To truly understand the soul of Bali, one must look to its beautiful Balinese offerings, or Banten – the vibrant and constant expressions of gratitude that grace every corner of the island. You see them everywhere: small, fragrant parcels of flowers placed carefully on sidewalks, intricate arrangements adorning shrines in shops and homes, and magnificent, towering structures of fruit carried gracefully to temples during ceremonies.
While many visitors are familiar with the small daily offering, the Canang Sari, this is just the beginning of a rich and deeply symbolic world. These offerings are far more than just decorations; they are a form of prayer, a beautiful art form, and a physical manifestation of a profound spiritual philosophy.
As your friendly hosts here at Merusaka Nusa Dua, we’d love to take you on a deeper journey into the art of the offering, exploring the beautiful philosophy that guides it and the different forms it can take.
The Philosophy of Yadnya: More Than Just a Gift
Before we look at the different types of offerings, it’s lovely to understand the profound philosophy that guides their creation. At the heart of every Banten is the Sanskrit concept of Yadnya.
Yadnya can be understood as a sincere, selfless sacrifice or an offering made with a pure heart, without any expectation of reward or recognition. In Bali, making and presenting offerings is a core part of practicing this philosophy. It is a way for the Balinese to express their profound gratitude and to actively maintain balance in the universe. It’s about constantly giving back – to the gods for the gift of life, to nature for its bounty, and to fellow humans and spirits to maintain harmony. This entire process is a beautiful, daily practice of the core Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana – creating balance between the spiritual, human, and natural worlds.
The Language of the Offering: Symbolism in Every Element
Every single element within a Banten is carefully chosen and holds a special meaning, creating a silent, beautiful prayer composed of nature’s gifts.
- The Base (ceper or tamas): The small square tray is often made from woven young coconut or palm leaf (janur). It represents the physical world itself (pertiwi, or earth).
- Rice (wija): A pinch of uncooked rice is often included to symbolize the seed of life and the divine gift of sustenance from God, the source of life.
- Flowers (bunga or sekar): The vibrant flowers are the most visible element. They represent love, sincerity, and the beauty of the world. Often, different colored flowers are arranged to point in specific directions, each color symbolizing a different Hindu God and their place in the cosmos (e.g., white for Iswara in the East, red for Brahma in the South).
- Incense (dupa): The fragrant smoke from the lit incense stick is essential. It is believed to carry the “sari” or the essence and prayer of the offering up to the heavens, connecting the physical world with the spiritual realm.
- Holy Water (tirta): A small sprinkling of holy water is used to purify the offering before it is presented, cleansing it and infusing it with divine grace. You can learn more about Bali’s sacred water here.
A Spectrum of Devotion: Types of Balinese Banten
While the small Canang Sari is the most visible Banten, it’s just the start. The world of offerings is incredibly rich and varied, with different types created for different purposes and levels of importance.
- Canang Sari – The Daily Gratitude: As we’ve explored before, this is the simple, beautiful “thank you” note to the heavens that you will see everywhere, presented every single morning.
- Banten Saiban or Jotan – The Household Sharing: This is a beautiful tradition that happens in every Balinese family compound after the daily cooking is done. Before the family eats, a small portion of every dish prepared – a pinch of rice, a piece of vegetable, a sliver of meat – is placed on a small piece of banana leaf and offered to the spirits (both benevolent and lower) within the household compound. It’s a gesture of sharing and respect, acknowledging that humans are not alone in their home.
- Gebogan or Pajegan – The Towering Spectacle: During major temple festivals like an Odalan, you will see some of the most spectacular offerings. Gebogan are magnificent, towering offerings of fruits, sweets, and flowers, all skillfully arranged on a central pillar. These are a symbol of gratitude to the gods for the earth’s abundance. Witnessing a procession of women in their finest attire, gracefully carrying these towering Gebogan on their heads to the temple, is an unforgettable sight.
- Banten Pejati – The Sincere Request or Vow: When a Balinese family undertakes a significant ceremony (like a wedding, a three-month baby ceremony, or a tooth-filing), or wishes to make a special request or fulfill a vow, a more complete and significant offering known as a Banten Pejati is required. It’s a more complex arrangement that acts as a formal and sincere communication with the divine.
The Art of Community: A Shared Creation
One of the most beautiful aspects of Banten is that their creation is often a deeply communal act, strengthening social and family bonds in a way that is central to Balinese life.
- A Skill Passed Down: Traditionally, crafting offerings is a skill passed down from mothers to daughters. It’s an art form that requires patience, skill, and a meditative focus.
- Communal Effort (Gotong Royong): For large temple ceremonies, the women of the local banjar (community council) will often gather for days at a community pavilion. Here, they will work together to prepare thousands of intricate offerings, all while sharing stories, laughing, and reinforcing the social ties that bind their community together. It is a beautiful expression of shared devotion.
Conclusion: A Visible Expression of an Invisible Faith
Balinese offerings are far more than just beautiful, ephemeral decorations. They are a complex and profound language of gratitude, a daily form of meditation, a stunning art form, and the very glue that helps hold the community together.
When you see a fresh Canang Sari on the pavement, we hope you’ll now see it not as something to be stepped over, but as an active expression of Bali’s living, breathing spiritual philosophy. It’s a small gesture that represents a massive, island-wide commitment to harmony and gratitude. Appreciating this is to appreciate the very soul of Bali. When exploring, please always remember to walk around, and never over, these beautiful offerings.
