In Hindu Bali, religion is tightly intertwined with every day life. Temples and religious celebrations are plentiful. Locals adorn their places of work, home entrances and street intersections with offerings or canang sari. These banana leaf vessels are made on a daily basis and hold a large variety of items – everything from vibrant flower petals, to saffron-colored rice, to crackers, cigarettes and coffee! They are set out with burning incense sticks and sprinkled with holy water several times per day. We heard that the Balinese spend between 25-50% of their precious income on such offerings!
Thanks Tricia, when I was in Bali I lived watching the shop or restaurant owners make their offerings and prayers in the morning, such a spiritual way to start the day, no wonder they are peaceful people. Enjoy Bali, I’m sure you will absolutely love it, as I do.
Sarah, agreed! Shawn and I purchased a flower offering this afternoon from a street-side vendor. We couldn’t understand each other and when I asked her how much an offering basket would cost, she in turn gave each of us a Frangipani flower, expecting nothing in return. Much of the world could learn from the Balinese! Such a beautiful people inside and out!