Temples in Bali
It would be impossible to visit Bali and not see the temples. Mostly because they are everywhere! Bali has been called the land of a thousand temples, and it is an apt description. Temples large and small are dot the Balinese landscape. In fact, there are tens of thousands of temples in Bali, from the simple to the ornate, from the very large, to the very small. There are so many temples in Bali that the government doesn’t even bother counting them. In Bali the word for temple is Pura. Both words are used here.
In Balinese-Hinduism it is believed that the mountains are for the gods, the flat lands are for the people, and the sea is for the demons. (One of the reasons the ancient Balinese did not do much ocean navigation!) It most villages you will find temples for all three. The Pura Puseh is the most important temple, for honoring and worshiping the gods, the Pura Desa will be for the people. This temple is for the spirits that bless and protect the people. The third type of temple, Pura Dalem, is used to appease the demons and to ask for protection from the spirits.
The best time to visit a temple is during it’s festival day. This only happens once per year for each temple, however, there are so many temples that it should not be difficult to find a temple festival. When visiting the temples it is important to show respect. Women should not wear shorts or have bare shoulders. There is a prohibition against blood on sacred ground, so anyone who is bleeding, including women during their cycle, should not visit the temples. Never stand directly in front of the priest, or be at a level above the priest’s head. No flash photography. Kneel when others kneel and in general, try to blend in and do what others do. Men may be asked to wear a sash. These can be rented, but if you are going to be visiting a lot of temples it might make sense to buy your own.
The one temple you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Bali is Basakih. It is often called the Mother Temple and is located high on Mount Agung. It is the most important temple in Bali. There are over 22 structures, some dating back to the 14th century. Located here are shrines to Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu.
One of the oldest temples in Bali is Pura Luhur Batu Karu. It is located 10 km west of Bedugul. It overlooks a lake which has a temple to the goddess of Lake Tamblingan.
If you like bats you’ll love Goa Lawah Temple. A sacred site for Brahma, the temple is located in a cave filled with bats. It is said the caves may go all the way to Basakih. If bats are not your style you might prefer the Sangeh Monkey Sanctuary. Watch your belongings as you visit this temple surrounded by tall nutmeg trees. The monkeys are sneaky thieves! They particularly like glasses and keys.
So during your visit to Bali, make sure to enjoy the architecture, the sculpture, the festivities, and the sacredness of the Balinese temples.
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The Temples and Religion of Bali
Article by Anwar H
A majority Hindu island in an overwhelmingly Muslim nation, Bali is perhaps the most culturally unique island in Indonesian archipelago. Known as the island of a thousand temples, religion plays an important role in everyday life for the local Balinese. People are often fond of saying that there are more temples than houses in Bali. A place steeped in thousands of years of history, the temples and palaces all over Bali are a legacy of the ancient kingdoms that once ruled this island paradise.
The average Balinese is fairly devout adherent of the distinct form of Hinduism practised on the island. A faith that that withstood countless attempts of subjugation over the centuries, Balinese Hinduism arose out of an amalgam of traditional Indian Hindu traditions, Balinese animist practises and pre-Islamic Javanese faiths.
The village temple is the focal point of spiritual life. Regarded as a meeting place between man and god, the temples in Bali burst into life with elaborate decorations during the many festivals and temple anniversaries. There are temples to celebrate nearly every aspect of Balinese life: family temples, village temples, house temples, banjar(neighbourhood) temples, subak(crop irrigation) temples, cave temples, temples honouring the ancestor, and even a temple honouring the monkeys on the island.
The main temple for the entire island is Besakih Temple, or Mother Temple. Located 1000 metres above sea level on the rising slopes of Mount Agung in Eastern Bali, the temple is named after an ancient Dragon God believed to inhabit the mountain. Other major temples that are accessible to tourists include Pura Luhur Batu Karu in central Bali, Pura Kehen near Bangli, Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and the always popular Sangeh Monkey Sanctuary, also in central Bali.
If life in a faraway tropical paradise steeped in Eastern culture and religion appeals to you, then why not consider buying or renting a vacation home at the 5-star Lovina Beach Resort in Bali’s serene, unspoiled north? It has never been easier or more affordable to invest in international beachfront property in Bali. Contact Louise at 65 9742 1164 or email her for more information on international property investment opportunities in Bali.
