GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN in Bali, Indonesia

Celebrating the victory of good against evil

Galungan is a Balinese holiday which celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma (the triumph of good over evil). It marks the time when ancestral spirits of deceased relatives visit the Earth. The last day of the celebration is Kuningan, when they leave earth. The spirits of deceased relatives return to visit their former homes and the Balinese have a responsibility to be hospitable and welcoming to their past ancestors through prayers and offerings throughout their home. The most obvious sign of the celebrations are the penjor - bamboo poles with offerings suspended at the end which line the roads.

Galungan is a big, happy celebration where people connect with god, eat good Balinese food and dresses up in traditional clothes to visit the temples and their families.

A number of days around Galungan and Kuningan day have special names and are marked by the organization of particular activities. Galungan begins on the Wednesday of Dunggulan, the 11th week of the 210-day pawukon calendar. This means that there are often two celebrations each year (each approximately 7 months apart). All schools across Bali are closed for 2 weeks for the holidays.