A penjor is basically a long tapered bamboo pole that is stood vertically in the ground, often on the roadside, and decorated in coconut leaves. Due to their length of sometimes more than ten metres, they droop charmingly over the pavement like an ancient street lamp.
At Galungan time, Balinese Hindus erect a penjor in front of their houses to symbolise the dominance of good (dharma) over evil (adharma), as well as offering thanks to God for the fruits of the Earth. About halfway down the pole they attach a small cage in the shape of a triangle and made from bamboo, called sanggah cucuk. Offerings are placed in this and it is considered to be a temporary “throne” for the Gods when they come down to Earth for Galungan. If you take a close look at a Galungan penjor, you’ll notice that it’s also ornamented with coconut leaves called sampian and also long strips of white and yellow material to symbolise that it is a holy offering.
Due to their innate beauty, these days penjors not only serve a religious function. They also feature at weddings, art performances, hotels, and at any occasion where there are guests of honour.
Penjors are not only found in Bali but also in other parts of Indonesia where they are employed in a secular manner, particularly for hotel functions.
Interestingly enough, even some of the streetlights in Bali are modelled on the tall, slender shape of these traditional poles. The best way to tell the function of a penjor is to check what decorations or offerings it has attached to it.
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