About the Author
Situated in Bali’s north shore, Lovina is known for its peace, friendliness, beauty and affordability. Among the things to see and do in Lovina are dolphin watching, scuba diving, snorkelling, waterfalls, hot springs, beaches and ancient temples. For more information visit http://www.lovinabeachresort.com
A TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow of a travel blog to Denpasar, Indonesia by TravelPod blogger Deanandliz titled “Bali – land of temples and smiles” Deanandliz’s travel blog entry: “Sanur – Dive course – PADI Open Water 3 days training and 1 fun dive day Sat: Picked up at 0725 for the dive course, and had our first glimpse of Bali with daylight. Temples, lots of temples, not necessarily big, but plenty all the same where people leave offerings of flowers and incense. Dive school was down a super narrow alley opening up into courtyard and pool where we met Paul (Dean dive instructor). Dean’s skills went well and Paul made it fun by underwater races and break dancing as well as being precise, organised and professional. Great to be back in 30C heat instead of 11C in Sydney! Sun: more of the same, Lizzie relaxing by the pool, Dean on his dive course. Changed accommodation to be just opposite the dive centre in a beautiful hotel Puri Sidha Mertha. Mon: Off on a 2.5hr mini bus ride passing paddy fields, little villages and great scenery to Tulamben. The best thing about Bali, everyone is happy..even in a traffic jam you can see smiles and laughter. A very happy place – we love it. Dean went diving and Lizzie snorkeled the wreck, saw a massive shoal of Jacks and felt dizzy from them swimming around and around you! Dinner with Paul, Mandy, Laura (who is Trini and predictably a distant relative of a Kelshall, parents cousins or something.. small world) and Tom. Dean qualified as a …
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Breathtaking Temples To Explore On Bali Holidays
Article by Claire Bryant
Whilst on your Bali holidays take some time out to visit the beautiful temples of the region. Whether you’re exploring Hindu temples located in bat caves or a temple dedicated to the dragon god of the mountain, you’ll be blown away by the myths and legends that surround these sacred places of worship.
The hotels in Bali may be opulent, but they have nothing on the decadent temples of the region. Of all the Bali temples the best known is the Besaikh Temple, which is also known as the Mother Temple. The temple is located on the side of Mount Agung, with the mountain peaks giving it an almost mythical quality. On your Bali holiday take a tour to this temple which is perched at 1,000 feet up the mountain and named after the dragon god that is said to inhabit the mountain. The Besaikh temple is the only temple in which a Hindu of any caste system can worship, and this is due to the eighteen separate sanctuaries housed within the Besaikh. The three main shrines in this temple are dedicated to the Hindu gods: Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, and on your Bali holidays you will see a number of Balinese people who have made the pilgrimage to lay yellow marigold flowers upon their deities’ shrines.
A popular temple with tourists on their Bali holiday tours is the ‘Goa Lawah’ which literally translates to ‘Bat Cave’. The temple is not only a popular visitor attraction but is also a place of religious importance to the Balinese people. It is one of the nine directional temples that protect Bali from evil spirits, with the Goa Lawah protecting from the evil of the South-East. The temple is not for the faint-hearted on their Bali holidays, as it is located in a temple filled with thousands and thousands of flittering bats. If you’re not keen on bats then you probably won’t want to hear that the bat cave is also considered the home to (of) the giant legendary snake, Naga Basuki, who was thought to be the caretaker of the earth’s equilibrium.
If you’re after a temple that’s a little less sinister on your Bali holidays then why not take a trip to the Pura Luhur Temple? This temple is considered to be one of the best places in Bali to catch a sunset. Pura Luhur is located in Uluwata, which is also home to some of the best hotels in Bali, and with the Indian Ocean located nearby this is an ideal place to visit on your Bali tour holiday. The temple, which is dedicated to the spirits of the sea and made exclusively from black coral rock, is also considered to be one of the countries’ (country’s) archaeological wonders.
Another temple located next to the Indian Ocean is the Tanah Lot Temple, situated on a huge rock in the middle of the ocean. It was built in the 16th Century by one the last priests to come to Bali from Java, and like the Pura Luhur Temple, is also dedicated to the guardian spirits of the sea.
When you take a Bali holiday tour to the Tanah Lot Temple, you may want to watch your footing on the way up as the sea is littered with poisonous sea snakes. These are believed to be the temples guardians standing vigil against any evil spirits, or any would-be intruders who may want to visit the spectacular temple during their Bali holidays.
About the Author
Claire Bryant is a Bali holidays specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in Bali hotels, as well as holidays to Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean, Italy, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius Sri Lanka and the Seychelles, and Dubai. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.
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