Two Victory Days

August 2008 is a special month for Bali. On 17 August, the Indonesians, including Balinese community, celebrate their Independence Day. Indonesia proclaimed its independence as a sovereign state on 17 August 1945. This nation became independent and free from the shackles of 350 years of Dutch rule over Indonesia as its colony. Then, 20 August is Galungan Festivity representing the triumph of Dharma (virtue) against Adharma (evil).
As in other countries around the globe Independence Day on 17 August is celebrated by flag-flying ceremony while Galungan festivity is marked with en masse worship on the victory of good qualities against the bad ones within each individual Hindu devotee. They perform self-introspection toward their behavior and character every 6 months or 210 days where Galungan falls on Buda (Wednesday) Kliwon Dungulan based on Balinese calendar. In general, they worship collectively at family and village temples.
Characteristic of Galungan Festivity is the installation of penjor (bamboo pole embellished with symbolic paraphernalia) at each house compound of Hindu community in Bali. The penjor are installed on Tuesday (19 August) and remain in place until Wednesday (24 September) celebrated as Buda Kliwon Uwakan.