Let’s visit the temples in Bali to get a different experience of the trip. Pura or temple is where Hindus come to say their grace and send the offerings to the Gods. Even though the temple is a holy place, temples in Bali always full of visitors, especially tourists. You can find such different vibe when you’re walking into the Pura complex. The combination of holiness temple, calming ambiance, scenic surrounding, and magnificent cultural vibe will surely please your eyes and soul. Many of the temples in Bali let the non-Hindu visitors take a light tour inside the temple complex.
In some occasions, you can see the locals do their praying and offering as well. In a special day, there will be some festivals on the Pura as well. Just make sure you wear polite clothes and don’t bother them. Then. Here’s a list of temples in Bali that you must drop by!
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Cleanse and Bless Yourself with the Holy Water of Pura Tirta Empul
Pura Tirta Empul by @marinabussandri You can find tons of temples in Bali, from the small one till the biggest and widest temple in the land. The first temple that we will visit is Pura Tirta Empul. The name of this temple reflects the main attraction of Pura Tirta Empul, which is “Holy Water”. There are several pools within the temple complex, where the visitors may dip and cleanse their selves. The water comes from the spring, then stream out to those three pools, as well as fish ponds and bath purifications. The temple was built on the ancient Balinese Kingdom, Warmadewa Dynasty, on 960 AD.
Pura Tirta Empul has three different parts; Jaba Pura (front yard), Jaba Tengah (central yard), Jeroan (inner yard). The purification pools lay inside the central yard. Along with the pools, you’ll witness 30 watersports that supply the water. Here are the places, where Hindus and other visitors line up to cleanse their selves. People believe, whenever you take a shower her all of your sins will be swept away. Please don’t forget to dress modestly and period women are not allowed to come inside Pura Tirta Empul. One more information, near the Pura, you can see a beautiful villa called Istana Tampaksiring. When 1954, the villa was built for President Soekarno’s visit.
Address: Jalan Tirta, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552
Operational hours: Open Daily from 7 AM till 5 PM
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Pura Besakih, The Biggest and The Holiest Temple in The Land
Pura Besakih is the largest, oldest and the holiest Hindu temple complex in Bali. As the “mother of temples”, lots of important religious rituals holds in here. Pura Besakih was built when Majapahit Kingdom still ruled the land, at 1343. For over 1000 years, this temple has faced many natural disasters. The biggest one would be the Mount Agung eruption in 1963. The eruption was quite destructive since the lava could reach the entrance yard of Pura Besakih. However, miraculously the lava didn’t make any considerable damage. Well, we can say that the Deities were protecting the complex.
Pura Besakih by @sikadekdes There are around 86 temples inside the Pura Besakih complex since it has a quite wide area. However, only a few of them are opened for the public, only the pilgrims could visit the rest. Moreover, you can find many different temples for various Deities in one complex. That’s the reason why many rituals hold in here. Pura Besakih has magnificent scenery, since it lays just right before the sacred mount, Mount Agung. So, when the air is clear you can witness the majestic scenery of this mount, directly from the temple.
Address: Besakih Village, Rendang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80863
Operational hours: Pura Besakih open daily for 24 hours each day. However, for the tourist visit, you may come between 8 AM till 5 PM. If you want to visit outside the tourist visit hours, better for you to ask for the local companions.
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The Most Jaw-Dropping Sea Temple in the House, Pura Tanah Lot
Temples in Bali have their own uniqueness and characteristics. Besides its beauty of sunset scenery, Pura Tanah Lot is famous due to its unique temple location. Based on the local folklore, the temple was established in 1489 when the Majapahit priest, Dang Hyang Nirartha, came to Bali to spread the Hinduism. The priest built the temple in order to honor the God of the sea. the location of Pura Tanah Lot is in the cliff facing the ocean. When the visitors are about to come closer, they need to wait until the tide is low. On that moment, you can walk through the rocky path to reach the temple. Sadly, visitors that are able to come further than the entrance gate are limited only for Hindus.
Pura Tanah Lot by @felakan Even though you’re unable to explore inside Pura Tanah Lot complex, the beauty of this temple is quite magnificent on the outside. The best time to witness the main attraction of Pura Tanah Lot is in the evening. Yep, we’re going to watch the dusk show! The majestic silhouette of the temple, with the golden sunset sky, will leave a great memory on you. If you’re looking for the cultural or religious ceremony, then better for you to come at Kuningan Day. The local will hold the festival that surely interesting enough for you. Five days after the Kuningan Day would be the temple anniversary (piodalan), so dress modestly at any temple to respect the day. For the next Tanah Lot, piodalan days are 7th August 2019, 4th March 2020 and 30th September 2020.
Address: Jalan Tanah Lot, Beraban, Kediri, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82121
Operational hours: Open Daily from 7 AM till 7 PM
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As Beautiful as Its Name, Pura Taman Saraswati
Pura Taman Saraswati by @wandererinvogue Lays beneath the center of culture, Ubud, you can find an incredible temple. Dedicated to the Goddes of knowledge, arts, and learning, Saraswati. That’s the reason why the temple architecture is amusing and artistic. Before wandering inside the temple area, the beautiful stone bridge that crosses the lotus pond will be your appetizer. When the blooming season, the pinkish lotus will fill up the pond! The bridge is the most favorite photo spot for the tourist. No wonder you’ll find a long line of tourists who are waiting for their photo session.
