About:
Dr.
Bharatkumar Bhate is M.S. General Surgeon (Gold Medalist) by qualification with
an experience of 30,000+ operations and is based at Rajkot, Gujarat. He is an
avid reader and a passionate writer. In this blog, he shares his travel
experiences and creative writings.
Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrBhateRajkot
🌴 Blog 04 of 12 | Temples in Bali –
Where Faith Meets Landscape
By Dr.
Bharatkumar Bhate
Visited in August 2024
This is the fourth blog in my 12-part Bali travel series, based on my visit to this enchanting island in August 2024.
Island of
a Thousand Temples
Bali is
often referred to as "Pulau Dewata" — the Island of Gods — and
after visiting its sacred places, I understood why it is called so. The island
is home to a staggering and astonishing number of over 1,000 Hindu temples
or PURAS, and religious devotion is intricately woven into daily life. Even
every natural element — mountains, rivers, trees — is believed to be a dwelling
place of divine spirit.
About 87%
population of Bali being Hindu, daily worship has been a part of local life for
thousands of years and this can be seen in thousands of Hindu temples (called PURA
locally) that dot the island. Bali is rightly recognised as ISLAND OF
TEMPLES. It seems that it is mandatory to have a family temple at home and a
village temple. Every village also has three temples, each dedicated to the
Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (Mahesh). No visit to Bali would be complete
without a pilgrimage to these ancient spiritual sites, some dating back more
than 1000 years.
Each temple
felt like a living entity — not just a monument. The sculptures, offerings, and
daily prayers gave life to stone and space. As someone from a profession rooted
in science and structure, I found myself equally drawn to the unseen energy
these places radiated. The temples of Bali are not about grandeur. They are
about grace, balance, and quiet devotion — much like the people who
maintain them.
One of the
most striking aspects of Balinese temples is their sheer abundance and
diversity. It is said that there is a temple for every facet of life and every
aspect of the cosmos. From grand state temples (pura desa) that serve
entire communities to modest family shrines (pura keluarga) found in
every home, and from temples dedicated to agricultural prosperity (pura
subak) to those honouring the elements of nature (pura segara for
the sea, pura tirta for water), the island is a tapestry of sacred
spaces.
Every
well-known historic temple has lush landscape and dramatic coastline. These are
not just ancient monuments but are vibrant living centres of devotion that
offer a profound glimpse into island’s unique Hindu culture. Balinese Hinduism
has its own distinct character — quieter, more symbolic, and closely tied to
nature. Balinese Hinduism is known as Agama Hindu Dharma. Galungan is the most
important festival for Balinese Hindus. It marks an occasion to honour the
creator of the universe and the spirits of ancestors. The festival symbolizes
the victory of good (dharma) over evil (adharma), and encourages the Balinese
to show their gratitude to the creator and the saints from their ancestry. All
temples, small or big, are decorated with flowers during this festival. We were
lucky to witness this festival. These events are a feast for the senses,
featuring traditional music (gamelan), elaborate dance performances (such as
Legong and Barong), and a profusion of meticulously crafted offerings (canang
sari and banten) made from palm leaves, flowers, and food.
Architecturally, Balinese temples exhibit a distinctive style characterized by
tiered roofs, elaborate stone carvings, and intricate gateways. The typical
temple compound is divided into three courtyards, each with increasing levels
of sanctity.
1) NISTA MANDALA (JABA PISAN): the outer zone, which directly connects
the pura compound with the outer realm and the entrance to the temple. This
zone usually takes the form of an open field or a garden that can be used for
religious dance performances. CANDI BENTAR is the split gate used in the Nista
mandala for entry.
2) MADYA MANDALA (JABA TENGAH): the middle zone of the temple, where the
activity of adherents takes place, and the location for supporting facilities
of the temple including the temple's kitchen.
3) UTAMA MANDALA (JERO): the holiest and the most sacred zone within the
pura. This enclosed compound, and typically the highest. KORI AGUNG gate is
employed as the gate between the madya mandala and Utama mandala. This remains
closed except during worship. So, tourists visiting after worship time cannot
see the God inside the temple.
The
architecture of temple has liberal use of volcanic stones, wood and bamboo. The
carving shows intricate of mythical creatures, floral motifs and scenes from
Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharat.
However,
with a vast array of popular temples that are spread around the island, it can
be difficult to know which temples are worth slotting into the itinerary. During
our weeklong trip, we visited three of the most iconic and spiritually resonant
temples in Bali out of ten listed below. Each of them left a different
impression — not just architecturally, but emotionally and atmospherically.
Following
ten beautiful temples of Bali are feasts to the eyes!
1) Pura Tanah Lot
2) Pura Lahur Uluwatu
3) Saraswati temple
4) Goa Lawah Temple
5) Lempuyang temple
6) Tirta Empul
7) Pura Gunung Kawi
8) Taman Ayun Temple
9) Pura Alun Danu Bratan
10) Besakih Temple
These most
iconic temples are most visited attractions, drawing millions of tourists
annually.
Types of
Pura in Bali depend on the type of God or the elements of nature is worshipped
in that particular place e.g. Pura Tirtha (Water temple), Pura Segara (Sea God
temple) etc.
Every tour operator has Temple of Tanah Lot included in the tour and we too visited
it after water sports. We visited other two temples namely Pura Alun Danu
Bratan and Pura Lahur Uluwatu by ourselves in free time.
When to
Visit: Beat the Heat & the Crowds
Bali's dry
season (April to October) is generally considered the best time to visit,
offering sunny days and lower humidity. However, this is also peak tourist
season.
- Early Mornings: For a truly serene experience
and to beat the crowds, aim for a sunrise visit, especially to popular
spots like Lempuyang Temple (the "Gate of Heaven") or Besakih
Temple. The soft morning light also makes for incredible photos!
- Late Afternoons/Sunset: Temples like Tanah Lot and
Uluwatu are absolutely magical at sunset, though they do get very crowded.
Arrive an hour or two before sunset to secure a good spot.
- Midday: While it can be hot, midday can
be a good time for more tranquil visits to temples with plenty of shade,
like Taman Ayun.
A Note on
Temple Etiquette
Visitors to
Balinese temples are expected to follow simple but important customs:
- Sarong and sash are mandatory (available at
entrances)
- Remove your shoes and sandals at properly assigned place.
- Avoid visiting during
menstruation (a
traditional belief)
- Speak softly and avoid pointing feet toward
shrines
- Do not climb onto sacred
platforms for photos
The respect
shown by both locals and tourists was heartening, and unlike some overly
commercial temple sites elsewhere, most of Bali’s temples maintain their sanctity
and serenity.
My final
remark: It is an opportunity to connect with
a deeply spiritual culture, witness vibrant traditions, and be awed by the
beauty that arises when faith and nature intertwine. The temples of Bali are
much more than architectural marvels; they are living testaments to a deeply
spiritual culture. Each temple felt like a living entity — not just a monument.
The sculptures, offerings, and daily prayers gave life to stone and space. As
someone from a profession rooted in science and structure, I found myself
equally drawn to the unseen energy these places radiated. The temples of
Bali are not about grandeur. They are about grace, balance, and quiet
devotion — much like the people who maintain them.
I take a
break here. I will give more details of three temples visited by us in next 3 blogs.
Stay
tuned for Blog 05 – Tanah Lot Temple!
Until then,
Dr. Bharatkumar Bhate