Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Canang Sari, daily of Balinese ritual


An offering is something tangible, presented to appease the Gods in times of prayer. Philosophically, an offering is a sort of self sacrifice. One spends a significant amount of time and money in making an offering, putting something of oneself into it.
The most common form of offering that is seen everywhere in Bali on a daily basis is known as canang. Canang Sari is simplest daily household offering. Canang Sari usualy offer in temple, family temple, cross road, house, sacred statue, shop or other place that balinese belief sacred. It placed in shrines and strategic locations of importance with a waft from a stick of incense and sprinkle of holy water. Shop keepers place this kind of flower offering in front of their stall upon opening up for trade and taxi drivers invariably have one on the dashboard of their vehicle.



Canang sari is one of daily balinese hindus people offerings made to thank the gods in praise and pray. you will see this offerings in the temples, on small shrines in houses, and on the ground or as a part of a large offering.
The phrase canang sari is derived from the words "sari", essence and "Canang", a small square of coconut-leaf basket decorated with a combination of colorful flowers. Canang Sari is completed by placing on top of the canang an amount of money "kepeng", which is said to make up the essence of the offering. Canang Sari is made from young yellow palm leafs, flowers and food stuff an art form assosiated with every ritual in Bali. Balinese believe in the forces of the invisible worlds dictates that offerings be created with a spirit of thankfulness and loving attention to detail.




In many rural villages around Bali canang offerings are still made by obtaining the raw components from within the family compound. However, today in urban areas canang can easily be bought from vendors at a traditional marketplace. This is a thriving home industry for many Balinese women who have recognized that some households are simply too busy to make their own daily offerings.
Another simple Balinese offering called saiban is performed every morning once the family food has been prepared. Small portions of leaf are placed on a tray and topped with a sprinkle of salt, a few grains of rice and some shredded coconut (or a tiny piece of the food that has just been cooked). This is then placed in the family shrine and presented to God in appreciation for the food that is about to be consumed.



Balinese always offering Canang Sari every day, except there are some one death around village. Canang sari offered to say thankfullness to the God (Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa), for what we get in our life.
Even as the island succumbs to a modern way of life, the art of making the most common form of offerings is still something that almost any young Balinese girl is able to do. This is an inherited practice, along with the duty to take care of the family shrine, which has been passed down through the generations.


No comments:

Post a Comment