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Indonesia Destination Guides > When Victory comes…..
Indonesia : Bali : BALI BITS : When Victory comes…..
When Victory comes…..  On
June 18, 2003, the Hindus will celebrate the Galungan,
marking up the victory of ‘Dharma’ (order) defeats ‘Adharma’ (disorder). Galungan
Day occurs every 210 days besed on the Balinese traditional calendar system (about
every 6 months in Gregorian calendar). You’ll be amazed if you experience this
merrily celebration. ‘Penjors’ are erected at in front of every building cheering
up the ‘victory’, and seems smiling up to visitors to join in the festivities.
Galungan Day is precisely happens on Budha (Wednesday) Kliwon Dunggulan. This is a day in a Balinese ‘complicated’ calendar system. It will need a further learning to understand how the calendar systemized. But basically, a day in Balinese calendar comprises three elements, i.e. a Balinese week (Sunday to Saturday, with the particular names), the system of ‘Panca Wara’ (comprises five days), and the system of ‘Pawukon’ (comprises of 30 wuku/ pawukon’s units, every wuku lasted for about a week). Each day of the Balinese calendar system is made up by these three elements
Historically, the Galungan Day has been celebrated centuries ago in East Java, where the nowadays most of Balinese Hindus originated. There are two big kingdoms in East Java celebrated this special day, i.e. the Jenggala Kingdom in11th century (based on ‘Panji Alamat Rasmi’ script), and the great Majapahit Kingdom in 15th century (based on ‘Pararaton’ script)
The Galungan Day means as ‘Pawedalan Jagat’ or ‘Oton Gumi’ signifies the “Universe’s
Birthday”. Philosophically, it does not mean that the universe is considered to
birth on this day, but it is the day when the Hindus devote the gratitude to ‘Ida
Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa’ (God Almighty) for the creation of the universe comprises
everything included within. Therefore, this is a special day for Hindus to cheer
up for the blessings.
The history of Galungan Day refers to the legendary epic of ‘Mayadenawa’. It is
told that once upon a time, long time ago,  there
was a powerful king, namely Mayadenawa reigned in Balingkang, about some kilometers
north of Batur Lake, Kintamani – Bangli Regency now. Mayadenawa was the offspring
of ‘daitya’ (giant), son of Goddess Danu. By his supernatural power, he was able
to manifest in various shape s of creature. It was mentioned that the king mastered
some areas in the archipelago that made him arrogantly evil.
There was a holy powerful priest lived in that era, namely Mpu Kulputih who taught Hindu religion. But, Mayadenawa was strongly forbid the Bali people to devote to God. He destroyed shrines and temples.
The arrogant deed resulted suffers upon the people. Plantations died, famine and diseases hit the land. But, still the people got no guts to fight up the king. Concerned upon the suffering, Mpu Kulputih carried out meditation in Besakih Temple asking God to solve the problem. And within the meditation he got vision from God Mahadewa that he should go to Jambu Dwipa (India)
It was not mention clearly about who went to India, but then it was said that the Heaven Army came down to attack Mayadenawa. The army was led by God Indra, assisted by ‘Citrasena’ and ‘Citraganda’ on the right wing, while ‘Jayantaka’ led the left wing, and Gandarwa led the rest of the troops.
God Indra sent Bhagawan Narada to spy Mayadenawa Kingdom, but this was known by Mayadenawa, thus he alerted his army. And the battle broke up. Many were died, but the victory was on God Indra’s side. At night, when God Indra’s troops slept, Mayadenawa trickily created ‘tirtha cetik’(poisonous water). Then he runaway by walking his angled feet sideways to minimize footprints on the ground. The place passed by Mayadenawa then known as ‘Tampaksiring’ which literally means angled footsteps.
The poisonous water spoiled the troops. But then God Indra created another spring to cure them. The water sprayed out from the ground, and then flowing to form a river. The place where the holy water sprayed out then called as ‘Tirta Empul’ means “spraying water”, and the river then known as ‘Tukad (River) Pakerisan.’
They were then chasing after Mayadenawa. In the runaway, Mayadenawa manifested as ‘manuk raya’ (big fowl), in which the area was then called as ‘Manukaya’ village. He kept on running away, and for several times he manifested his body into some shapes, as ‘buah timbul’ (a name of fruit), so that the place called Desa (village) Timbul; he also manifested as ‘busung’ (young coconut leave), so the place known as Desa Blusung; he became a Goddess (dewata), so the place called as Desa Kedewatan of Ubud.
Finally, Mayadenawa turned his shape into a big rock. But, God Indra was able to kill him, and his blood flood the ground flowing as a river, and until now the river called as Tukad Petanu. It is believed that the river was cursed, in which the water of the river may not used to water the farm. It is said that the rice of farm watered by the river will be harvesting, but if it is picked, blood will be flowing from the plantation, and an odor of corpse will be smelled. This curse is believed to be ruled out for 1000 years.
The dead of Mayadenawa were then celebrated as the victory of religious followers upon the Atheism. The day celebrated every six-month of Balinese calendar system (a month comprises 35 days, so 6 months equal to 210 days), and named as the Galungan Day, because it occurs on wuku Galungan.
The series of The Galungan celebration is started by the Tumpek Wariga, a special day when offerings made for blessing the plantations; and ended in ‘Budha Keliwon Pegat Uwakan’ Day.
