Canang sari is one of the daily offerings made by Balinese Hindus to thank the Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in praise and prayer. Canang sari will be seen in the Balinese temples, on small shrines in houses, and shops and on the ground or as a part of a larger offering. a small square or round palm leaf made “Canang Sari” is daily Balinese offerings. The phrase Canang Sari is derived from the Balinese words sari means essence and canang means a small palm-leaf basket as the tray. Canang Sari is the symbol of thankfulness to the Hindu god, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. It is offered every day as a form of thanks for the peace that has been given to the world.
Canang sari is normally filled with colourful flowers. The colors of the flowers are white, red, yellow, blue or green. Those colours are not randomly chosen; they have different meanings and are placed in specific directions.
White flowers that point to the east as a symbol of Iswara. Iswara is regarded as one of the primary forms of God. He is also known as Shiva or Mahadeva.
Red flowers that point to the south as a symbol of Brahma. Brahma is often referred to as the progenitor or great grandsire of all human beings. Brahmā is traditionally depicted with four heads, four faces, and four arms. Unlike most other Hindu gods, Brahmā holds no weapons. He holds a sceptre, a book, a string of prayer beads and the Vedas.
Yellow flowers that point to the west as a symbol of Mahadeva. Mahadeva means “Great god”. The main iconographical attributes of Mahadeva or Shiva are the third eye on his forehead, the snake Vasuki around his neck, the crescent moon adorning, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the Trishula as his weapon and the Damaru as his instrument.
Blue or green flowers that point to the north as a symbol of Vishnu. Visnu is conceived as “the Preserver” within the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the divinity. He is depicted as a blue being, holding a Padma (lotus flower) in the lower left hand, the Kaumodaki gada (mace) in the lower right hand, the Panchajanya shankha (conch) in the upper left hand and the discus weapon Sudarshana Chakra in the upper right hand.
Normally, Canang Sari stays for one night after it is prayed and offered before it is removed to be replaced with a new one. After all, Hinduism is very concerned with the relationship between humanity and the environment. Whatever comes from nature, it has to be back to nature.
Did you know?
Trimurti means “three forms”, is a concept in Hinduism “in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver and Shiva the destroyer or transformer.
Banten saiban or jotan is another daily offering that is offered every day after cooking or before eating. It is very simple consisting of a pinch of rice with other food like vegetables or fish or meat, on a small piece of banana leaf/other leaf. Due to its everyday usage it is grouped into “Nitya Yadnya”. Actually what is offered; rice and its companion food like vegetable and meat that are cooked; that means pinch of rice is just the sample, therefore Banten Saiban is also called “Yadnya Sesa”, which means offering is a priority. Banten Saiban is offered to God / Gods, it has a philosophy to thank God for his blessing.
Offerings to ancestors before ‘Memukur ( final ceremony of cremation) ceremony are also done. To ask for their protection and to appease Panca Maha Bhuta ( demons who live in the underworld) for not disturbing us but live with us in harmony & respect.
For a traditional Balinese woman, it is an obligation to know how to make Canang Sari and other offerings (called “mejejaitan”) because offering the Canang Sari is one of the important daily activities other than cooking, taking care of the children or cleaning the house. However, this term is not common in these modern days. Now, people can buy Canang Sari from traditional markets.
If you see canang sari on the ground when you are walking around the street, do not step over or step on it because it is considered disrespectful to Balinese culture and the religion. Especially the ones with incense that is still burning.
Credit: Angel House Ubud
At Angel House Ubud our guests can learn how to make their own Canang Sari and make offerings to our house temples or, accompany us to our local Temple; Pura Taman Pure Mas. Just enquire at the time of booking.
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