Mahasaraswati University is on the spirit right now! This is a very special day for it because today on December, 8th 2010 it is celebrating the 64th Anniversary. And on this special day, Balinese people also has a great day to be celebrated, Galungan day. It will continue then by the closing ceremony of Kuningan day. So it is fully two weeks holiday for all the community of Mahasaraswati University.
The date for Galungan and other special Balinese days is shown on the Balinese Calendar. Galungan is also celebrated in the rest of Indonesia such as in the Balinese communities spread over Sumatra . Philosophically, Galungan is a Balinese sacred day that occurs every 210 days (approximately six month) and lasts for 10 days. Galungan is the day when “dharma” or goodness wins of “adharma” or wickedness. During this holiday the Balinese deities visit the Earth and leave on Kuningan day.
Occurring once in every 210 days in the pawukon (Balinese cycle of days), Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremony that is celebrated by all Balinese. During the Galungan period the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes. They must be suitably entertained and welcomed, and prayers and offerings must be made for them. Those families who have ancestors that have not yet been cremated, but are still buried in the village cemetery, must make offerings at the graves.
Although Galungan falls on a Wednesday, most Balinese will begin their Galungan 'holiday' the day before, well known as Penampahan day, where the family is seen to be busily preparing offerings and cooking for the next day. While the women of the household have been busy for days before creating beautifully woven 'banten' (offerings made from young coconut fronds), the men of our village usually wake up well before dawn to join with their neighbours to slaughter an unlucky pig chosen to complete the Penampahan day. Delicate combinations of various vegetables, herbs and spices are also prepared by the men to make up a selection of 'lawar' dishes. While much of this cooking is for use in the offerings to be made at the family temple, by mid-morning, once all the cooking is done, it is time for the first of a series of satisfying feasts from what has been prepared. While the women continue to be kept busy with the preparations of the many offerings to be made at the family temple on the day of Galungan, the men also have another job to do this day, once the cooking is finished. A long bamboo pole, or 'penjor', is made to decorate the entrance to the family compound. By late Tuesday afternoon all over Bali the visitor can see these decorative poles creating a very festive atmosphere in the street.
On Wednesday, the day of Galungan, one will find that most Balinese will try to return to their own ancestral home at some stage during the day, even if they work in another part of the island. This is a very special day for families, where offerings are made to God and to the family ancestors who have come back to rest at this time in their family temple. As well as the family temple, visits are made to the village temple with offerings as well, and to the homes of other families who may have helped the family in some way over the past six months.
The day after Galungan is a time for a holiday called “Manis Galungan” by visiting friends, or maybe taking the opportunity to head for the mountains for a picnic. While waiting for the next celebration on Kuningan day, this day must be the most hilarious day ever. Last words to say, happy Galungan and Kuningan day and of course Happy Birthday for Mahasaraswati University Denpasar!. (source: Wikipedia and edited by Englishsaraswati)
