Discovering Galungan in Bali: A Celebration of Goodness and Harmony
- Fletch
- Sep 24, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 5
We felt so lucky to see our very first Galungan celebration in Bali in 2024, when we'd not long since stepped into our full time travel adventure and we had been enjoying watching the preparations happen all around our village as the run up to the celebration see's Bali looking even more beautiful than ever.
Come with us as we learn all about this special sacred festival that happens each year in Bali… This post explains what Galungan is and what to expect around that time on the island and how you can get involved in the celebrations where good triumphs evil and energy and balance is restored on the island.
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And now that you know us, we're friends, let's jump right in to todays Galungan blog.
We didn't know what Galugan was when we first arrived. We noticed the streets filling up with even more decorations and ornaments than usual. Where the offerings were extra colourful and fuller than usual, and the streets are lined with bamboo decorations... literally everywhere. It's was beautiful walking around the village to see the Penjor being made and then put up along the streets and outside of homes.
As if Bali needed another excuse to make itself prettier than she already is.
It became one of our world school topics and just wandering around the streets to take photos became a daily ritual for us as a family.
Btw, this was in 2024 and this year - Galungan 2026 runs 17–27 June — and is a really beautiful time to witness Bali’s deep spiritual culture.
The night before Galungan, the men and boys post the penjor in the ground by the entrance of the family home. More about the penjor a little below.
The decorations may look pretty but the whole celebration is a time for spiritual unity and reflection, where the aim is to achieve peaceful thoughts and convictions. Overall the festival celebrates the victory of dharma (truth) over adharma (evil). These notions are definitely one of the pulls of Bali for us as we navigate our own truth and spiritual awakening. One of working with frequency and energy and raising consciousness.
And so, it's been beautiful to watch as Bali prepares for Galungan. Watch my quick impromptu walk around the village here to see the preparations of Galungan.
What is Galungan?
Galungan is one of the most significant and vibrant celebrations in Bali, Indonesia, marked by a unique blend of cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and community togetherness.
Galungan is a time when the spirits of ancestors are believed to return to Earth, allowing families to honour and celebrate their heritage. The festival is rich with cultural practices that emphasise community, spirituality, and the importance of family ties. And each family home will hang a penjor outside their house.
This sacred holiday, which occurs every 210 days in accordance with the Balinese calendar, celebrates the victory of dharma (goodness) over adharma (evil) and is deeply rooted in the island's Hindu traditions. If you're planning to experience Galungan or simply want to learn more about this enchanting celebration, this guide will walk you through its significance, traditions, and calendar of events. The celebration involves offerings to Sang Hyang Widhi (the Supreme God) and Dewa Bhatara (the gods and goddesses in their various manifestations) as expressions of gratitude.
The Significance of Galungan
Galungan symbolises the time when the spirits of deceased ancestors visit the living. It is a period for Balinese Hindus to honour their ancestors, reflect on their spiritual lives, and seek blessings for their families and communities. The celebration spans ten days, culminating in the festival of Kuningan, which marks the end of the celebration.
Key Themes of Galungan
Dharma vs. Adharma: Galungan is a reminder of the constant struggle between good and evil in the world.
Family and Community: It emphasises the importance of family bonds and community unity through shared rituals and celebrations.
Cultural Heritage: The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of Bali, reflected in art, music, dance, and culinary traditions.
Galungan is a time for:
Spiritual Reflection: A chance to reconnect with spiritual roots and reflect on life’s moral values.
Family Unity: Emphasises the importance of family gatherings and communal activities.
Cultural Heritage: Showcases Bali's rich traditions through rituals, music, and dance.
We've updated this post with updated 2026 dates
Discovering Galungan - Calendar of Events
While the exact dates for Galungan change each year due to the Balinese lunar calendar, the festivities generally come every 6 months. For 2026, the Galungan festival in Bali is between 17th June 2026 - 27th June 2026. falls on:
Here is the Galungan calendar for this year 2026:
Galungan Calendar for September 2026
Key Dates
Hari Raya Galungan falls on 2 key dates in 2026:
🌸 Galungan Day: 17 June 2026
🌼 Kuningan (10 days later): 27 June 2026
These dates mark the start and end of the 10-day celebration according to the Balinese Pawukon calendar. We're here for both Celebrations.
One of the distinctive features of the Galungan celebration is the installation of penjor, tall bamboo poles decorated with offerings, lining the streets and creating a natural ambiance.
That we've been seeing in the run up to each Galungan, being made, assembled and put up by locals. It truly is a beautiful place to be around this time.
We've been doing some learning with the kids as part of their Bali and Hindu worldschooling projects and have been learning about all things Galungan:
Preparation Days
Leading up to Galungan, families prepare by creating beautiful penjor (decorative bamboo poles) and traditional offerings (banten). The atmosphere in markets and villages becomes lively as everyone gets ready for the celebration.
Post-Galungan Events
Family Reunions:
The days following Galungan are typically spent visiting extended family, sharing meals, and exchanging stories about ancestral heritage.
Temple Offerings:
Throughout the week following Kuningan, families continue to make offerings at local temples, further honouring their ancestors.
Celebratory Traditions
1. Penjor Decoration
The streets and homes of Bali are adorned with penjor— it looks so pretty. Decorative bamboo poles that are elegantly curved and decorated with offerings. These are placed outside homes and temples as a symbol of respect for the gods and ancestors.
2. Traditional Offerings (Banten)
Families prepare a variety of offerings called banten, which include fruits, cakes, and incense. These offerings are made to express gratitude and seek blessings for prosperity and harmony.
3. Family Gatherings and Feasts
Galungan is a time for family reunions, where relatives come together to enjoy traditional Balinese dishes, such as Babi Guling (suckling pig), Lawar (mixed meat salad), and various sweet treats.
4. Cultural Performances
Throughout the festival, traditional Balinese dance performances and gamelan music echo in the temples and public spaces, creating a vibrant atmosphere of joy and reverence.
Conclusion
Experiencing Galungan in Bali has so far been a really special time and we can't wait to celebrate in 2026 which falls at the same time that Mr Boo turns 10 (double figures!). We'll be heading out for a walk to look at the penjor and visit a temple to see the locals in their beautiful clothing. We'll be doing lot's of mindful activities with the kids and mostly spend Galungan in peace, and quiet reflection in honor of our neighbours. We'll share pictures on the blog and our YouTube channel of course.
This is the island's rich cultural heritage, spiritual practices, and communal values and Galungan is a celebration that brings together the past, present, and future in a beautiful tapestry of life, love, and spirituality.
This is the heart and soul of Bali. And THIS is the reason why we came.
I hoped you enjoyed this blog?
Let me know in the comments below if you liked this post or if it helped you by giving it a thumbs up or a like. Have you experienced Galungan on the island before?
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