CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JULY 2011

(5th) 6th (7th) July – Hari Raya Galungan
Galungan is a Balinese holiday that occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10 days. Kuningan is the last day of the holiday (see below). Galungan means ‘When the Dharma is winning’ – Dharma being good over evil. During this holiday the Balinese Gods visit the earth and leave on Kuningan. During the Galungan period the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes to be entertained by those on earth.
Although Galungan falls on a Wednesday, most Balinese will begin their Galungan ‘holiday’ the day before – on the 5th. ‘Penjors’ can be seen lining the streets to welcome good fortune to those who pass below to enter family homes. On Wednesday the 6th, the day of Galungan, most Balinese will try to return to their own ancestral home at some stage during the day, even if they work on another part of the island. As well as the family temples, visits, with offerings, are also made to the main village temple, 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, the 7th, is a time for relaxation; visiting friends and maybe taking the opportunity to head to the mountains or beaches for a picnic.

15th July – Full Moon - Purnama Sasih Kasa
The full moon (which has particular importance to the Balinese Hindus) falls on this day and ceremonies are held throughout the Hindu temples all across Bali. The Balinese that adhere to the Hindu Dharma religion will take offerings of food, fruit and flowers to the temple to be blesses by the priest. It is the essence of theses offerings that will be enjoyed by the deities. The Balinese themselves are then blessed by performing various rituals using holy water, incense smoke, petals and rice grains.

16th July – Hari Raya Kuningan
This day is always celebrated 10 days after Galungan and on a Saturday marking the end of the festivities, sending deified ancestors back to the heavens. There will be many colourful temple ceremonies, with the Balinese suitably attired coming to and fro, according plenty of photo opportunities. Please be patient when on the roads.

30th July – Dark Moon - Tilem Sasih Kasa
The Balinese adhering to the Hindu Dharma religion will celebrate ‘Tilem’ in temple ceremonies, which are mostly held in every major temple and family shrines around the island of Bali. On this day Hindus make offerings to the Gods, placed on the ground at the entrance of each housing compound. The aim is to beg God’s grace; so that one’s dark thoughts will be illuminated by Him.

31st July – Ramadhan – Hari Raya Islam
Ramadhan or fasting month is a very special month to Moslems throughout the world. During the month all Moslems will try to be holy (body & soul) by avoiding wrongdoing to God or to others. Most will spend their leisure time by reading the Al-Qur’an, praying and doing charity work. Fasting starts before sunrise at about 5am and finishes at sunset at about 7pm. Before fasting, at least one hour before sunrise, Muslims wake up to have “makan sahur” eating at 4am. This is in preparation for a long day of fasting. A minute before ‘azan’ or prayers, all activities such as eating and drinking must be discontinued. Normally, most Moslems pray at home but during this special month most of them will pray at the mosque.

Source: Baliplus.com