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Galungan Ceremonial : Galungan Day |
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 Galungan Day is the climax of the Galungan celebrations. Throughout the day the local temples are crowded with people coming and going, bringing the offerings that have been prepared since Penyekeban. The offerings are presented with mass prayers to Sang Hyang Widi (God), to His manifestations (dewa/dewi, bhatara/bhatari) and to the spirits of one's ancestors (pitara/pitari). The ceremonies that are privately performed at the house compounds may vary from place to place and will depend among others on the resources and capabilities of the family concerned.With the presenting of the offerings one expresses gratitude for the divine provision of the products of the earth, and one prays for the well-being of body and soul, for prosperity, and for protection.
Depending on the type of offering (see below) these are presented, at the penjor, at places of worship such as the family temple and plankiran, at main temple shrines, at minor temple shrines, for working tools. There are two kinds of Galungan. First, Galungan Nadi - If Budha Kliwon Dungulan coincidences with Purnama (full moon) - similar to the first celebration which took place at Purnama, October 15, 882 AD - then the ngotonan (anniversary) of Galungan is celebrated, a special day that is blessed by Sang Hyang Ketu (Dewa Kecemerlangan). Galungan Nadi is celebrated in a much more solemn way than ordinary Galungan celebrations, and in general the offerings on this day will be more elaborate. Nadi is Balinese for 'become alive' (magically), Ketu is Balinese for 'headgear of a priest', and Kecemerlangan means 'glorious' . Galungan Nadi occurs about every 10 years.
Second, Galungan Nara Mangsa - If Budha Kliwon Dungulan coincidences with Tilem (dark moon) Sasih Kepitu (7th month of the Balinese Saka moon calendar) or Tilem Sasih Kesanga (the 9th month of the Saka calendar, which is the day before Nyepi) then Galungan falls on a very bad day. Such days are ruled by Kala Rau - days on which the bhuta kala are very active while the dewa/dewi (gods) remain passive. At Galungan Nara Mangsa it is therefore forbidden to preset sesajen offerings that contain tumpeng (Tumpeng Galugan); one is advised to offer a segehan instead, in particular caru offerings that contain nasi cacahan mixed with keladi (a type of vegetable). Galungan Day takes place at Buda Kliwon Dungulan, the Wednesday of the 11th week of the Pawukon calendar, Dungulan. |
