Flowers 🌺 And Daily Blessings 🙌 [BaliOhBali]

Beautiful, tropical flowers, "bunga bunga indah" ! 

Say "Thank You" at least 2 times per day, manifesting true faith in God "Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa".  

photographed in Bali, Indonesia 

www.onartbali.com

Hindus craft out such lovely offerings, made off natural materials like banana and palm leaves, colourful flowers, boiled rice, coins, sweet smelling incense, I miss so much in the West and other gifts to show their thankfulness in their daily rituals. It is an important part of spiritual living, a never-ending sense of devotion and purposeful intention. 

photographed in one of my many temple visits on my iPhone

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.- Source Travelblog

Always giving thanks!

Balinese Hinduism, (Indonesian: Hindu Dharma), is the form of Hinduism practiced by the majority of the population of Bali. This is particularly associated with the Balinese people residing on the island and represents a distinct form of Hindu worship incorporating local animism, ancestor worship or Pitru Paksha and reverence for Buddhist saints or Bodhisattava. Although the population of Indonesia is predominantly Muslim and Christian, 83% of the people on Bali identify as Hindu. Balinese Hindus live on the island of Bali and practice Hinduism. - Source Wikipedia 

Acintya image source 

   

There is order in Cosmos 

A rich culture indeed and as much as I realised over the years, those offerings which you will find everywhere, as soon as you arrive on the island, are as important than food. 

It would be shameful to spend money without affording to create the Canang Sari for various ceremonies in temples, streets and homes and also as a Good-bye to my poisoned kitties Lotus & Aloe. I was and still am heartbroken but it helped to beautify their grave as we did for all our pets who died. 

grave in the garden of my house

 

Balinese show their respect through all those presents, they lovingly prepare in their homes. Traditionally, women would personally hand-make those little woven baskets as well as all other offerings they use for so many ceremonies on a daily basis. 

 

I miss Nenek ( Grandma ) who recently died. RIP Ibu! She was one of those special women who made the most gorgeous creations and her life was devoted to her culture and wellbeing of her family. 

 

 

Modernised Bali sees more and more women at the local markets, buying the ready-to-go ones.

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 (pura), on small shrines in houses, and on the ground or as a part of a larger offering. 

White-colored flowers that point to the east as a symbol of Istara, Red-colored flowers that point to the south as a symbol of Brahma, Yellow-colored flowers that point to the west as a symbol of Mahadeva, Blue or green colored flowers that point to the north as a symbol of Vishnu- Source Wikipedia

Give back! Be thankful for what you have! Receive and keep good fortune!  Avoid all disasters! Allow abundance flowing into your and your loved ones lives. 

Who needs bad spirits around? Appease them with the smoke of incense. This might explain why I always bring them in all homes wherever I go and visit. I was amazed when some american airbnb guests complained and called the smoke "dirty" air. I was quite shocked.  

Om! 

“They alone live, who live for others”

The story of Bali’s canang sari commoditization And How those little offerings have changed amidst the island’s booming tourism industry

Nyoman, a local Balinese lady in her sixties told Coconuts Bali, “I have been making canang sari everyday for years, that’s the traditional way. About a few years ago, nobody bought canang sari. There was no place to buy them. But now there are many women selling pre-made ones.”

I could add so many more wonderful photos but hope you enjoyed my selection of memories 

Yours 

Mammasitta