Galungan & Kuningan Day In Bali

Galungan Days are the important religious celebrations for Balinese Hindus.  
Galungan means ‘Pawedalan Jagat’ or ‘Oton Gumi’ and signifies the ‘Universe’s Birthday’. Philosophically, it does not mean that the universe is considered to have been born on this day.
It is the day when the Hindus devote the gratitude to ‘Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa’ (God Almighty) for the creation of the universe and the things within. 

 THE HISTORY

The history of Galungan refers to the ‘Mayadenawa’ epic legend. It is said that once upon a time, a long time ago, the powerful king named Mayadenawa reigned in Balingkang, a few kilometers north of Lake Batur, Kintamani in the Bangli Regency. 

Mayadenawa was the offspring of daitya’ (giant), son of the Goddess Danu. By his supernatural power, he was able to manifest into the shapes of various creatures. It was said that Mayadenawa ruled some areas in the Indonesian archipelago, which made him arrogantly evil.  

There was a holy powerful priest named ‘Mpu Kulputih’ living during that time who taught the Hindism. Mayadenawa had forbidden the Bali people to devote to God or practice Hinduism. He destroyed their shrines and temples. His arrogant deeds resulted in suffering to be brought upon the people. Plantations died, famine and diseases prevailed in the land. Despite this suffering, the people did not rise up against the king. Concerned about the suffering of the people, Mpu Kulputih meditated in the temple at Besakih. He asked God to solve the problem. Whilst meditating he received a vision from the God Mahadewa that he should go to Jambu Dwipa (India).

The story does not mention exactly who went to India, but then it was said that shortly after the pilgrimage, a heavenly army came down to attack Mayadenawa. 
The army was led by the God Indra, assisted by ‘Citrasena’ and ‘Citraganda’ on the right wing, while ‘Jayantaka’ led the left wing. Gandarwa led the rest of the troops.   

God Indra had sent Bhagawan Narada to spy on Mayadenawa’s kingdom. When this was discovered by Mayadenawa, he alerted and prepared his army to face God Indra in battle. Many died, but God Indra’s was victorious. At night, when God Indra’s troops slept, Mayadenawa cunningly created ‘tirtha cetik’ (poisonous water). He then escaped by walking his angled feet sideways to minimize footprints on the ground. 

The place passed by Mayadenawa was known as ‘Tampaksiring’ which literally means ‘angled footsteps’.  The poisonous water, poisoned God Indra’s troops. To counteract the poisoned water, God Indra created another spring to cure them. The water sprayed out from the ground, and then flowing to form a river. The place where the holy water sprayed out then called as ‘Tirta Empul’ means “spraying water”, and the river then known as ‘Tukad (River) Pakerisan.’ God Indra pursued Mayadenawa. In, retreat, Mayadenawa manifested as a ‘manuk raya’ meaning ‘big fowl’, in an area now known as the ‘Manukaya’ village. 

Mayadenawa continued to retreat, several times manifesting into shapes known as ‘buah timbul’ (a name of fruit), in a place now called the Desa village Timbul. 
He also manifested as ‘busung’ (young coconut leave), in a place known as Desa Blusung. He became a Goddess (dewata), in a place know as as Desa Kedewatan in Ubud. Finally, Mayadenawa turned his shape into a big rock. But, God Indra was able to kill him, and his blood flood the ground flowing as a river. 
To this day, the river called ‘Tukad Petanu’. It is believed that the river was cursed. Its water may not used to water the farm. It is said that if rice is harvested from a farm watered by the river, blood will flow from the plantation, and an odour of a corpse will prevail. This curse is believed to last 1000 years. 

The death of Mayadenawa was celebrated as a triumph of religious followers over Atheism. The day celebrated every six-month of Balinese calendar and named as the Galungan because it occurs on wuku Galungan.

PENJOR

Galungan day is the day of rituals, festivities and celebrations with "Penjor" the artistically decorated bamboo-pole stuck at every house entrance, adorning the both sides of the village-roads symbolizing of prosperity. 

Penjor is the symbol of Mount Agung and also the symbol of the presence of the God. It is made from a long bamboo pole with its curved end, and decorated with rice paddies, corn on the cob, coconut, cakes, a piece of white or yellow cloth, etc. This as a sign for reminding the human that everything we enjoy in this world is from the God. Penjor is usually made on Penampahan Galungan (a day before the Galungan Day). It is the symbol of Mount Agung, and also as gratitude for the agricultural produce. Mount Agung is the symbol of holiness as a connection to Mount Semeru, Mount Himalaya, or Mahameru, which is believed as the place where Bhatara Putra Jaya stays.

