by | December 24th, 2005
Offerings are a part of daily life in Bali and walking down Jl. Legian this morning I was lucky enough to see people placing canang, the banana leah trays filled with flowers outside their shops. The purpose of this is to ward off evil spirits. Junctions and corners often have a pile of canang on the floor to keep evil spirits away, since they cause accidents. Canang placed on shrines are offerings to the Gods.
I spotted this Balinese man lighting insense and wafting the smoke heavenward. The canang retains its holy quality as long as the insense is lit. When it extinguishes the offering has been made and no longer is special.
When walking I always try to avoid kicking of stepping on canang. If you do its not the end of the world.
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