The Story Behind Balinese Galungan and Kuningan Festival
You may be amazed by the condition of Bali at a specific time since there are so many bamboo poles with various accessories. These bamboos are known as the Penjor. Balinese built Penjor during the Galungan and Kuningan Festivals. The interesting stories of Bali’s Galungan and Kuningan Festival tourists must know. The story will make you want to go to Bali and watch it immediately.
The Meaning Behind Galungan and Kuningan Festival
Galungan and Kuningan Festival is a big day in Bali. People are happy to welcome this festival. Building Penjor is one of the ways to show their happiness. Balinese are delighted this day because it is the time they relate to God.
It is the way people celebrate the victory of the triumph of good over evil or Dharma over Adharma. The beginning of the Galungan and Kuningan Festival is the time when good spirits visit the Earth. The last day of the festival is the time when they leave the earth.
During this festival, Balinese dress up in traditional clothes. Then, they will go to the temple with their beloved family members. After that, they go home and eat delicious Balinese dishes.
The Steps of Galungan and Kuningan Festival
People in Bali celebrate the Galungan and Kuningan Festival a few days before the main ceremony. Here are the steps of the festival from the beginning to the end.
Penyekaban
Penyekaban starts 3 days before the beginning of the Galungan and Kuningan Festival. Local people symbolize this day by covering up green bananas in huge clay pots and waiting for ripening. It represents the meaning of Penyekapan which means the day to cover up.
Penyajaan
It is two days before the main ceremony. It is known as Penyajaan Day when the people inspect themselves. The special thing about Penyajaan Day is that people are making a traditional Balinese rice cake known as Jaja. Jaja is made of fried and colored rice dough. They will serve Jaja on the main celebration of Galungan.
Penampahan
Penampahan is a day before Galungan and Kuningan Festival. On this day, Balinese people prepare their best pigs or chicken. They will cook the meat to get blessed by the Gods. Lawar is one of the traditional Balinese dishes served on Penampahan Day. Lawar consists of satay from the meat with spicy salad for the condiment.
Galungan Day
It is the main day of the festival. Balinese people wear traditional Balinese clothes with complete accessories. They will go to the temple with the entire family members while bringing all the dishes they have cooked a few days before.
They also pray that the tomorrow will be better for them. At the same time, temples in Bali look more attractive than on regular days. People add various colorful accessories to the temples to show their happiness.
Manis Galungan
The ceremony is not done yet after the Galungan Festival. Balinese people still celebrate Kuningan which is done after the Galungan Festival. The first day after Galungan people visit their relatives and family members. That’s why the road looks so crowded during this day. Some people often go to attractive destinations, such as the Botanical Garden in Bedugul.
Kuningan Festival
Balinese people celebrate the Kuningan Festival 10 days after Manis Galungan. In this festival, people go to the temple to pray and accompany spirits and ancestors to go home. They are even happier on this day because they believe that Sang Hyan Widi or God gives its blessing to all people on earth.
Manis Kuningan
Manis Kuningan is the last event in the Kuningan Festival. It is also the time when people spend more time with their family members. Some people even go out from their hometown in Bali to meet other relatives outside Bali.
During this festival, people are about to prepare themselves well. One of the preparations is by taking a spa. It is an opportunity for you who have a spa center in Bali. Be ready to welcome a lot of customers who want to prepare themselves for the Galungan and Kuningan Festival.
Ensure that your staff gets credible spa certificates and skills. Let them learn about the spa at Mandara & Spa Training Center to improve their skills. As a result, they can handle your customers well to gain their satisfaction.
Your staff is about to meet expert spa masters who will teach them spas from the basic to the advanced levels. This spa training center offers various packages, such as a day training, 3 days training, 5 days training for all levels, and 5 days training for experienced spa therapists. Just check the package your staff needs and register them right away. As a result, they are ready to welcome guests before Galungan and Kuningan Festival. Serving customers who want to celebrate the Galungan and Kuningan Festival can be your way to celebrate and be happy with the blees of God.