Penjor bamboo poles

Penjor are tall bamboo poles, decorated and arched at the top, that line the roads of Bali during Galungan and other ceremonies. Each household places one at its entrance, so whole villages become avenues of curving bamboo and woven palm leaf. They are among the most striking sights of the Balinese year and a clear signal that a major festival is underway.

A penjor is made from a long bamboo pole that curves toward the road, decorated with woven young palm leaf and hung with offerings such as rice, fruit, cakes and cloth. A small shrine is attached near the base, where offerings are placed. Penjor are often described as symbols of gratitude for prosperity and of the sacred mountain, with the curved tip representing its peak.

Making a penjor takes time and skill, and families prepare them in the days before Galungan, often helping one another. The results vary from simple to elaborate, and villages may take pride in their decorations. Visitors driving through Bali during Galungan will see roads transformed by these arching poles. They remain in place for weeks, slowly fading in the sun.