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Galungan CeremonyBalinese life cannot be separated from festivals and events which sets apart from other islands in Indonesia. Balinese Hindus are devoted to their beliefs, deities and traditions which, to the benefit of visitors to the island, demonstrate themselves in the form of colorful festivals and cultural events which are staged all year long.

One of those cultural events is Galungan, a Balinese holiday occurs once in the 210-day cycle of the Balinese calendar, and marks the time of the year when the spirits of the ancestors are believed to visit the earth. Balinese Hindus perform rituals that are meant to welcome and at the same time to entertain these returning spirits. Kuningan is the last day of the holiday. Galungan itself means "When the Dharma is winning." During this holiday the Balinese gods visit the Earth and leave on Kuningan day. This year, Galungan is observed from July 6 to 16, 2011.

'Offering' for the Galungan ceremonyThe whole island prepares tall bamboo poles called "penjor" - these are usually decorated with fruit, coconut leaves, and flowers, and set up on the right of every residence entrance. At each gate, you'll also find small bamboo altars set up especially for the holiday, each one bearing woven palm-leaf offerings for the spirits.

Households every where in Bali come alive with adherence offered by the families living within. Families offer plentiful sacrifices of food and flowers to the ancestral spirits, expressing gratitude and hopes for protection. These sacrifices are also offered at local temples, which are packed with devotees bringing their offerings.The whole island prepares tall bamboo poles called "penjor" - these are usually decorated with fruit, coconut leaves, and flowers, and set up on the right of every residence entrance. At each gate, you'll also find small bamboo altars set up especially for the holiday, each one bearing woven palm-leaf offerings for the spirits.

The ritualOn Galungan day itself, Balinese devotees pray at the temples and make their offerings to the spirits. Women are seen carrying the offerings on their heads, while men bring palm fronds. The day after Galungan, Balinese visit their kinfolk and closest friends.

The tenth day after Galungan - "Kuningan" - marks the end of Galungan, and is believed to be the day when the spirits ascend back to heaven. On this day, Balinese make special offerings of yellow rice.

The 'penjor', decorated bamboo poles for the ceremonyWhile the actual festivities are open to Balinese only, visitors to Bali especially today, they get an eyeful of the local color. It is such rare opportunity you see richly-dressed women crossing the street to make food offerings to the local temple - and there's something festive about the penjor swaying in the wind everywhere you look!