It would not be an exaggeration to say that every third building in Bali is a temple or a shrine. The real estate on which they are built must be immense. One day someone might start factoring that in and that will be an interesting time, given the pressures that are already being felt all over the island.
In the meantime Hinduism is mainstream though Bali is open to all religions. Every morning, hundreds of offerings are made and offered to the gods. The women spend hours cutting up the banana and palm leaves to size and making little receptacles in which they place the offerings. Here is one which is especially pretty but there are thousands made every day. They are placed in front of shrines, temples, statues, homes, places of business, fountains, ponds, hotels, shop fronts, restaurants and every conceivable nook and cranny which looks as if it might need one.
You may not be able to see them but every spout has an offering placed on the side.
By dusk they lie in forgotten piles on the sidewalk, in the doorways and by the shrine steps. More women spend more time sweeping them up and making new ones in preparation for the new day.
Well do you know what - I would just have a temple temper tantrum. I guess I would not be a good Hindu or a good Balinese woman. Religions are sapping not nurturing.
Think about the time you could gain instead reading books, learning new things, getting a real grasp of the history and culture in a more substantial way where you could "offer" an opinion, a bit of writing, a take on current affairs.
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