For the Balinese (Hindus), Galungan is paweton jagat (ritual festivity on the creation of the universe along with its contents). When was this macrocosm precisely created and how old is it now? No one knows it exactly! However, the Balinese celebrate Galungan just like they do on their birthdays in compliance with the Balinese calendar, and not by their date of birth.
In addition, the celebration of Galungan conveys the meaning as the triumph of dharma (righteousness) against adharma (unrighteousness). Dharma and adharma are consistent with the day-to-day lives that involve proper and improper things.On Galungan day, the Hindu community offer oblations, either individually or together. The sacrifice is begun at Merajan (family temple in every house compound), then Merajan Gede (larger family temple) up to public temples. “By nature, such oblations consist of patram (leaf), puspam (flower), palam (fruit), toyam (water) and fire. While, the pork that is slaughtered on the day before Galungan, some is intended for oblation and the rest for consumption,” ,the Galungan celebration is considered to have come to an end.On the following day, Umanis Galungan is a mutual visit among families, neighbours and wider general public to maintain social relationships. This day is called nganyarin as a new day. Import of PenjorOne day before Galungan, a penjor is erected in front of the house entrance gate. "Penjor" (Pole) on the "Galungan" Festivity
The Galungan festivity is invariably marked with the installation of a pole -‘penjor’- in front of the entrance gate of the house compound. Installation of this pole (‘penjor’) is meant to represent the reverence to the Almighty God along with His Ishta-Devata (Deities becoming the object of one’s special pious attention) abode at Besakih Temple. As a matter of fact, all Hindus in Bali will present offerings on this Galungan to Besakih Temple. However, due to carefulness and efficiency considerations, the maharishi in the past created the culture of ‘penjor’ –pole, that made it into a medium (uparengga) of the Hindu’s devotion to God along with His manifestation at Besakih Temple.
The word penjor (pole) is derived from a Balinese word peenyor meaning pengajum or pengastawa or devotion. Accordingly, the meaning of penjor is a medium of devotion to the Lord Shiva along with His manifestation at Besakih Temple. On that account, making ‘penjor’- pole on the Galungan day requires particular requirements as it does not reveal merely an ornament. Elements of penjor are composed of: white fabric (symbol of Ishvara’s power); bamboo (of Mahesora); cakes (of Brahma); coconut (of Rudra); young coconut leaf (of Mahadeva); assorted leaves (of Sankara); tubers or fruits (of Vishnu); sugar cane (of Sambu); Ardha Candra shrine (of Shiva) and oblation (of Sadhashiva and Paramashiva). Penjor - pole for the sake of ritual interest can be distinguished from its shrine employed, namely taking the form of ardha candra (literally half moon) representing the sovereignty of Lord Shiva. However, confusion on installing the shrine of this penjor still occurs many times. Some install it facing the road, while the rest do it the other way around, mostly based on the interpretation of the one who installs it. However, according to some references, they suggest to install it facing the road.
