Galungan and Kuningan

18 March 2009

This is the start of a 10 day Hindu festival and a lot of people go back to their villages so many shops and cafes are closed so the choice of food will get increasingly limited. Marking the beginning of the festival, Galungan and Kuningan is the period when the spirits of deceased ancestors descend to earth to once again be among their families. In order to welcome and appease both ken and kin, ancestral temples are cleaned, special offerings are made, and dances are presented to humour the hearts and bring contentment to those members of the family, now deceased, back for a brief reunion with family and friends. Lots of bamboo poles are erected outside homes with temporary temples attached and other decorative effects. In the local supermarket all the staff were wearing traditions clothes.