We have been in Bali for a little over two weeks now and already have noticed a few ceremonies the biggest of which is Galungan.
Galungan is a 10 day celebration symbolizing the victory of Dharma (Virtue) over Adharma (Evil).
On the eve of Galungan the Balinese thank the Gods and invite them to earth to celebrate with numerous offerings and a feast.
This feast, is held throughout the island and is an annual event in the wuku calendar occurring every 210 days. The last and most important day of the ten day festival is called Kuningan.
Images of the Gods as well as the thrones they sit on are carried down to the sea where they are given a ceremonial bath.
The Galungan Festival is believed to be based on the death of a cruel king called Mayadenawa. The death of the King is the victory of the good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma).
One of the reasons we noticed the beginning of Galungan is the numerous Penjor hanging along the roads of Bali. Penjor are made of a long bamboo pole decorated with rice, corn, coconut, cakes and a piece of white or yellow cloth. They symbolize Mount Agung and gratitude for 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.
