The most significant Hindu religious festival held in Bali is the Galungan Festival, which takes place every 210 days and lasts for a total of 10 days.
The festival is based on the legendary defeat of the tyrannical King Mayadenawa by Lord Indra and represents the triumph of good over evil.
The festival begins on Galungan Day and concludes on the tenth day, known as Kuningan Day, when the evil spirits return to the heavens.
The festival is celebrated by wearing traditional Balinese clothing, through family reunions, and with family visits to the temple.
During the festival, roads are lined with Penjor — tall bamboo poles adorned with coconut leaves, flowers and fruits. The Penjor are said to resemble the tail of the Barong, a symbol of goodness, as well as the sacred Mount Agung, and they represent prosperity.
The Barong is a mythical creature representing good in the fight against Rangda, the demon queen. The Barong is paraded through villages, going from house to house to ward off negativity and restore balance.
A special feature of the festival is the performance of the Gamelan, a musical ensemble dominated by percussion instruments such as metallophones, gongs and drums. These performances take place throughout the festival.
All photos are copyrighted and may not be published elsewhere without express permission.
