Make canang sari in Bali

What it is

Canang sari are the small square trays of flowers you see everywhere in Bali: on pavements, shrines, shop counters and car dashboards. Balinese Hindus make and offer them daily as thanks. The tray is woven from young coconut leaf. Flowers are placed by colour to face the directions and their gods: white to the east, red to the south, yellow to the west, and blue or green to the north, with shredded pandan leaf on top. Frangipani, marigold, hydrangea and ylang-ylang are common. Many family compounds and cultural centres around Ubud teach visitors how to cut, fold and pin the tray and place the flowers.

Before you go

• Choose a class run by a local family. It usually lasts one to two hours.
• Wear a sarong and sash if you will be placing the offering at a temple.
• Never step on or over an offering on the ground.

The flowers you will see

PlumeriaFragrant tropical tree with waxy, five-petaled flowers in many coloursAztec marigoldThe golden-yellow flower of Mexican altars and Day of the Dead offeringsBigleaf HydrangeaA Japanese shrub with large pink or blue flower heads that change colour with soilYlang-ylangA tropical tree with highly fragrant yellow flowers used for perfume and decoration

Also part of it, and being written: Impatiens balsamina.

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🇮🇩 Bogor · All yearBogor Botanical GardensIndonesia's oldest botanical garden, with giant trees, an orchid house and the occasional titan arum.