While visiting the Besakih Temple in Bali I captured this photo of women carrying woven bamboo baskets that carry ingredients for temple offerings. This series of temples – the largest and considered the most important of Balinese temples is built on the slopes of Mount Agung, the principal volcano of Bali.
I like that this photo captures the moment for me – like you are really there on the steps, moving aside for the women to pass by you. I like the vibrant colors in the image – mostly of their clothing. The rugged stones of the temple walls and the stairs add some character and a glimpse of the vegetations tells of the tropical nature of the island.
These Balinese-Hindu offerings are known as ‘canang sari’. It’s a woman’s responsibility (and devotion) to create these offerings often with rice, flowers, incense, sweets, fruits, spices. It’s said that the Balinese believe that offerings nourish the gods and invite them to the island to protect its inhabitants