For many people in Bali, Galungan is one of the most anticipated times of the year. Tall penjor, which are graceful bamboo poles decorated with coconut leaves, rice, and offerings, line the streets. Families gather, and the air is filled with the soft scent of devotion. It's a celebration, visibly so. There’s laughter, traditional food, temple visits, and a vibrant energy that feels both festive and sacred.
But underneath the surface, Galungan is more than just a holiday. It’s a spiritual homecoming.
In Balinese Hinduism, Galungan marks the triumph of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). It’s a time when ancestral spirits are believed to return to Earth, visiting the homes of their descendants. Families prepare their homes and offerings not just to honor their lineage, but to create space for connection with the past, with the divine, and with something deeper within themselves.
It’s this quiet undercurrent of realignment that gives Galungan its deeper meaning.
In the middle of celebration, Galungan asks:
What does it mean to live in balance?
Where am I being pulled away from my values, and how can I return?
That’s why Galungan doesn’t just involve joy. It involves preparation, intention, and stillness too.
In the days before, families clean their homes and hearts. In the days after, people continue visiting relatives, reflecting, and keeping the spirit of harmony alive. It's a cycle of motion and meaning. Outward celebration balanced by inward awareness.
So yes, Galungan is joyful. It’s a reason to gather, to laugh, to celebrate life. But it’s also a reminder of what truly matters. Connection, clarity, and the quiet work of coming back to yourself.
This year, Galungan falls on April 23 and November 19.
However you choose to honor it, may it bring you closer to what feels true and grounded in your own life.
Take a moment to pause.
Clear space. Physically, mentally, spiritually.
Celebrate, but also come home to what grounds you.
