Penjors in Bali

During the galungan day in Bali, Bali turns out pretty well-groomed, all roads on Bali are lined with decorated bamboo shaft called penjors. Penjor is tall, curved bamboo pole decorated with coconut leaves on top and an offering at the base. This is the one of media used by hindhus in Bali as part of almost every important ceremony. During the Galungan day celeberation each family erects a penjor outside their gate, which makes the whole neighborhood look splendid. The Sri Jaya Kasunu manuscript stated that the penjor symbolizes the mountain and the mountain itself is the symbol of universe. Therefore, for the Balinese the penjor is synonymous with mount agung, the holy mountain. Hindus devotion to god in his manifestation as hyang Giri Pati ( The god of the Mountain). Mountain with deep forests fullfills a lot of water which flows into the river, this then fullfills water needs for irrigation and for drinking water.

MATERIAL FOR A PENJOR,
The basic material of a penjors is a curved bamboo pole. the pole then decorated with yellow coconut leaves; pala bungkah ( root-sweet potato or casava); pala gantung (fruits - cucumber, oranges, bananas), Pala wija ( cereal - rice, corn), Plawa (leaves), Traditional cakes, 11 chinese coin and small shrine with some offerings. we can get most of those materials on the slope of a mountain in Bali.
All materials for a penjor for a penjor constitute people's basic needs. This means that we should take care of the existence of those things. The holy book Manawa Dharma Sastra talks about the reincarnation of the plants and livestock used in every ceremony. It is believed that they become better creature in their next life. Therefore, everyone should include all kinds of creatures as sacrifies to the Gods. Plants belong to Eka Premana, animals belong to Dwi Premana and they both should act as sacrifices for human beings. People are Tri Premana and should make sacrifices on behalf of all creatures. It is stated in the Bhagawad Gita that one who never makes a sacrifice will have a useless life.