Every six months, the Balinese celebrate Galungan and Kuningan. Both of these celebrations cannot be separated. 10 days after celebrating Galungan,The Balinese will celebrate Kuningan. This celebration is for celebrating the victory of dharma over adharma, the good win against the dark forces of evil.

For about 2 weeks, the Balinese will be busy preparing ceremony and celebrating, making canang, and offerings, preparing penjor, cooking, praying at temples, and so forth. Start from one day before Galungan (which is called Penampahan Galungan or the day for preparing Galungan) every road in Bali will be decorated with penjor. There will be atmosphere of celebration and the joy of welcoming the feast

Today is Manis Galungan, the day after Galungan where the Balinese will visit their families and friends On this day, I want to tell you a bit about what I am trying to show you in Galungan and Kuningan greeting that I uploaded earlier on this blog. In the design, I make a visual ofa scene from Ramayana story where Rama defeated Ravana. Rama and Ravana is the symbol of dharma and adharma. I only use 2 tone of colors, black and white. Black and white are the symbols of dharma and adharma and are usually applied on Poleng fabric patterns, the iconic Balinese black and white plaid fabric. I am trying to deliver a simple message about the meaning of the celebration of Galungan and Kuningan which is so simple but has a broader and deeper meaning in every application in everyday life.

I hope for you who are celebrating Galungan and Kuningan get peace and blessings from Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, and I wish that the celebration will be a good start for the peace and prosperity of the world.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om

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Canang is the smallest part of banten (offerings). Canang is used as offerings, to sanctify places that considered sacred, and as a medium to worship God for Balinese. The first time I recognized canang was when I visited Bali for the second time, at the age of 16. At that time I noticed how a girl was praying in the morning and offering canang. I was so interested in what's offered and how to offer it.

Now canang has become a part of my daily life. I always pray in the morning and evening using canang, incense sticks, and Tirta (holy water). Balinese Hindu has become part of me, and I have become a part of Balinese Hindu.

Canang I use for praying everyday

I had some conversations with people, talking about canang. I also surfed through the internet to find out the meaning. With so much information I got, including by learning to make my own canang by using busung (coconut leaves), I figured out something interesting.

Here, I do not want to talk about religious things because it's not my capacity. There’s other thing I want to share and it is so beautiful.

Canang is a form of offerings in the land of Bali, which is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God) using natural materials. The materials are busung, flowers in 4 colors (Black or purple for North, red for South, yellow for West, and white or pink for East), sliced Bunga Rampe, Biu (banana), porosan (betel leaf containing pinang and kapur), rice, sugar cane slices, and so forth. Everything comes from nature and always in good condition and fresh. Now imagine if the land of Bali is not fertile, and the nature is damaged. Where can people get materials for canang?

I think there is a cycle that is unique and beautiful here. Human care for nature, its natural outcome is dedicated to God, and then God will give blessings to people and nature. This cycle continues to spin and should be kept uninterrupted.

From this, I learned something big from a small thing.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om

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This year would be my first time being in Bali on Nyepi day. I wonder how it will be. Since 1 month before Nyepi, I saw people around the city start making Ogoh-ogoh. Ogoh-ogoh is a huge statue represents Bhuta Kala, and has form of mythological being, mostly demons. At every banjar (village) I see adults busy making Ogoh-ogoh with children, and 1 week before Nyepi, most of them have been finished.

I am curious to know how Balinese celebrate Nyepi. But I also feel a little bit scared because there will be silence throughout Bali. No sounds, no activities, no lights.

Anyway, talking about the philosophy of how Nyepi being celebrated every year, there is something interesting. Nyepi is new year celebration in Bali. Different from how people celebrate new year every December 31st to January 1st with fireworks and parties everywhere, Balinese celebrate their new year being in silence, doing nothing, like resetting everything to welcome brand new year. 

There are 4 restrictions on Nyepi day; Amati Geni (no light or fire), Amati Karya (no working), Amati Lelunganan (no travelling), and Amati Lelanguan (Fasting and no revely).  These restrictions usually called Catur Brata. By doing Catur Brata,  Balinese believe (and I am also starting to believe) that it is good to start everything from nothing. So...

Rahajeng Nyanggra Rahina Nyepi, may the New Year be sacred.

Om Santhi, Santhi, Santhi, Om

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