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Holy Days Related to Galungan
The
following are some holy days to be celebrated
before, on and after Galungan Day on Wednesday,
5 October 2005.
“Sugihan
Jawa and Bali”
There are two kinds of Sugihan Holy Days,
which are for both physical and spiritual
purification. Firstly, Sugihan Pangenten
(Sugihan Jawa), which will be celebrated
on Thursday (29th September 2005), is a
day of purification of Bhuwana Agung (universe)
and sacred sites (temple, ancestral Merajan
temple, and houses), by offering sesajen,
usually flowers, to honor deities and ancestors.
Secondly, Sugihan Bali is celebrated on
Friday, 30th September 2005, by holding
a ritual and asking for tirtha panglukatan
(a means of cleansing) given by a pemangku
(priest).
“Penyekeban”
On this day, Sunday 2nd October 2005, all
implements needed to celebrate Galungan
Holy Day are prepared, by performing a process
of mature fruits and starting to cook a
variety of food and delicacies dedicated
to the Galungan Holy Day.
“Penyajahan”
This event falls on Monday, 3rd October
2005, inviting Hindus to master and subvert
physical cravings towards promoting vigilance,
patience, holiness, and closeness to Ida
Sanghyang Widhi (God Almighty).
“Penampahan”
Penampahan Galungan, which falls on Tuesday
4th October 2005, is a busy occasion to
survive against Sang Kala Tiga Amangkurat,
the dark power trying to provoke the human
spirit. On this day, people are to slaughter
pigs, nampah celeng, for sacrifice. The
meat is then used to make sesaji foods such
as lawar chopped meat and satay. In the
evening, maprayascita and Bhuta Yadnya rites
are carried out by placing the sesaji in
courtyards and houses and beside weapons
or daily-work tools. A penjor is then placed
in front of houses.
“Galungan”
Galungan is the peak event, falling on Wednesday
5th October 2005. It reflects the victory
of Dharma (Truth) in flight against Adharma
(Evil). The prepared sesaji is dedicated
to Ida Sanghyang Widhi, followed by common
prayer in the ancestral temple, Merajan
or Pura. The Philosophical value of Galungan
is to uphold Dharma with day-long prayers
and pesantian, reading or melodically citing
sacred songs, taken from the wiracarita
sacred verses, Mahabharata and Ramayana.
By interpreting the sacred verses, Hindus
people receive guidance towards keeping
Dharma (virtue) through the ups and downs
of economic and political crises.
“Manis
Galungan”
Manis Galungan days falls on Thursday 6th
October 2005, when people visit others,
usually family members, before 12.00 o’clock.
Some people, mainly young couples, spend
time at tourist attractions.
“Pemaridan
Guru”
Saturday 8th October 2005 is the day of
Pemaridan Guru, is a day of self-purification
both physically and spiritually, followed
by nyurud or asking for Yadnya in the form
of Guru’s rice cone as a gesture of
gaining bestowal from Bhatara Hyang Guru
deity.
“Ulihan”
Sunday 9th October 2005 is Ulihan day when
deities go back to their respective sites
in Heaven, while the following day of Monday10th
October is characterized as Pemacekan Agung,
aimed to let Sang Bhuta Galungan’s
spirit and entourage go back to their site
of origin.
“Kuningan”
Friday 14th October 2005 is the day of Penampahan
Kuningan, and occasion when Balinese again
prepare sesaji for Kuningan Holy Day on
15th October 2005, often called Tumpek Kuningan,
Dewa and Pitara gods again bless people,
animals, and the natural environment, with
waranugraha awards both physically and spiritually.
“Buda
Kliwon Pahang”
Wednesday 9th November 2005 is a day of
Buda Kliwon Wuku Pahang or Buda Kliwon Pegat
Uwakan, the end of the Galungan celebration
series. It is a day when Balinese are busy
with post Galungan and Kuningan waste material,
including uprooting of penjor poles, to
restore a clean and orderly environment.
Waste materials remaining from ritual implements
are burnt and their ashes put into young
yellowish coconut fruit and buried in the
sacred yard of houses or Merajan. (BTN/Sumadi/doc)
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