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Bali is the land of diverse religions and cultures. So it is very obvious that the calendar of events of Bali will be equally colorful and diversified. The

Galungan

Festival in Bali is one of the major festivals here. This festival is the most important festival for Balinese. The Galungan Festival symbolizes the victory of Dharma (Virtue) upon Adharma (Evil), filled with cultural rites and ceremonies

Occurring once in every 210 days in the pawukon (Balinese cycle of days), Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremony that is celebrated by all Balinese. Galungan Day signifies "Pawedalan Jagat" or the earth's festival ceremony.

On the eve of Galungan Festival the Hindus thank God for his creations on earth and its content. On this day the Hindus express their gratitude to God and invite him to come down to earth and join in their celebrations. The Galungan Festival goes on for 10 days. At some Balinese festivals the 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 has a mythological reference. There was a cruel king called Mayadenawa. The death of the King Mayadenawa is the victory of the good (Dharma) upon evil (Adharma). This victory day is celebrated every six months (6x35 days=210 days), which is called Galungan Day. It is called Galungan, probably because it is celebrated on wuku Galungan (based on the Balinese calendar), and so does Kuningan Day that falls on wuku Kuningan. Galungan Day is celebrated every Budha Kliwon Dungulan. One of the essential commodities for Galungan Festival is Penjor. Penjor is made of 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. Penjor is usually built on Penampahan Galungan (a day before the Galungan Day). It is symbolizes Mount Agung and 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. There are different stages in Galungan Festival and each element has its own symbolization

During this period the most important regular religious celebrations in the pawukon cycle are held and marked with the thousands of long decorated bamboo poles named

Penjor

. erected along the side walks and at each family compound entrance gate.

Deified family ancestors descend to their former homes during Galungan and must be entertained and welcomed with prayers and offerings. Meanwhile, other families with deceased relatives who are buried but not yet cremated must make offerings at the graves. Everyone participates in these celebrations.

Penjors, the long bamboo poles hung with offerings, are erected at the front of the house compound entrance gate. All trade practically ceases during Galungan days, schools are closed and village life concentrates exclusively upon the events surrounding this very sacred period.

The day before Galungan is called Penyekeban day (a day to cover up fermented cakes) where green bananas are sealed in huge clay pots upon which a small coconut husk is placed. Lots of bananas are required for Galungan offerings, and this heat treatment ripens them quickly.

Penyajaan day, which falls on Monday, is devoted to making many colored cakes of fried rice dough that are much loved by the Balinese and used in many ceremonies as offerings. The village markets are full of Balinese cakes, since a busy house wife has no time to make enough herself.

The day prior to Galungan day, called Penampahan (slaughter day), sees the slaughter of many pigs for the traditional Galungan morning feast. Featured in this feast is the traditional lawar (a spicy hash made of finely chopped pork and numerous spices). Likewise, five different kinds of hash are prepared to make dozens of sticks of minced "satay". Galungan day itself is a time for prayers, family get togethers and offerings, and little work is done.

The day after Galungan is called Umanis Galungan because it falls on the umanis day of the five-day week. The roads in some parts of Bali are jammed with cars, motorbikes and even thousands of pedestrians because Umanis Galungan is a time for holiday, visiting friends and fun.