~CANANG SARI~
BALINESE OFFERINGS~
Canang sari is a daily Hindu offering in Bali, the small baskets are made from coconut leaves, & filled with rice, flowers, with food items placed in them.
Each day they are placed in homes, temples, road sides ,outside shops & businesses, to express their devotion & gratitude to the gods & to maintain a sense of balance & harmony in their lives.
Typically they are prepared in the morning by women, then they are delivered with a prayer to the gods, & a stick of incense is lit, when the incense goes out the offering is complete & will soon be swept away.
Although it is believed to be bad luck if you step on them, it does happen a lot, just say sorry to the gods & you will be forgiven.
At our retreat we learn how to make a traditional canang sari crafting the baskets with thin sticks of reeds to lock the pieces together when they are shaped, many Balinese now use a stapler for speed & convenience. Our teacher Eka is an expert & has made up to 40 at one sitting!
​We also have a try balancing the Gebogan on our heads as the women do whilst walking to the temple. It is a lot harder than we thought!
~AGNI HOTRA~
FIRE CEREMONY~
Agni Hotra is a traditional Hindu fire ceremony that involves offering ghee & grains to a sacred fire while chanting Sanskrit mantras. The word "Agni" translates to fire & "Hotra" means healing.
This powerful ritual is believed to have healing properties, purify the environment, release negative energies, & set positive intentions for the future.
During the ceremony, a pyramid-shaped fire is lit & offerings of ghee & rice are made, typically at sunrise or sunset. Participants join the priests in offering rice to the flames while chanting mantras, creating a deeply spiritual & uplifting experience.
The ceremony is said to bring happiness, peace & prosperity, with the smoke from the fire believed to purify the air & reduce the spread of airborne diseases. As part of the ritual, participants write on two pieces of paper—one for what they wish to let go of & another for what they want to attract into their lives.
Agni Hotra is a transformative ceremony that combines spiritual connection, environmental purification & the power of intention to inspire ,renewal & add harmony to your life.
​
Attending one of our Agni Hotra ceremonies is an unforgettable experience. Whether or not you consider yourself a spiritual person, this sacred practice has a way of awakening a deeper connection within. It’s truly a remarkable experience.
