Galungan and Kuningan: The Symbol of Introspection

Galungan is a Balinese holiday which celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma (the triumph of good over evil). The last day of the celebration is Kuningan, ten days after Galungan. The date is calculated according to the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar. It is related to Pitri Paksha, celebrated by Hindus in other parts of the world, which also celebrates the visiting of ancestral spirits.

The word Kuningan has the meaning of "kauningan" which means achieving spiritual elevation by means of introspection. Quote from Bhagawan Dwija saying, the meaning of Kuningan is to make a promise both to oneself and to Sanghyang Pratama (the Divine) that in life we will always try to win good and defeat evil.

In my humble understanding, God is our ancestral spirit. When we are listening and following divine guidance we become His picture and live on earth as in paradise. The 210-day cycle in this celebration is a symbol and a reminder for us that there is a continuous holy war inside of us for always winning good and defeating evil. This battle begins with ourselves -- destroy the qualities inside us that are not right (i.e. envy, jealousy) and change every quality to be like the quality of God. We cannot do anything except with God.

May God's guidance and grace lead our journey in life.