Balinese Offerings

Practically everywhere you look in Bali you will see offerings made to the Divine: flowers, rice, leaves, food, candy, and even a little money. The tiniest offering is a delicate little cone made from banana leaves and flowers (it looks just like a sushi hand-roll), while the largest and most elaborate will be as tall as a man.

But whatever the size, or the ingredients, it needs to be offered sincerely, as a heartfelt expression of thanks to the Divine. The essence – or Sari – of the offering is carried to the Gods by way of smoke, most commonly from incense, but possibly from burning coconut husks or sandalwood chips.

When you pray in a Balinese temple, along with your prayer you offer flowers – one of which you tuck behind your ear. You can always tell who’s just been to the temple, because of the little bits of flowers behind their ears. And when you get a glimpse of yourself in the mirror with a flower in your ear and rice grains on your forehead it’s a terrific reminder to stay connected to spirit all throughout the day.

Our favorite part of these offerings is that, once the Gods have tasted the Sari, the gift is complete, so the people can have the physical “left overs” – in a big offering basket this will probably include delicious little bananas, fruit, candy, cake, cookies and hard-boiled eggs. It’s like a divine picnic that you can share right on the temple grounds.