 Six days before the Galungan Day, called the ‘Sugian Jawa’, the day to purify the ‘Bhuwana Agung’ (‘bhuwana’ means “world”, ‘agung’ means “great”) – is when Gods and Goddesses accompanied by the ‘Pitara’ (holy ancestral spirits) come down to earth to bless the universe. The day after that, called ‘Sugian Bali’, is the day to purify the ‘Bhuwana Alit’ (‘alit’ means “small) or human’s body and soul, therefore during the day, every Balinese Hindu focuses in purifying his or her own body and soul, by praying and concentrating mind to God Almighty.
On the next day, called ‘Saniscara (Saturday) Umanis Sungsang’ is the day to prepare the celebration of Galungan Day. The women usually make ‘banten’ (offering made of young coconut leaves, flowers, and other elements). Following the next day is ‘Redite (Sunday) Pahing Dunggulan’, also called as ‘Penyekeban’ or ‘Penapean’, is the day to prepare the fruits and cakes to be used within the offerings on Galungan Day. The name ‘Penyekeban’ is literally derived from word ‘sekeb’ means “keep”, referring to the activity of keeping the fruits to be used in the Galungan Day, while the word ‘Penapean’ comes from the word ‘tape’, i.e. a kind of sweet cake made of slightly fermented rice or tubers. During the day, women make tape, as the food characterizing the Galungan celebration. It is also believed that the ‘Sang Kala Tiga Wisesa’ or ‘Bhuta Galungan’ – the invisible disturber – is around us seducing humans to do bad deeds.
The more specific day to make cakes for the celebration is on the day after, called ‘Penyajaan’, which is derived from word ‘jaja’ means “cake”. Various cakes, which beautifully differ in shapes and colors, are made for offerings. All of the fruits and cakes, which are used in the offerings, can be eaten after the devotion.
The next day called as ‘Penampahan’, derived from word ‘tampah’ means “slaughter”, is the day when people slaughter bad behaviours, bad thoughts, bad deeds and bad words, they may own. This symbolizes by slaughtering animals for offerings, mostly pig. The sacrificed animals are believed to get higher status, since they used as the holy sacrifice, and they are blessed for not reincarnating as animals again in the next life. It is believed that the hardest seduction from the invisible disturber to do bad things arises on this day, therefore a Bhuta Yadnya (holy sacrifice for invisible nature) carried out for the harmonic balance between the visible and the invisible world. A ‘Penjor’ is also should be made during this day. Penjor – a bamboo pole beautifully decorated by enchanting shaped of young coconut leaves and various ornaments is erected in front of every house and building – symbolizing the great Mount Agung, and also the presence of God Almighty. Various leaves, plantations, crops, fruit and traditional cakes in diverse shape and color beautify the bamboo pole. Philosophically, it means that every element of the world is represented in the penjor, while it is also showing the gratitude upon God Almighty, in which all things available on earth come from God Almighty.
Then it comes the Galungan Day. This is a very happy day to celebrate the victory of ‘Dharma’ (order) defeats ‘Adharma’ (disorder). Balinese Hindus pray and devote offerings in various temples. People live in city usually go to their hometown to visit their family and the elders.
Following the next day is the ‘Umanis Galungan’ Day, is the day to enjoy the blessing. The offerings taken out from the shrines, and the people may enjoy the offered fruits and cakes. This is also the day to visit family, relatives or friends, do apologizes for anything that may went wrong, while also forgiving others mistakes. In some areas in Bali, there is a tradition of ‘ngelawang’, i.e. the performing art around the village, usually featuring ‘barong ket’ or ‘barong landung’.
Next, is the day called ‘Pahing Galungan’. During this day, people pray in temples or family shrines, though there is no special ritual carried out within. And on the day after, is the ‘Pamaridan Guru’ Day, is when Gods and Goddess back to heaven, accompanied by the ‘Pitara’. This is a very good day for doing ‘Tirtha Yatra’ (visit to temples), devoting offerings and prayers. And on the day after, called as ‘Redite (Sunday) Wage Kuningan’ is the day to concentrating our minds to holiness, to God Almighty, and also to ‘Pitara’ – holy ancestors’ spirits, asking for blessing, put away from disasters or bad deeds.
Next is the Pemacekan Agung, occurs 5 days after the Galungan Day, and 5 days
before Kuningan Day. ‘Pemacekan’ comes
from word ‘pacek’ means “pin”. Philosophically, this day is considered as the
milestone of holiness. ‘Segehan Agung’ (Great Offering) is devoted in front of
gate.
On the day after, called ‘Anggara (Tuesday)Umanis Kuningan’, people do various
preparation for the upcoming Kuningan Day. And on the following day, i.e. ‘Budha
Pahing Kuningan’, is considered as the ‘Pujawali Bhatara Wisnu’ day, means the
day to worship the manifestation of God Almighty as God Wisnu, the Great Preserver
of the Universe. On the next day, ‘Wrespati (Thursday) Pon Kuningan’, followed
by the ‘Penampahan Kuningan’ day, are the days to do various preparations for
the religious celebration of the Kuningan
day.
Then it comes the Kuningan Day on ‘Saniscara (Saturday) Kliwon wuku Kunigan’, is the day when Gods and Goddesses, accompanied by the ‘Pitaras’ go down the earth again to bless the people and the universe. But on the mid-day, it is believed that they will go back to the heaven. The cycle of Galungan – Kuningan celebration run for 42 days. It ends on ‘Budha (Wednesday) Kliwon Pahang’, called as ‘Pegat Wakan’. Penjors erected in front of houses or buildings are put down, and then cremated. |
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