Canang Sari

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 is a small daily offering made from coconut leaf with some brilliant flowers on it and small amount of money placed on top . Almost in all over of Bali Island we can find Canang Sari . Canang Sari are offered by devout Balinese people to the creator as gratitude show .  the shape of canang sari can be round or rectangular.




The component of Canang sari are :

• a coconut leaf as a tray
• then plawa leaf with porosan
• on top placed many kind of flower and kembang rampe
• the last part on top is a small amount of   money ( paper money or coins )

Though simple, each part of Canang bear spiritual significance. The intricately shaped palm leaves symbolize sincerity, areca nut resemble Lord Brahma, Gambier for Lord Vishnu and Lime stone for Lord Shiva. Each color of the flowers also symbolize each gods. White for Isvara, Red for Brahma, Yellow for Mahadeva, Blue for Vishnu and the green kembang rampe symbolized Sang Hyang Panca Dewata.

You can find canang everywhere in Bali. In temples shrine, on the streets, on the gate, on cars and motorbike and even on working table. Balinese believes that canang sari have a special purifying power that can evoke spiritual vibration. Canang also an essential part of Balinese daily life. Every afternoon, all Balinese will do their routine daily prayer. Canang is one of the main prayer ensemble apart from dupa (incense), bunga (flower), tirta (holy water) and bija (holy rice).

Canang has also become a livelihood for some Balinese. In the old days, every housewives or girls make canang for their own family. But now, many people opted to buy canang since it is more practical and saves lots of time. But many people still live the tradition by making their own canang.

No matter what, canang will always be the main prayers tool used by Balinese. Its beautiful appearance and sweet scented fragrance will always become and icon for Bali.