Galungan is one of the most important festivals in Bali, celebrating the victory of dharma, or good, over adharma, or evil. It is believed that the spirits of ancestors return to visit their family homes during this time, and they depart ten days later on Kuningan. For about two weeks, villages are decorated, families gather and temples fill with worshippers dressed in white and gold.
The festival follows the 210-day pawukon calendar, so it comes around roughly every seven months and can fall twice in one solar year. The day before Galungan, called Penampahan, is when pigs and chickens are slaughtered and food is prepared for feasts. Tall bamboo penjor are raised along the roads in front of every house. The next Galungan falls on January 13, 2027, with Kuningan on January 23; the following cycle brings Galungan on August 11 and Kuningan on August 21, 2027.
For visitors, Galungan is one of the most beautiful times to be in Bali. Roads lined with arching penjor create corridors of decoration, and families travel to their home villages to pray together. Many businesses close for a day or two, and some activities may be limited. On Kuningan, yellow rice is offered, and the celebrations reach their close. Watching a temple ceremony respectfully is a highlight of the season.
Highlights
- Roads lined with decorated penjor
- Families praying at village temples
- Festive meals and offerings
- Barong dancers visiting homes in some villages
Good to know
- Expect some shops, restaurants and services to close around Galungan day.
- Drive slowly through villages, where processions and families may fill the road.
- Ask permission before photographing people at prayer.
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