Galungan Day
Galungan Day in 2020 falls on 16 September and is a Balinese holiday celebrating the victory of dharma over adharma. It marks the time when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth and is related to Diwali, which also celebrates the same victory. Diwali, however, is held at the end of the year.
The most obvious sign of the celebrations are the penjor – bamboo poles with offerings suspended at the end. These are installed by the side of 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.
The last of the celebration is Kuningan Day when the spirits return and the Balinese have a responsibility to be hospitable and welcoming to their past ancestors. The days around Kuningan Day are marked by the organization of particular activities.
3 days before Cooking of bananas for offerings
2 days before Making of fried rice cakes
1 day before Slaughtering of pigs or chickens for feasts
1 day after Visiting family
2 days after Prayers, offerings, spirits return to heaven
3 days after Fun
Schools across Bali are closed for 2 weeks for the holidays.
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