THE PROCESSIONS OF GALUNGAN DAY

There are several processions need to be done to celebrate Galungan Day: 

• Sugian Jawa (Wrespathi Wage Sungsang) (6 days before Galungan), It is the day to purify ‘Bhuwana Agung’ (bhuwana means world; agung means big), the day when Gods and Goddesses accompanied by holy ancestral spirits (pitara) come down to earth to bless the universe. On this day, Pengerebon offering and puspa wewangian (fragrance flowers) are dedicated to the Gods and holy ancestral spirits in the family shrines.
• Sugian Bali (Sukra Keliwon Sungsang) (5 days before Galungan), It is the day to purify ‘Bhuwana Alit’ (alit means small) or human’s body and soul. During this day, Balinese people purify themselves by praying and concentrating minds to God Almighty. On this day, it is suggested to visit temples for praying and learning more deeply about the holy book of Weda.
• Saniscara Umanis Sungsang (4 days before Galungan), It is the day to prepare the celebration of Galungan Day, the day to prepare mentally and physically in peace, patience, alertness and devotion. On this day, the women usually make ‘banten’ (offering made of young coconut leaves, flowers, and others).
• Penyebakan (Redite Pahing Dungulan) (3 days before Galungan), on this day, people begin to prepare the necessities for the Galungan ceremony. They collect fruits and store them in a special place until they get ripe.
• Penyajahan (Soma Pon Dungulan) (2 days before Galungan), on Penyajahan day, people keep on maintaining awareness, patience and the purity of the soul in order to control the demons. Another meaning of Penyajahan is making or cooking Balinese cakes (jaja). Therefore, on this day, people have to cook various kinds of Balinese cakes for the ceremony to come.
• Penampahan (Anggara Wage Dungulan) (1 day before Galungan), this is a sacrificial day. This is the day to slaughter sacrificial animals like chickens, ducks or pigs. People cook them into various kinds of Balinese food, such as sate, soup, lawar (a special Balinese food made of meat or vegetables, mixed with coconut sauce).
• Galungan Day (Buda Keliwon Dungulan) on the Galungan day itself, Balinese Hindus go to temples and other holy places to pray. People are dressed in colorful Balinese costumes. Women carry the offerings on their heads and men bring palm leave offerings in their hands, while the children walk hand in hand next to their parents.
• Manis Galungan (Wrespati Umanis Galungan) (1 day after Galungan), on this day, Balinese Hindu communities usually visit their relatives, friends and neighbors. They forgive each other and remain together. It is also a day to relax and visit places of interest, after the long days of preparations for the celebration.  
• Pahing Galungan (Sukra Pahing Dungulan) (2 days after Galungan), It is the day when Balinese people are still in alert with pure heart. During this day, people pray in temples or family shrines.
• Pamaridan Guru (Saniscara Pon Dungulan)(3 days after Galungan), It is the day when Gods and Goddess return to heaven, accompanied by the holy ancestral spirits (pitara). It is the day when God bestows prosperity to mankind. On this day, Balinese people do tirtha yatra (visit to temples), making offerings and prayers. 
• Ulihan (Redite Wage Kuningan)(4 days after Galungan), It is the day when Balinese people honor the holy ancestral spirits (pitara) who has left earth and continue their duty to fight for the truth (dharma). On this day, people concentrate their mind to God Almighty and to holy ancestral spirits, asking for blessing and keeping away from disasters or bad things.  

THE PROCESSIONS OF KUNINGAN DAY 

There are several processions need to be done to celebrate Kuningan Day: 

• Pemacekan Agung (Soma Keliwon Kuningan) (5 days before Kuningan), the word ‘pemacekan’ is derived from 'pacek' which means the middle. On this day, Balinese people are in the middle of the purity of the heart. It is the day to pray for good will and the purity of the heart. As this day is considered as the highlight of holiness, Segehan Agung (big offering) is put in front of the main gate. 
• Anggara Umanis Kuningan (4 days before Kuningan), it is the day when Balinese people do various preparations for the upcoming Kuningan Day. 
• Pujawali Bhatara Wisnu (Buda Pahing Kuningan) (3 days before Kuningan), it is the day when the protector of the universe, God Wisnu, comes down to earth. On this day, Balinese people worship God Wisnu, the Great Preserver of the Universe, for the protection of the world.  
• Penyajaan Kuningan (Wrespati Pon Kuningan) (2 days before Kuningan), it is a preparation day for Kuningan.  
• Penampahan Kuningan (Sukra Wage Kuningan) (1 day before Kunimgan), it is the day to do various preparations especially the offerings for the religious celebration of Kuningan Day.  
• Tumpek Kuningan (Saniscara Kliwon Kuningan), is the day when Gods and Goddesses accompanied by the holy ancestral spirits (pitara) come down to earth again to bless the people and the universe. It is believed that they will return to heaven in the midday. On this day, Balinese people do self-introspection by doing a meditation for human's prosperity. Segehan Agung (big offering) is put on the house yard and offerings for the family members are also served.  
• Pegat Wakan (Buda Kliwon Pahang), this day is the end of meditation that has been done for 42 days since Sugian Jawa. On this day, Balinese people dedicate sesayut dirghayusa and penyeneng offerings to the Supreme God, Hyang Widhi Wasa. Penjors in front of houses or buildings are put down, and then burned.

  Rahajeng Rahinan Jagad Galungan lan Kuningan 

Dumogi Asung Kertha Nugraha Kapica 

Ring Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa