The Galungan Holiday

Bali Island

Galungan is one of Bali's most important Hindu festivities. It's a day dedicated to ancestors. According to local belief, the spirits of the ancestors return to their kindred on earth. The holiday also marks the victory of good over evil. Believers attend temples, to which women bring offerings of flowers and fruit. 

Galungan is celebrated at the Pura Geriya Tanah Kilap temple complex. Offerings are placed on the temple's altars, and at the foot of sculptures of gods and temple guardians.

The conclusion of the festival. After general prayers lasting around ten minutes, the temple ministers bring out holy water and rice. Believers are sprinkled with the water, and given several grains of rice. I was told attendees have to eat three grains of rice, and stick several more to their foreheads