An offering is something tangible, presented to appease the Gods in times of prayer. Philosophically, an offering is a sort of self sacrifice that takes time and effort to prepare. The simplest Balinese offering called ngejot is performed every morning once the family food has been prepared. Small portions of leaf are placed on a tray and topped with a sprinkle of salt, a few grains of rice and some shredded coconut (or a tiny piece of the food that has just been cooked). This is then placed in the family shrine and presented to God in appreciation for the food that is about to be consumed.

Kain poleng refers to the black and white checkered cloth that is prominent throughout the island of Bali. In a symbolic context, this black and white fabric is a representation of good and evil in their simplest forms. This check design is often worn over the top of a sarong by the Balinese men who are in charge of security at traditional and religious celebrations called Pecalang. Kain poleng is also used to shroud specific Hindu shrines and statues within the temple compound that are believed to ward off negative forces and act as safe-keepers.

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Odalan (temple ceremony) on May 21, 2006
Redite Pon Medangsia

Pura Petilan Pangrebongan, Kesiman village, east of Denpasar, know for Ngerebong special event, when a group of the temple-adherents being in trance, stab them self with Keris, the traditional dagger as indication that the rituals have been in process accordingly. A cook fighting Tajen is also held in the morning as part of the rituals.

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Serangan Island - Serangan is a small island that lies off the Balinese coastline just south of Sanur and has long played an important role in local religious history. Despite its size, there are actually four temple compounds found on the island and Pura Sakenan is considered one of the holiest sites of worship for Balinese Hindu�s.

These pictures were taken from about 1200 meters uphill and described the whole Trunyan village – very isolated as located in the foot of Mount Abang, the only access to other villages to use boat across Lake Batur. However, there is road under construction that link Trunyan to Abang, Buahan and Kedisan Village. The fund assistance comes from the governor of Bali and the construction is managed by Villager of Trunyan. If this road will be finished then Trunyan can be accessed by cars and motorcycles then this will help to grow economy of Trunyan people.

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On July 3, 2005, I saw at Taman Budaya, in Denpasar, two complete Ramayana stories, back to back. One was danced by a Yogyakarta group, and the other one — right after the first one, in a miraculous double-header — by a Balinese group.

They were both very beautiful, each in its own way. And very different.

The Javanese version was slow, elegant, decorous, fluid and meditative; it is a true royal art, a ballet for the king’s court; the Balinese was mincing, nervous, frantic, full of crazy stops and starts, and — hilarious; a folk art: sophisticated but popular.

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