Pura Taman Saraswati is a bit different than the previous temples. If those temples were built at the old Balinese kingdom, then Pura Taman Saraswati was recently established. The breath-taking temple was built by the great local architect, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, in 1951 and finished in 1952. The most important thing you need to know is Pura Taman Saraswati is free admission temple! Just wear a sarong and a sash when you’re coming to this temple.
Address: Jalan Lajeng, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Operational hours: Open Daily and the good information for your travelers, you can drop by here any time you want!
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Pura Uluwatu where You Can Watch a Majestic Kecak Dance Performance
Pura Uluwatu by @till_next_timee Pura Uluwatu is another sea temple that you can visit in Bali, besides Pura Tanah Lot. Even though this temple shares the same name with Pura Tanah Lot, Pura Uluwatu offers more majestic scenery and vibe. Pura Uluwatu has remained the same for centuries, makes this temple be one of the oldest temples in Bali as well as the most beautiful one. You can find a tiny forest where bunches of monkeys live in peace. Locals believe the monkeys are the guardians of the temple.
Facing the wide Indian Ocean is the beneficial side of Pura Uluwatu. When you visit this temple, you’ll have a clear wide ocean scenery! Moreover, this temple holds Kecak dance performance every evening. With the reddish sunset sky as the backdrop, the dancing show is more majestic and breath-taking.
Address: Pecatu, Kuta Selatan, Kabupaten Badung, Bali
Operational hours: Open Daily, for tourists visit, would be from 9 AM till 6 PM.
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Get a Dramatic Sunset or Sunrise Picture at Pura Luhur Lempuyang
Pura Luhur Lempuyang, or the Temple in the Sky, would be your main stopover if you’re looking for artistic photo spot. The temple complex is in the highland of Desa Tribuana. Pura Luhur Lempuyang was built approximately on the 600 meters high above the level. If you visit it when the sky is clear, you can see some clouds floating beside you!
Pura Luhur Lempuyang by @nina_rayos In order to reach the temple, you have to step up through more than a hundred stairs! Well, quite exhausting but the magnificent scenery above Pura Luhur Lempuyang will make your effort worth. Both sunrise and sunset in Bali‘s panoramas in this Pura are jaw-dropping. The best spot to watch them is on the stone gate that directly facing Mount Agung. Since the scenery here is amusing, lots of tourists want to take a photo here. So, don’t forget to take some.
Address: Banjar Purwa Ayu, Desa Tribuana, Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali
Operational hours: Open Daily
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Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, An Iconic Temple in the Middle of Lake
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan by @giorgiaccolla Another unique temples in Bali lay above the Beratan Lake in Bedugul. The temple is not actually floating in the middle of the lake, but Pura Ulun Danu Beratan looks like it’s floating above the water from miles away! The temple is famous among the local tourists. So, you’ll meet groups of locals, from any area, stopover to mesmerize the beauty of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan.
The best thing to witness the grandeur of the temple is getting closer to it with a traditional boat. You can rent a boat from the locals near the Beratan Lake. Besides enjoying the magnificent view of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, you can try some of the water sports on the other side of Beratan Lake. After having fun with water sports or watching the beauty of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, you can grab some local snacks and beverages on the food stalls.
Address: Danau Beratan, Candikuning, Baturiti, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82191
Operational hours: Open Daily from 8 AM till 6 PM
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Pura Paluang, where “Cars” being Part of the Holy Temple
Pura Paluang might be the one and only temple that has unique statues on its yard. When you’re coming to this temple, you might be wondering why locals put the car statues in here. This uniqueness makes the temple becomes one of the must-visit attractions when you’re visiting Nusa Penida. Besides the car statues, Pura Paluang has magnificent surrounding that worth to see.
Pura Paluang by @arisetiawati The greeneries are covering the temple, along with the grey long-tailed monkeys. Moreover, you can easily reach Kelingking Beach since the location is not far from Pura Paluang. Even though it has modern sculptures, locals believe that Pura Paluang was built before the engine was invented! Well, you might believe it or not because sometimes the locals hear the sound of cars engine out from the temple complex! Just chill out if you’re coming on the day time, cause you’ll meet dozens of people here.
Address: Desa Karang Dawa, Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771
Operational hours: Open Daily
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Tulamben Temple the Underwater Temple
We’ve done talking about sea temple, a temple in the “sky”, a temple with unique decoration and everything. So, the last but not the least temple that you must drop by will not be above the land. Prepare your snorkeling or diving equipment to take a visit to the underwater temple, Tulamben Temple. Actually, there are some of the coasts that provide “temple” under the sea, however, the well-known one is Tulamben Temple. To visit it, you need to put much more effort compared to Pura Tanah Lot or Pura Luhur Lempuyang.
Tumlaben Underwater Temple by @mymymmyy_moe The one that you spot under the ocean blanket isn’t the exact temple just like in the land. You will not visit the whole complex of the temple, with complete statues of Hindu Gods and Goddess or Pura here. On the other hand, numerous Buddhist and Hindu statues will welcome you instead. To create this diving spot, in 2013 those statues and stupas were submerged. And since that day the statues and stupas become the home for sea creatures and corals. You can visit them on the 7 meters down to the ocean. Better for you to take a visit when the weather is nice, and no rain takes apart. Moreover, don’t forget to take pictures here with an underwater camera. (Ty)
Address: Tulamben Beach, Karangasem, Bali
