with excitement, when I have asked them about Galungan. Killing a pig is to them, what getting the turkey ready is to us westerners who celebrate Christmas.

Tourists will be slightly affected by Galungan, as many of the shops and restaurants will be closed for a day or 2. Today I ate lunch ate Cafe Moka and it was busy with tourists. Most of the staff are Balinese and will be heading home later today. Out in the street, no mater where you go in Bali, you will see penjors, the dropping bamboo-pole offerings, that are ceremonial alters.

Galungan is an annual event on the wuku, calendar, which has 210 days. The 10 day festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, with the spirits of ancestors joining in. Every house makes many special offerings as well as the penjor, animals are slaughtered and the whole island is in a state of celebration, although tourists are not really part of it.

On the first day of Galungan, Balinese people will be at home offering prayers at the family temple. The next day they will visit relatives. Galungan is a time for reflection and people may apologize to others for sins committed over the last year. The last day of the 10 day festival is called Kuningan. This is the most important day, and the marks the moments ancestors return to heaven. Special ceremonies are undertaken at temples. For a tourist, one of the best places to observe Kuningan is Serangan Island, home of 2 temples. Thousands of Balinese congregate their and respectfully observing in okay.