18/11/2025
GALUNGAN and KUNINGAN
Preparations are underway throughout Bali for the religious festivals of Galungan and Kuningan, which will take place from November 19th to 29th.
Galungan, a deeply spiritual and traditional festival in Bali, boasts a long history and mythological roots. For the Balinese, Galungan is not only a celebration but also an expression of gratitude to God, a symbol of the struggle against evil, and an honoring of their ancestors. With Galungan, the Balinese commemorate the victory of good over evil and pay tribute to their ancestors; it is thus an important part of their identity and belief system.
According to Balinese Hindu belief, during Galungan, the spirits of deceased relatives return to their former homes. It is the duty of the Balinese to show hospitality to their ancestors through prayers and offerings, welcoming them into their homes.
Kuningan marks the last day of the Galungan festival. On this day, the ancestors and gods return to heaven after ten days on Earth.
In preparation for Galungan and Kuningan, the people of Bali gather to make Penjor poles as an expression of their gratitude for the bountiful harvest. Made of bent bamboo, these Penjor poles symbolize the highest mountain, the abode of the gods, and are adorned with offerings. They serve as a reminder that the abundant harvest is a gift from the almighty god Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa.
Galungan and Kuningan are determined according to the 210-day Pawukon calendar.
The Story of Galungan
Galungan is based on an ancient epic tale of the bitter struggle between a tyrannical king named Mayadenawa and Indra, the ruler of the gods.
The epic begins with a powerful and arrogantly proud king from antiquity. King Mayadenawa, a descendant of giants, ruled the kingdom of Bali with an iron fist. His invincibility led him to believe he was a deity who deserved to be worshipped by all. But he was not only arrogant, he was also notorious for his cruelty. He owed his extraordinary strength to his unwavering faith in Shiva, one of the gods of the Hindu trinity. He earnestly begged Shiva to grant him the power to change his shape at will—a request Shiva graciously granted. Thus, Mayadenawa became a mighty giant who could change his form at will.
Mayadenawa's arrogance reached its peak when he considered himself a god whom his subjects should worship. He destroyed temples and forbade the worship of the deities who truly deserved veneration. The people of Bali lived in constant fear, for the tyrannical king's rule was relentless. No one dared to oppose him, and the people suffered immeasurably.
Amidst this darkness, a wise priest named Sangkul Putih emerged as a beacon of hope for the people of Bali. He was also the high priest of Pura Besakih, one of Bali's most important religious sites. When Sangkul Putih witnessed the suffering of the people and the devastation wrought by Mayadenawa, he felt compelled to act.
At Pura Besakih, Sangkul Putih began a deep meditation known as Tapa Yoga, in which he sought guidance from the gods on how to confront the threat posed by Mayadenawa. During his meditation, he received a divine revelation from Shiva. This revelation instructed him to travel to Jambu Dwipa in India and seek help.
Without hesitation, he embarked on the long journey to India and pleaded with the powerful gods and goddesses for aid. Indra, who led the assembly of gods, understood the plight of the Balinese people and pledged his support. The assembly of gods prepared to battle Mayadenawa and his vast army.
A fierce battle was inevitable. Through his spy network, Mayadenawa had been informed of the impending arrival of the divine army. He meticulously prepared his troops for battle against the gods. The battlefield soon transformed into a bloody massacre, and losses on both sides mounted rapidly.
But Mayadenawa was not content with victory alone. During a lull in the fighting at night, he devised a diabolical plan. Using his shapeshifting abilities, he infiltrated Indra's army and poisoned their water source. This treacherous plan was intended to destroy the gods that very night.
Indra, who possessed immense power, recognized this danger and immediately created a new spring of water that could heal and save his soldiers. With his divine power, Indra healed all those poisoned, and they were ready to resume the fight.
Once the divine army had recovered, they continued their pursuit of Mayadenawa, who constantly changed his form to evade capture. He even transformed himself into a giant bird, which led to the founding of the village of Manukaya. But all these efforts ultimately proved futile in the face of Indra's unwavering resolve.
The protracted battle reached its climax when Indra finally killed Mayadenawa. The tyrannical king's blood flowed, forming the Sungai Petanu River. This river, it is said, was cursed by the wrath of the gods. When his water was used to irrigate the fields, the plants grew quickly, but during the harvest, blood flowed, accompanied by a foul odor.
Indra's victory over Mayadenawa is considered a triumph of good over evil.
Wherever you are in Bali, don't miss the opportunity to participate in Galungan Kuningan. You are welcome everywhere.
If you would like to learn more about Bali, download our free travel guide (German/English). Click: www.frangipani-inn-and-restaurant-enjoy-the-paradise.com We wish you lots of fun planning your vacation.
I look forward to accompanying you on your visit to Bali and showing you the island's cultural heritage.
