canangs

Canangs, also known as canang sari, are small offering trays used in Balinese Hindu practice. They are typically made from woven coconut or palm leaves and arranged as a shallow, tray-like package that is laid on altars, shrines, or at strategic places around homes, temples, and public spaces.

A canang usually contains a selection of flowers, such as jasmine, frangipani, and marigold, arranged with care. The contents may also include a small amount of rice or cake and, in many cases, an incense stick or other symbolic items. The exact composition varies by local tradition and the occasion, but the arrangement is intended to be a single, harmonious offering to the divine and to ancestral spirits.

Offerings are prepared and presented as part of daily ritual life in Bali. Canangs are placed on shrines at home and in temples, and they are often positioned at crossroads or other places considered to be gateways for spiritual energy. They are made and offered multiple times a day as a way to maintain balance and harmony, inviting blessings and warding off negative influences. The practice is tied to broader Balinese Hindu beliefs about dharma, purity, and the relationship between humans, gods, and nature.

Canangs are a core element of Balinese ritual aesthetics and community life, reflecting devotion, hospitality, and a cultural emphasis on ritual regularity. They are typically replaced each day as part of ongoing spiritual upkeep and ceremonial cycles.