Hindus in Bali celebrated Galungan Day on Wednesday (19/11/2025). Since early morning, thousands of worshippers began gathering at Jagatnatha
Temple in the center of Denpasar City to carry out their prayers. The largest temple in Denpasar was also visited by several foreign tourists who wanted to witness Bali’s unique religious traditions firsthand.
Galungan, celebrated every six months according to the Balinese calendar, is one of the most important holy days for Hindus. By 8:00 a.m. Central Indonesia Time, long lines of worshippers were already forming at Jagatnatha Temple.
They arrived after performing prayers at their homes before continuing the ritual at the temple.
Not only residents of Denpasar, but Hindus from various regions in Bali also chose to pray at this temple. One of them was Nengah Neni, a resident from Karangasem.
“This has already become our routine to pray at Jagatnatha Temple and several other temples such as Tanah Kilap Temple. For me personally, I didn’t go back to my hometown because we already have a large family shrine (sanggah) at home. I will return to Karangasem during Kuningan,” she said.
Bali’s strong cultural identity also attracts many tourists. Viviane, a visitor from Finland, said she was impressed by her first experience witnessing the atmosphere of Galungan in Bali.
According to Beritasatu, “I see Galungan as something new, something beautiful. Using flowers, rice grains on the forehead, and wearing traditional clothing. It makes Bali stick immediately to the heart. This is my first time coming to Bali, and it won’t be the last,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ida Bagus Saskara, a priest (pemangku) at Jagatnatha Temple, reminded worshippers to interpret Galungan as a moment to strengthen spiritual connection with their ancestors.
According to Mediaindonesia, “Prayers on Galungan Day begin at home because we interpret it as the victory of dharma over adharma. So it starts with ourselves—praying to our ancestors first. At this moment, our ancestors come and visit their descendants who always remember them,” he explained.
He added that after performing prayers at home, worshippers then visit various temples in Bali, including Jagatnatha Temple, to continue the series of religious rituals.
Galungan and Kuningan are not merely ancestral traditions but spiritual celebrations that affirm the triumph of righteousness over evil. These holy days serve as reminders for Hindus to cultivate harmony, gratitude, and a deeper relationship with their ancestors.
Hindus were seen carrying keben (bamboo baskets for offerings) while wearing matching traditional kebaya attire during the Galungan prayer procession in Lukluk Village, Badung, Bali, Wednesday (19/11/2025).
Hundreds of residents in the village carry out this tradition every Galungan, walking together in procession while bearing offerings or sacred objects toward the temple to celebrate the victory of Dharma (truth) over Adharma (evil).
Sources: Mediaindonesia, Beritasatu
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