Galungan signifies a spiritual renewal
Galungan signifies a spiritual renewal
DENPASAR, Bali (ANTARA): Millions of Balinese Hindus solemnly
celebrated Galungan yesterday.
Galungan, which fell on Wednesday, is one of the most
important religious events for the Balinese Hindu and it is
celebrated every six months (210 days) according to the Balinese
calendar. Galungan will be followed by Kuningan, which marks the
end of the Galungan period and lasts for 12 days. Galungan is a
time for prayers, family-gatherings and offerings.
Numerous women and children clad in their best clothes
thronged nearby temples and holy sites to pray and to present
their special offerings, Antara reported.
Streets in cities and villages were adorned with decorative
penjors, long bamboo poles hung with offerings. Penjors symbolize
prosperity for the entire community. Schools and offices were
closed and the lives of the Balinese were focused exclusively
upon this sacred event.
Balinese people believe that their ancestors visit their
familial descendants during the Galungan celebrations. Their
living family members must entertain and welcome them with
prayers, and prepare special offerings for them.
Nowadays, Galungan signifies a spiritual renewal, and an
opportunity to improve the quality of people's lives, to increase
working productivity and to protect the environment.
In his speech, Balinese governor Dewa Beratha told people that
Galungan should involve introspection
He said ritual activities must be balanced by improvements in
knowledge, greater tolerance, and the performance of good deeds.
"All efforts must be made to create harmonious relations
between God and humans, and between humans and nature," the
governor said.
He admonished the people to follow the right path in
practicing their faith and performing their obligations as
members of the society.
Meanwhile, I Ketut Wiana, chairperson of the Hindu Dharma
Society, asserted that Galungan is a way to purify ourselves.
"Galungan is a triumph of dharma (virtue) against adharma
(evil)," explained Wiana.
Wiana said that purity of hearts and minds will provide an
opportunity for Indonesian people to overcome the various crises
facing the nation.