A sanggah, also called a merajan by Brahman families, is the family temple found in all Hindu-Balinese homes. The sanggah is always positioned outside, in the corner of the family compound which is most mountain-wards (in the direction of Mt. Agung). Here, the family will pray to God, known as Ida Sang Hyang Widhi in Balinese, other Godly manifestations (dewa or bhatara) and the family ancestors (leluhur). In most parts of Bali, family temples are made out of red or black brick and are elevated higher than the rest of the buildings in the compound.
A number of ceremonies are performed at the family temple. They are known as upacara yadnya and examples of these are - tooth filings, weddings, exorcisms, or temple anniversaries. Usually, family members will make offerings to place in the temple everyday, on auspicious days according to the Hindu calendar such as full moon, new moon and others. The family will gather together to pray at the sanggah’s anniversary, which occurs every 210 days. The temple anniversary is remembered on the day when the sanggah was purified after its original erection.
The total number of shrines in a sanggah varies according to the beliefs of the particular family, however they must include a shrine called padmasana (where one offers prayers to God), a shrine to pray for artistic inspiration (taksu), a shrine for ancestral worship, and one shrine called Rong Telu. Rong Telu is also known as Kemulan as it is the place where worshippers pray to the Bhatara Hyang Guru. Outside the temple there should also be a shrine called Penunggun Karang, which is believed to be the place where the spirits who guard the family temple, family and compound reside.
