In Balinese Hindu tradition, Galungan and Kuningan are two major religious festivals that carry deep spiritual significance.
Though they are often mentioned together, these celebrations differ in their timing, meanings, and ceremonial sequences. For many Hindus, Galungan and Kuningan are seen as complementary moments — one marking the victory of righteousness and the other expressing gratitude to God and ancestral spirits.
According to djkn.kemenkeu.go.id (Monday, April 21, 2025), Galungan is one of the most significant Hindu holy days, rich in philosophical meaning. It primarily symbolizes the eternal battle between good (dharma) and evil (adharma) within human life.
Celebrated every 210 days (approximately every six months in the Balinese calendar), Galungan also commemorates the creation of the universe. In Old Javanese, the word “Galungan” means “to fight,” and it is derived from dungulan, meaning “to win.”
Meanwhile, as cited from balisafarimarinepark.com, (Monday, April 21, 2025), Kuningan Day, also known as Tumpek Kuningan, marks the culmination and conclusion of the Galungan festival cycle.
Celebrated ten days after Galungan, Kuningan is a time to bid farewell to the ancestral spirits who are believed to have descended to the earthly realm. On this day, Hindus prepare nasi kuning (yellow rice) as a symbol of prosperity, gratitude, and suksmaning idep the spiritual consciousness of being human.
In Indonesia, Galungan in 2025 falls on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (Buda Kliwon Wuku Dungulan), and Kuningan is celebrated on Saturday, May 3, 2025 (Saniscara Kliwon Wuku Kuningan).
The Series of Galungan Ceremonies
Galungan is not limited to its main day; it is preceded by a series of important preparatory rituals:
– Penyekeban (three days before Galungan): Communities begin cooking bananas for offerings. The word penyekeban means “to close off,” as unripe bananas are enclosed in clay pots to ripen faster.
– Penyajaan (two days before Galungan): A time for reflection and preparation of traditional Balinese fried rice-flour cakes called jaja.
– Penampahan (one day before Galungan): This day involves the slaughtering of pigs or chickens for ceremonial offerings. It’s also when people erect penjor — bamboo poles adorned with ornaments, symbolizing Mount Agung, rivers, and sacred shrines (sanggah), representing gratitude and divine victory.
– Galungan Day: From early morning, Balinese Hindus perform prayers at home and at local temples. Like other major holidays, Galungan involves a “mudik” tradition, where people return to their hometowns to pray with family. The next day, called Umanis Galungan, is reserved for visiting relatives and strengthening social bonds.
The Series of Kuningan Ceremonies
According to lovebali.baliprov.go.id (Monday, April 21, 2025), Kuningan Day is celebrated with solemnity and devotion starting early in the morning. Hindus prepare offerings, perform prayers, and offer reverence to gods and ancestors believed to descend to receive their offerings.
A unique aspect of Kuningan is that all rituals must be completed before noon (tengai tepet). This is because it is believed the ancestral spirits and deities only remain on earth for half the day before returning to their divine realm.
This time constraint also reflects the balance of life — with morning to midday considered a period filled with positive energy, making it the most auspicious time to pray.
Kuningan rituals also include special decorative elements called jejahitan, spiritually symbolic items that resemble sacred battle gear, such as tamiang kolem, ter, ending, and wayang. Though brief in duration, Kuningan carries profound spiritual messages about gratitude and living in harmony.
Galungan and Kuningan are not merely religious festivities; they serve as deep reflections on life, virtue, and the relationship between humanity, ancestors, and the universe.
Through a rich array of rituals and meaningful symbols, Balinese Hindus are reminded to preserve harmony, strengthen their spirituality, and always associate every triumph with a deep sense of gratitude.
Source: via Kabar24
Feat Image: AntaraNews/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo