Worship and Religous Offerings, Bali
Balinese religion is predominantly based on Hinduism overlaid with animist beliefs of island spirits. Balinese people worship the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu and a supreme God, Sanghyang Widi. There are over 15,000 community temples in the island and they serve as the focal point of many festivals, ceremonies or celebrations.
One of the most colorful of these ceremonies is the annual temple dedication day (birthday) called Odalan, in which the entire neighborhood community brings colorful and elaborate offerings to be blessed at these temples. The offerings generally consist of fresh fruit and cooked food arranged on a palm leaf (sampian) and decorated with flowers. These attractive offerings, each of which is work of art in itself, are usually carried to the temple by the colorfully dressed Balinese women.
During my visit in July 2007, I was honored to have attended several “Odalan” ceremonies and festivals at some of these temples and photograph Balinese people engrossed in worship, celebrations and festivities.
© Anand Khokha Photography
