Galungan Day in Bali: What visitors need to know about the Balinese Hindu celebration

Wednesday, June 17, 2026, marks Galungan Day in Bali, a significant Balinese Hindu celebration occurring every 210 days. This year, Galungan and Kuningan will be observed only once. The festival celebrates the triumph of dharma over adharma, or good over evil, and is believed to be when ancestral spirits visit Earth. The spirits descend on Galungan Day and return to cosmic realms on Kuningan Day, which is 10 days later, on June 27. Preparations for Galungan begin three days prior. Penkeyeban involves cooking bananas for offerings, Penyajaan includes making fried rice cakes jaja and blessings, and Penampahan, the day before Galungan, is for animal slaughter for offerings and community feasts. Penjor, tall decorated bamboo poles, are installed outside homes and along streets during Penampahan. Galungan Day is a time for family visits and temple ceremonies. Kuningan Day also features temple ceremonies for the spirits' return. Unlike Nyepi Day, life in Bali continues during Galungan and Kuningan, though schools are closed and some government services and banks may have shorter hours. Tourists might be invited to ceremonies, but temple access is prioritized for worshippers, and some areas may be closed to non-worshippers. Visitors are encouraged to respect these closures and the sacred nature of this time.