Happy….. What is it?? This week in Lembongan… there is a special time, called Galungan, a 10 days Balinese festival period. Full of Hindu religious ceremonies which culminates at Kuningan. This week started all the preparations in Lembongan, with many bamboo and palm leaves ornaments arriving to the shops and ready to be sold to the villagers. Temples where adorned and locals started to prepare their beautiful and unique ceremonial attires.
A number of “penjor” (bamboo poles with offerings pending at the end) are placed along the streets. Galungan (on the 7 th September), marks the beginning of the most important recurring ceremonies, and is calculated according to the 210 days Balinese calendar. One of the main characteristics of this ceremony time, is the inner struggle between Dharma and Adharma (or the spirit of evil and the spirit of good).
3 days before Galungan, Dharma (the evil) descends to earth to tempt Adharma. On this day, Balinese people start meditation, and bake cakes and tape (typical food for Galungan celebration), and start to gather offerings for Galungan day.
The next day, Dharma comes back to earth trying to tempt Adharma once again. One day before Galungan, is the third time Dharma comes back, and is believed to be the day when he tries the hardest to get Adharma to his side. This is the day when Balinese break with their bad behaviors, thoughts or manners, and finally Adharma (the good spirit) wins over Dharma (the evil spirit)
A series of ceremonies follows, resulting in an amazing experience for those fortunate people who can witness it. During these days, people walk around the villages in processions, or go visiting their friends and families in their best ceremony clothes. The whole atmosphere on the island is taken with the Galungan spirit, and Bali or Lembongan get to experience the magic of the local traditions.
So, in the mist of these amazing and wondrous days we would like to wish you a very Happy Galungan,
wherever you are!
