‘Everywhere’: Warning after Bali find baffles Aussie tourist

A confused Aussie tourist has asked why he keeps seeing these “everywhere” in Bali, with frequent travellers warning him to keep his feet away.

A baffled Aussie tourist has taken to social media to ask why he keeps seeing so many small baskets left on the ground in Bali.

And frequent travellers had one stern warning for him: don’t stand on them.

The baskets are presented with incense sticks and filled with things like fruits and flowers, or even money or cigarettes.

They are Balinese offerings to the Gods and it is a big part of the culture on the popular holiday island.

According to local travel guide Bali.com the tradition comes from a line in the Hindu scripture, Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita: “Whosoever offers to me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, that offering of love, of the pure heart I accept (ix: 26)”.

The aim of the offerings is to delight the Gods and Goddesses, so they grant all their wishes.

Offerings on the street in Bali called Canang Sari. Picture: Aron Zammit / Facebook

The Balinese people make offerings for the Gods of positive forces, but also for negative spirits to keep balance and harmony in their lives.

The former will be presented on a higher platform, while the latter it will be laid down on the ground.

Bali.com warns tourists not to step over or on the offerings on the ground as long as the incense stick is still burning.

One traveller told the confused tourist who posted on a Bali Facebook group that they too didn’t know what all the baskets were until they asked their driver to explain.

“If they are on alters they are to their Gods and if they are on the grounds it is an offering to bad spirits with things like cigarettes, food etc. to make the spirit happy so they do not disturb the lives of those at the home/shop etc.,” the woman wrote.

Another agreed the offerings on the ground were “for the evil spirits to appease them”.

They added: “[The Balinese] will wear a sarong with a sash around the waist when making the offerings to separate the clean and unclean parts of the body.”

There is another type of offering called Banten Tegeh where Balinese women carry a stack of food and fruits on their head while walking towards a temple. Picture: Getty

The post did start a debate about whether travellers heading to Bali should already do their research about the culture before landing.

“The Balinese are such beautiful people. Stop and ask. They will explain everything to you including why they have offered particular things like rice for example,” one woman suggested.

Other Australians shared their mistakes of stepping on the offerings.

“I have accidentally stood on some, I just put my hands together and do a little nod in apology,” one said.

“Just try not to step on them or kick them on your way through but sometimes it happens and just apologise,” another instructed.

Bali officials have been cracking down on foreigners’ misbehaviour this year and as part of this there has been a big push for tourists to be more aware of not only local laws, but culture.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster released the administration’s official tourist dos and don’ts list at the end of May.

Tour operators and local guides have been instructed to keep visitors in check and educate them.