As you’re traveling to Bali, Bali temple must be on your itinerary list. Bali is a unique island in Indonesia, where Hindus are the majority among the locals. Since Hindu takes the biggest part in Bali, no wonder there are lots of pura or Hindu temple spread all over the land. Then, how many temples in Bali? Counting on the number of Bali temple will just worn you out because they are countless! However, among those numerous temples, there are some of Bali temples that famous enough for your stopover. What and where are they then? Well, here are the lists of Bali temple where you should visit:
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Pura Besakih
Pura Besakih by @sikadekdes Pura Besakih of you can say it Besakih Temple Bali is the biggest temple complex in the land. For your information, Bali temple built based on some specific Gods. Let’s take Pura Tanah Lot as an example, this pura was built for the God of Ocean. However, in Pura Besakih you can spot lots of puras for many Gods. That’s the reason why Pura Besakih is the “Mother or Temple” in the Land of Gods. The temple complex is quite wide and divided into some areas. However, please be aware because you can’t wander around at some area of Pura Besakih. There are some areas inside the complex where tourists, both internationals and locals, cannot come in. One more thing, don’t forget to wear sarong whenever you go to pura, including in Pura Besakih.
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Pura Tanah Lot
As mentioned before, each of pura has its own purpose and uniqueness. When you come to Pura Besakih, you can meet any kind of puras there, then lets we visit some specific Bali temple. Bali temple Tanah Lot is one of must-visited Bali temple whenever you’re in Bali. moreover, this temple is quite unique for you who want something “different”. Long before today, Pura Tanah Lot was built to honor the God of Ocean, that’s why the location is in the cliff facing the sea.
Pura Tanah Lot by @felakan However, tourists are unable to enter the temple complex freely. They are only able to visit no more than the entrance gate. Even though you can’t wander inside the temple complex, you can still witness an honorable scenery outside. Wait until the sun starts to set, then you’ll get what people call “Majestic Panorama”. A tough pura’s silhouette with the reddish-orange sky as the background, will make your day for sure.
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Pura Luhur Uluwatu
The next Bali temple that you can visit is Bali temple in the sea, Uluwatu Temple Bali, Indonesia. Besides Tanah Lot, Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Sea temples in Bali that not only has a majestic vibe in it, but also magnificent scenery. Facing the wide open ocean, the sea-based panorama is available for 24/7! Since Pura Luhur Uluwatu’s location is in the Southern Bali (which is famous as the scenic twilight spot), don’t ever miss the sunset show here.
Pura Uluwatu by @till_next_timee Although the dusk show is almost similar to any other place, watching the sunset in Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a must. Along with the sunset, you’ll get to watch Kecak dance performance as well. Moreover, the combination of impressing Kecak dance and scarlet twilight sky, will leave a great memory for you.
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Pura Gunung Kawi
Pura Gunung Kawi by @travistan_photography How about spotting some unique Bali temple statues in a unique temple as well? Pura Gunung Kawi is an ancient temple that is still well-managed by both locals and the government. When you come to this temple, you’ll get impressed on how mazing the cliff sculpture is. There are five cliff-stone puras that has passed for decades, but still manage to impress their visitors. Pura Gunung Kawi is known as well as the archaeological site, that will make you fall in love even more with ancient Bali. Even though most of the Bali temple are Hindu temples, Pura Gunung Kawi has some caves where many Buddist monks use them for meditation. It’s quite interesting since those caves show how beautiful the harmony of the two religions is.
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Pura Luhur Lempuyang
Pura Luhur Lempuyang by @nina_rayos Let’s head to the Instagram worthy Bali temple, Pura Luhur Lempuyang. If you try to search on the Instagram about this pura, you’ll find bunches of artistic pictures taken in Pura Luhur Lempuyang. What makes this place so popular among tourists? This Bali temple has another name, The Temple in The Sky, that is kind of reflecting its location. The temple was built in the highland and has magnificent scenery of Mount Agung. Whenever the tourists want to come and take the great scenery here, they need to pass hundreds of stairs to reach the main gate of Pura Luhur Lempuyang. However, this effort is worth the scenery that you get at the venue. When the sky is pretty much clear, you can spot the great Mount Agung. Take some photos at the pura’s gate, with the background of the holy mountain in Bali.
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Pura Tirta Empul
There are dozens of Bali temples Ubud if you want a spiritual tour in the Land of Gods. However, your trip won’t be perfect if you miss Pura Tirta Empul. This Bali temple might be unpopular for first-time travelers, however, Pura Tirta Empul is quite famous among those who seek for cleansing and healing trip. The temple complex has a special area, where many visitors come to cleanse both their body and mind. Locals believe that the spring water in Pura Tirta Empul can help to sweep away the sins, as well as reduce mental issues.
Pura Tirta Empul by @marinabussandri Moreover, on some occasions (especially when Hindu ceremonies), there are lots of locals come to this Bali temple to cleanse their body before starting the ceremony. On the other days, you might find foreign tourists lining on the waterspouts to try cleansing their mind with the holy water. Moreover, please remember to wear a sarong, and talk politely here.
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Pura Taman Saraswati
Another Instagram worthy Bali temple beside Pura Luhur Lempuyang, is Pura Taman Saraswati. This pura might be the youngest pura among the lists since it was built recently at 1951. Even though Pura Taman Saraswati isn’t that “old”, the architecture is impressing enough for your picture background. This pura is reflecting the Goddess of art, knowledge, and music, Saraswati or Sarasvati. As taking the name of the Art Goddess, you can witness the temple complex is artistic and mesmerizing.
Pura Taman Saraswati by @wandererinvogue Before wandering inside the temple complex, you’ll get to walk across the stone bridge. However, the bridge isn’t just an ordinary one! Visitors will walk across the wide pond full of lotus! When the blooming season comes, the area will turn into a wide pink-green blanket, which is pretty enough for your photo background. Even though you’re coming to Pura Taman Saraswati out of the blooming season, the bridge area still makes an amazing impact on your photos.
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Pura Dalem Agung
Pura Dalem Agung by @evergreen.laguna If you have Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest on your Bali itinerary, don’t forget to get a brief visit to Pura Dalem Agung. This Bali temple isn’t far from Monkey Forest since the location is inside the woods. So, if you want to take a visit to Pura Dalem Agung, you don’t have a choice rather than visiting Ubud Monkey Forest as well. Moreover, this Bali temple is rather shady compared to any other temple, since there are lots of woods around. Similar to other temples, you should wear a sarong and manage your behavior while visiting Pura Dalem Agung. (Ty)
