Temples & Monuments

A number of the larger temples have become included as a 'tourist attraction' for visitors to Bali, relating a great deal of the history of Bali. When visiting these places, please show respect for the holy site. A number of regulations are generally found to be posted at the entrance to a temple, requiring a visitor to wear a selendang (scarf tied around the waist) and a sarong. Often a donation is asked for to help in the everyday maintenance of the temple grounds. It should also be noted that a woman should not enter the temple during menstruation because she is considered sebel (unclean) at this time. Other people considered sebel include those with a recently bereaved family member, and those that are sick. 
 
Often you'll see a man dressed in white, he is the pemangku (the village priest) who tends to the everyday needs of the temple. And the pedanda (high priest) is called on for major ceremonies. The pemangku can be chosen from any caste, but the pedanda only comes from the highest caste, the Brahmanas. 

Pura = Temple

Pura Besakih

Probably the most visited temples in Bali. It's on an active volcano and it's size is enormous. This temple is where the 60 most important annual ceremonies of the regular Balinese Hindu relious year are held so it's very likely that one will be held while you're in Bali - bring a sarong, film, and dress appropriately.
The Balinese Hindus have always believed in the divinity of the mountains, and this temple is located on the largest mountain in Bali (Mount Agung). History says that when a Hindu priest visited the area and saw the mountain for the first time, he was so impressed that he had a divine inspiration to establish the main temple for all Balinese Hindus here. The priest buried small pieces of metal - gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin. They say that they rose up out of the ground and all saw them form the complete outline of the temple.  It is said that if you meditate here long enough, you can still see the original rainbow coloured hazy outline of the temple.

Pura Tanah Lot

The most photographed temple in Bali.
Sunset at Tanah Lot is breathtaking and popular with the tourists.

Pura Candi Dasa

The name Candi Dasa comes from the words cili dasa, meaning "10 children". This temple is dedicated to the Balinese goddess of fertility. The ancient myth goes that there was once a goddess named Hariti who was infertile but who wanted children to continue her bloodline. One day she heard some Balinese people praying for rain and when she looked down from heaven she saw that the couple were praying to the clouds. She knew that the couple were unable to produce a child as well. The goddess took pity on them and she began to cry and her tears fell as rain upon them. The couple, caught up in the moment, made love right then and there, and their spontaneous union resulted in a pregnancy and birth of their first child. And from that moment, the goddess Hariti was also fertile. She immediately gave birth to 10 children.
Thesedays, the Balinese come to this temple to pray for children and rain. It is said that if a couple spends the night here making love, they will be blessed with many children - especially if it rains, however it is against the law.

Uluwatu Temple

See more videos of Bali Cremations and Temples here
Buy Books on Bali Temples here.