Galungan is Bali’s most important holiday and symbolises the victory of good over evil and is filled with cultural rites and ceremonies which remind followers to focus on living a life based on Dharma. The streets and entrances of every house are lined with a penjor, a tall curved bamboo pole that towers high above the streets and decorated with woven coconut leaves, flowers, fruit and cakes. Galungan is a day when locals dress up in their best clothes and visit holy temples.  Galungan activities begin well before the actual Galungan holiday which in 2009 falls on 18th March 2009 and 14th October 2009.

Purification ceremonies are held from 6 days before Galungan and decorations for penjors are prepared beforehand. Sacrifices of animals are made the day before Galungan. Many shops and businesses are closed for Galungan.

If you are in Bali during this period, look out for the Barong processions. During this time, a ceremony called Ngelawan is performed which involves travelling around the village wearing the costumes of Barong Rangda and Barong Kedengkling

The entire Galungan holiday lasts for 10 days and culminates in Kuningan which falls on 28th March 2009 and 24th october 2009.

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