Indonesians are devout about fulfilling their religious duties. Staying with an Indonesian family, I was witness to the special phenomenon of making offerings. All kinds of offerings to be exact. I watched my Indonesian friend spend hours on end making different sorts and designs of offerings made, of course, for different purposes and occasions. Some were placed around the home while some were used for when going to the temple to pray.
I was a little confused and overwhelmed by the entire process – the how and why – of making these offerings. I tried to help out but my offer was refused. I guess that the making of the offerings is more than merely pretty things for the shrine, but part of a ritual that shows dedication to the gods.
Each offering was made in a particular sequence. Everything in its place. The concentration exercised by these Balinese women in making something so beautiful is simply captivating. As well as flowers, large amounts of fruits were also bought to create other offerings. Fruits are stacked on top of one another to form a tower of tropical fruit. These are carried by women on their heads on their way to the temple.
I was blown away at how much poise and grace they demonstrate while carrying these 10 kg offerings on their heads. And we thought balancing a book on our heads was hard.
Once the offerings are placed on the shrine or in the home, a mantra is recited and then the flowers and fruits are consecrated with holy water. And that’s it. The prayers are finished. I remember thinking that maybe it’s true, that, it’s really all about the journey rather than the destination.
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