Bali Temples
Indonesia

Traditional morning prayers, food and flower gifts to Hindu deities in Bali's Ubud.

Although Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, 93% of Balinese people practice Hinduism and the island is packed with luscious and lovely Hindu temples (pura) in all shapes and sizes.

When visiting a temple foreign tourists are expected to wear clothing that covers their legs and shoulders, so no shorts or tank tops. Some temples provide sarongs free or rental but the sensible thing to do is buy a nice one beforehand that will save money, hassles and also be a fine souvenir on returning home.

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Tanah Lot temple.

Bali's most famous tourist pura, both spectacular and conveniently near to Bali's best beaches, was built in the 16th century and dedicated to sea gods and spirits, so it's appropriately home to toxic sea snakes that breed in caves around the rock base. Tanah Lot is particularly popular and crowded for sunset photos, just when the slippery serpents are looking for a bedtime snack.

Prayer time at Bali's most important temple (for local people), Pura Besakih. It's not recommended for tourists, however, unless you enjoy being swindled.

Located on the slopes of Mount Agung, a volcano in north-east Bali, Besakih is a sacred collection of 22 temples that is particularly revered recently because during a deadly volcanic eruption in 1963 rivers of lava missed the complex by a few metres.

Besakih is a couple of hours drive from Ubud so not on the mass tourist trail which is a good thing because locals have become unpleasantly mercenary, demanding absurd sums as entry fees with mandatory temple 'guides' who proceed to insist on 'gifts' to individual temples or for 'blessings' etc. Fundamentally it's a one big 'donation' scam on a steep hillside. Fergedaboutit.

Entrance to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary containing three temples, Padangtegal village, near Ubud.

Bali's macaque monkeys demand care. Two colonies that tourists frequently come across are those in the Monkey Forest and another group hanging around Uluwatu temple at the end of the Bukit Peninsula in south Bali.

Macaques are quick, demanding and cunning and know that tourists often carry edibles so have a tendency to suddenly grab anything loose, such as sunglasses (off your face is not unknown!), camera, handbag and so on. They may then chew this treasure into its component parts or wait for the tourist - or a guide - to bribe the little critter with a banana to return the goodies.

The bottom line is...enjoy watching the monkeys, they're fascinating and sometimes cute, but don't carry any food (unless you want to be in the middle of a feeding frenzy!), hide or keep a tight grip on any possessions and keep an eye on the beasties at all time.
Of course the monkeys, like all animals, sense fear and take advantage of it, so show confidence, don't look them in the eyes and have a nice day!

Inside the Dalem Agung Padangtegal Temple, one of three pura in the Monkey Forest.
Photo by Tsu

Yet another gorgeous Balinese temple; sadly the name escapes us.

Balinese Hindu temples, people and daily rituals are serene and beautiful if you can ignore the buzz of motorcycles, the distant thump of re-development jack-hammers and the occasional grasping local.

Kedewatan temple in Kedewatan village just west of Ubud, with some great hikes nearby.
Photo by Tsu.

Tanah Lot approaching the witching hour. Perhaps not the best destination or timing for tranquil appreciation of Bali's beautiful temples! Next, Bali Festivals.
Photo by Tsu.

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