The Balinese festivals of Galungan and Kuningan take place every year, following the 210-day cycle of the Pawukon calendar. These celebrations honor the victory of good over evil and bring families across the island together in prayer and tradition.

What is Galungan ?

Legend has it that the god Indra defeated the tyrannical king Mayade Nawa, who had forbidden his people to practice Hinduism. After an epic battle, Indra restored order and peace.

These celebrations mark the start of the new year in the Pawukon calendar, the Balinese calendar with a 210-day year.

On the first day of Galungan, the spirits of the ancestors are supposed to visit Earth. The Balinese therefore decorate their homes to welcome them and show them that they are welcome.

For this reason, making a Penjor for Galungan is much more than a simple decoration. This traditional Balinese symbol, rich in meaning, is created using natural materials such as bamboo, palm leaves and offerings. Each element has a particular meaning, recalling abundance and gratitude.

For the more curious, here are the detailed steps involved in this ancestral craft! The Penjor is a symbol of prosperity, traditionally made for the Galungan celebrations in Bali.

• Curved bamboo is used as the base.
• Natural decorations such as palm leaves, rice, fruit and flowers are required.
• Attaching the ornaments: the top of the bamboo is decorated with interlaced palm leaves.
• Fruit, rice and flowers are attached to the structure to symbolize abundance and gratitude.
• Installation: the Penjor is placed in front of every house or temple, in homage to the deities, inviting prosperity and protection during Galungan.

See below a video demonstration by our friends the @ScoopyGang

A celebration rich in color and symbolism

During these festivities, Bali is transformed. Houses and roads are decorated with penjor, and Balinese families gather in temples, all dressed in white and yellow cloth, to pray and make offerings.

In homes and temples, Balinese families create offerings of flowers, rice and incense, carefully arranged in small woven leaf bowls. These offerings, made every morning, are an act of gratitude and respect to ancestral spirits and gods.

Families arrive in groups, usually dressed in their traditional garb, and are greeted with songs and prayers. The temples fill with the bewitching scent of incense and the bright colors of offerings.

Ceremonies include sacred dances performed by dancers in elaborate costumes, accompanied by traditional music played by gamelans (Balinese percussion orchestras). Visits to the temples are often followed by a family meal, where traditional dishes such as roast piglet are shared!

Ten days later, Kuningan marks the end of the celebrations, when the spirits of the ancestors return to the afterlife.

Want to join the festivities ?

If you’re lucky enough to visit Bali during Galungan, here are a few tips on how to enjoy the festival to the full:

• Respect local customs: If you’re visiting temples, be sure to wear a sarong and belt, and follow the rules of respecting local spirituality.
• Don’t be afraid to join in: Balinese people are open and welcoming. If you’re invited to share a meal or take part in a ceremony, you’re welcome to do so!

Immerse yourself in Balinese culture with our guides

To fully immerse yourself in Balinese festivals and traditions, there’s nothing better than discovering Bali with a local guide. They’ll invite you to take part in the rituals and explain the deeper meaning of these celebrations. Our guides will accompany you into the heart of Balinese temples and family homes. They’ll answer all your questions and even get you involved in local life!

If you’re looking for a guide for your trip to Bali, fill in this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.