DEWI SRI

Dewi Sri is the goddess of rice on the islands of Java, Bali, Lombok and Sulawesi.

Her worship began with the development and spread of rice cultivation in Asia, the belief in the goddess of rice eventually migrated and influenced the people of the archipelago. Similar mythologies to spirits that provide fertility in some areas differ slightly and are widespread among the Southeast Asian region as well as neighboring countries.

The mythology of Dewi Sri in the archipelago is thought to have existed since the early first century, she is equated with the Hindu goddess Sri Laksmi, and is often considered an incarnation or one of her manifestations.

Mythology about the rice goddess can also be found in other Asian countries such as Phosop in Thailand, Po Nagar in Cambodia and Inari in Japan.