Do Balinese Hindus Celebrate Diwali?

In today's world, where cultures cross paths and festivals are celebrated across the globe, one might wonder if the vibrant Hindu culture of Bali has its own version of the iconic Diwali festival. Today, 24th July 2019, marked a unique celebration in Bali, often seen as a Balinese version of Diwali. Let's explore the festive vibes surrounding Balinese Hindu celebrations like Galungan and Kuningan, and understand their significance.

Celebrating Galungan and Kuningan: A Balinese Christmas?

While the term 'Diwali' is increasingly familiar, many Balinese Hindus have only recently come across this festival. According to Diwali - Wikipedia, one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Interestingly, Balinese Hindus celebrate festivals that share similar spiritual significance, such as Galungan and Kuningan. Although Galungan is not directly related to Diwali in terms of origin or historical context, it embodies similar spiritual and cultural values. Galungan, for example, is known as the Balinese New Year, celebrated every 210 days.

A 2-Week Celebration: The True Spirit of Galungan

Unlike Diwali, which is typically celebrated for one day, the Balinese celebration of Galungan is a much longer and more complex affair. It is not just a one-day event but encompasses several weeks of festivities leading up to Galungan day itself. Let's take a look at these stages:

1. Tumpek Bubuh or Tumpek Pengatag: Celebrating the Harvest

The celebration begins with Tumpek Bubuh or Tumpek Pengatag, a ceremony marking the harvest of fruits and other plant materials. This marks the start of the preparation phase, vital for the upcoming festivities.

2. Sugihan Jawa and Sugihan Bali: Purification and Preparation

On Sugihan Jawa and Sugihan Bali, Balinese devotees focus on purification and spiritual preparation. Traditions such as fasting and self-control are common during this period. It is a time to cleanse both oneself and the universe, setting the stage for the main celebration.

3. Penyekeban, Penyajaan, and Penampahan: Making Ritual Preparations

From Sundays to Tuesday, the Balinese engage in Penyekeban, Penyajaan, and Penampahan. These rituals involve making offerings and arrangements for the celebration of Galungan. Families prepare everything they need for the rituals, prasadam (offering), and decorate their homes and temples. For those who live abroad, this period often encourages a return to their hometown to partake in the festivities.

4. The Main Celebration: Galungan Day

Finally, Galungan day itself is a highlight of the entire celebration. Families and communities come together to pray and celebrate at various temples. Pura Dalem, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pura Desa, dedicated to Lord Brahma, and Pura Puseh, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, are among the temples typically visited. These temples symbolize the three aspects of the Hindu trinity, representing creation, preservation, and destruction, respectively.

Penjor: Symbolizing Spiritual and Material Abundance

During Galungan, penjors are placed in front of homes and village temples. Penjors are traditional Balinese objects symbolizing spiritual, material, and personal abundance. They consist of a bamboo pole or branch decorated with fruits, flowers, and other offerings, often upholding a small prayer banner. Placing penjors signifies welcoming good fortune and divine blessings into one's home.

Conclusion

While Balinese Hindus may not celebrate Diwali in the traditional sense, their own set of festivals, particularly Galungan and Kuningan, offer a rich and meaningful celebration. These events embody the same spirit of cultural revival, spiritual rejuvenation, and community unity that Diwali seeks to promote. As the global community continues to connect and celebrate together, the significance of these festivals transcends individual traditions and serves as a testament to the universal human desire for celebration, unity, and spiritual upliftment.