Picture a Balinese village just before sunrise: wisps of incense smoke curl skyward, and baskets brimming with colorful offerings line temple courtyards. Those are banten—meticulously arranged offerings that form the heartbeat of every ceremony, from the vibrant beats of Galungan to the hushed stillness of Nyepi.

Preparation starts at daybreak. Fresh ingredients are scouted at the morning market—rice, palm sugar, an assortment of fruits, betel leaves, young coconut, flowers in every hue, and sometimes a sliver of fish or meat for certain local deities. Banana or coconut leaves are folded and secured with tiny skewers to create tiered trays, cones, or boat shapes, each design carrying a symbolic nod to the unseen realms.

Here’s how the magic unfolds:

1. Weaving the Foundation
   • Banana leaf artisans craft little baskets and cones (called “wadah” and “tumpeng”).
   • Precision matters: each fold and crease pays respect to Dewi Sri, the rice goddess.

2. Layering the Elements
   • Sticky rice is packed or molded into pulut (pink, white, black) cakes.
   • Flowers—frangipani, marigold, jasmine—are threaded together or laid as petals.
   • Pieces of fruit (mango, banana, coconut) symbolize abundance and gratitude.

3. Final Touches
   • Incense sticks and small lamps (canang) are tucked in.
   • A sprinkle of holy water blesses the entire arrangement.

4. Blessing and Placement
   • A priest chants mantras invoking local deities like Barong or Dewi Danu.
   • Offerings find their homes on family shrines, community temples, or at crossroads—each spot believed to be a portal for spirits.

Modern twists crop up, too. At the Bali Arts Festival 2025, eco-friendly banten made with recycled fabrics and local blooms stole the show, proving that tradition can dance hand-in-hand with innovation. Vendors near Ubud Market now boast “Instagrammable” offerings, yet the essence remains unchanged: an act of devotion, a conversation with the divine, and a tangible reminder of tri hita karana—the Balinese philosophy of harmony among humans, nature, and the spiritual world.