Last week, after celebrating Kuningan, which marks the end of the Galungan festivities and the departure of the ancestors from the family temples, we installed a magnificent billiard table in the large lobby room. We discovered on this occasion that in a small village 10 km from Dajuma, surrounded by nature, there was a billiard manufacturer known throughout Bali and even exporting to other islands and abroad. A great novelty that should delight our guests!
Bali never stops partying: after celebrating Christmas and the New Year, it’s the turn of the Balinese New Year whose festivities will last 10 days, from January 4 (Galungan) to January 14 (Kuningan). It is a good opportunity to decorate the streets with magnificent panjore and to make offerings to the gods and ancestors who come down to earth during this period. For Balinese, it is also an opportunity to visit family, sometimes far away, which generates heavy traffic on the roads. A joyful and meaningful celebration which delights our guests!
From June 8 to 18, like every 210 days, Bali celebrates Galungan and Kuningan again. 10 days to celebrate the return of the gods and ancestors to earth and the victory of good over evil. A magnificent tradition full of meaning, which makes the island even more beautiful with its processions and its “penjors” erected along the roads. So wish our staff and their families, after months of pandemic-related deprivation, a particularly happy and festive Galungan and Kuningan. As we say in Bahasa “Selamat Hari Raya Galungan and Kuningan!
From November 10 to 20, like every 210 days, Bali celebrates the Balinese New Year with 2 major highlights called Galungan (November 10) and Kunigan (November 20). During this festive period, all the gods of Bali, including Supreme Deity Sanghyang Widi, descend to earth to celebrate the creation of the universe and the victory of good over evil. The Balinese believe that their ancestors came back to earth to participate in the festivities, have fun, and enjoy the offerings.
To prepare Galungan, 6 days before, the Balinese carry out 2 purification rituals called Sugihan Jawa and Sugihan Bali. Sugihan Jawa has nothing to do with the island of Java and is called so because it was a tradition that originated from the Majapahit Empire. On this day, the Balinese present offerings to “cleanse” the universe (Bhuana Agung / Macrocosm) and usually come to the temples of the village (three main temples) to pray.
5 days before Galungan on a Friday, it is the Sugihan Bali ritual. It’s similar to Sugihan Jawa, but this time the Balinese “cleanse” themselves (Bhuana Alit / Microcosm) and pray at home. Both of these ceremonies are really important to do, indicating that we are ready to welcome Galungan with a clean and holy nature and spirit. In the photo, the majestic “penjors” which adorn the streets for Galungan. A masterpiece of beauty and spirituality!
Balinese celebrated the first Kuningan in 2021 on Saturday, April 24th. In this holy Kuningan Day it is said that Ida Sang Hyang Widhi (God) comes to earth to give his blessing to humans. It is technically the last day of the Galungan celebration. The Balinese also believe that Kuningan is the day when their ancestors return to heaven after visiting the earth during Galungan celebration. There are some typical decorations and offerings on this occasion such as nasi kuning or yellow rice, endongan, tamyang, and kolem. The offerings include yellowed rice (Kuningan is derived from the word kuning which means yellow) which is placed in a small “bowl” made of coconut leaves named “selanggi”. On Kuningan day you can see tamiang kolem, and endongan decorations hanging outside homes and temples. Tamiang means – because formed as a round – shield and represents protection, defense, and the cycle of the globe. It functions as a reminder to humans of karma and that they should protect themselves from bad behavior. Kolem as a symbol of resting place for Gods and ancestors ’spirits. Endongan means bag of provisions. It is made of coconut leaves and shaped like a bag or a pocket. The Balinese put different things like seeds, fruits, tuber inside the endongan. It also a symbol of food supply for the journey of the ancestors from earth to heaven. From a spiritual view, endongan represents the essential provisions that every human should carry-knowledge and homage. On the picture is Endongan made of young coconut leaves.
Last Saturday Balinese have completed the sequence of Galungan festival by celebrating Kuningan Day as the closing. Every ceremony in Bali has its uniqueness, for example Galungan’s landmark is the Penjor (decorated bamboo). Kuningan day also has its uniqueness, Balinese have a special decoration for it called Tamiang. On Kuningan day, all the temples and houses are decorated with the tamiang shown on the picture. It is made of young coconut or palm leaves and colorfully decorated. The word tamiang is a reminiscence of a shield, a form of shield commonly used in war. Tamiang is often interpreted as a symbol of self-protection. Tamiang, when seen from its round shape, is also often understood as a symbol of the Dewata Nawa Sanga who became God of the nine cardinal directions.
One of the biggest celebration for Hindu people in Bali are Galungan and Kuningan days. They are celebrated every 210 days of Balinese calendar, Galungan being always on Wednesday (Sept 16th) and Kuningan (Sept 26th) on Saturday (10 days after Galungan). It celebrates the victory of Dharma over Adharma (the triumph of good over evil). It marks the time when ancestral spirits of deceased relatives visit the Earth. The last day of the celebration is Kuningan, when they leave earth. The spirits of deceased relatives return to visit their former homes and the Balinese have a responsibility to be hospitable and welcoming to their past ancestors through prayers and offerings throughout their home.
Galungan is also dedicated as a day of Family Gathering, a day after the Galungan most of the Balinese families will visit each other’s house. When they visit their family house, they will enjoy the food that has been prepared such as fruits, cakes and many other things that they already used for their offerings. This time, because of the pandemic and the restrictions of gatherings, the celebrations are different from what they usually are. But the Balinese spirit is anyway there, full of joy and happiness.
Galungan celebration will start in a few days, on July 24th. It happens every 210 days when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth until they return 10 days later for Kuningan on August 3rd. In Dajuma, we are used to celebrate this important event. The most obvious signs of the celebration are these majestuous Penjors which decorate all the villages in Bali. Galungan is also the moment to remember that some people are disadvantaged and need help. This is what we do by donating to the elderly, poor widows, disabled people and orphanage of the surrounding villages some commodities such as rice, sugar, oil, coffee powder, tea.
Happy Galungan & Kuningan!
This year, both events will occur almost together, Galungan being on December 26th. By celebrating the victory of Dharma over Adharma, Galungan marks the time when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth. The last day of the celebration is Kuningan 10 days later, when they return. Galungan also marks the beginning of a new year in the 210-day Balinese calendar.
On the picture, Hendrah, Lely, Dina, Astari and Agus are happy to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Galungan on behalf of their 44 colleagues!
This year, Dajuma will celebrate with a lot of festivities, not only Christmas and the New Year but also Galungan and Kuningan which are almost at the same dates respectively December 26th for Galungan and January 5th for Kuningan, 10 days of celebration of the Balinese New Year which lasts 210 days in the Pawukon calendar.
Nice decorations all around the resort, live music, Balinese dances, fireworks, romantic atmosphere in a dreamy setting, and, above all, 2 gastronomic menus which will enchant your palate. Don’t wait until you book your Christmas/Galungan or New Year/Kuningan party at Dajuma!
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Christmas Menu 2018
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Dajuma New Years Buffet Menu
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