Balinese Hindus are once again preparing to celebrate the deeply spiritual Galungan and Kuningan holidays. In 2025, Galungan will be observed on Wednesday, April 23, while Kuningan will follow ten days later, on Saturday, May 3.
As an agrarian society, Balinese culture has long been rooted in agriculture and farming. When harvests are bountiful, the community traditionally holds ceremonies and festivals to express gratitude. One such important celebration is Galungan, which marks both the success of the harvest and the spiritual triumph of good over evil.
According to Dr. I Nyoman Dayuh, a Hindu Religious Counselor at the Denpasar Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Galungan celebration in Bali is part of a full-month series of traditional rituals. These begin with Tumpek Wariga (also known as Tumpek Bubuh), followed by Sugihan Jawa, Sugihan Bali, Penyekeban, Penyajian, Penampahan, and finally, Galungan itself.
“Galungan is a joyful celebration for the success in agriculture, livestock, and plantations—a time to give thanks to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. Beyond that, it reminds us to maintain our food, clothing, and shelter resources. We must honor the Earth and preserve agricultural plants because without them, we cannot survive. Farming and livestock will always be vital as long as humans need food and basic needs,” Dr. Dayuh said, as quoted by rri.co.id.
He emphasized that agricultural life is essential and irreplaceable, especially in farming and livestock communities.
“The Galungan festival not only represents the gratitude of Bali’s agrarian society but also embodies harmony with nature. It’s also a guide to continuing our ancestral legacy, especially the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana,” he added.
Why Galungan Always Falls on a Wednesday and Kuningan on a Saturday
The Galungan and Kuningan festivals are unique in their timing. Galungan always falls on a Wednesday, while Kuningan is observed on a Saturday—ten days apart. This scheduling follows the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar cycle, not the Gregorian calendar.
Galungan is celebrated on Budha Kliwon Dungulan (Wednesday during the Dungulan week), and Kuningan occurs on Saniscara Kliwon Wuku Kuningan (Saturday of the Kuningan week). The first recorded Galungan celebration dates back to Wednesday Kliwon, Wuku Dungulan, Sasih Kapat, the 15th day of the year 804 in the Saka calendar, during a time when Bali was said to resemble Indra’s heavenly realm.
Philosophically, Galungan symbolizes the victory of dharma (goodness) over adharma (evil). It is a spiritual moment for Hindus to reflect and strengthen their commitment to righteousness. The clarity of thought and purity of heart are viewed as the manifestations of dharma within oneself.
The Meaning of Penjor in the Galungan Celebration
One of the most visually striking elements of the Galungan celebration in Bali is the penjor—a tall, curved bamboo pole decorated with coconut leaves, fruits, cakes, and other natural materials. But what does it truly symbolize?
In Balinese Hindu belief, the penjor represents the sacred mountain, often identified with Mount Agung, and is seen as a symbol of life and prosperity. “Penjor symbolizes Mount Agung,” according to the Lontar Jayakasunu, an ancient Balinese manuscript.
Each penjor is decorated with a shrine called sanggah for offerings, along with sampyan, lamak, various hanging ornaments, and produce like pala bungkah (root vegetables) and pala gantung (hanging fruits). These decorations are not just for show—they signify gratitude for the blessings provided by nature and the divine.
The penjor is installed on Penampahan Galungan, a day before the main Galungan festival, signifying that dharma is being upheld. After the full Galungan cycle ends, penjor poles are removed on Buda Kliwon Pahang, also known as Pegatwakan or Pegat Warah, which marks the conclusion of the ceremonial series. Traditionally, the penjor is then cleaned and burned.
Source: rri.co.id, detik.com
Photo Credit: ANTARA FOTO/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo via infopublik.id