Top Must-See Spots in Bali
PURA ULUN DANU BRATAN – Bedugul Highlands
The Temple were built in 1633 by the King of Mengwi and comprise several shrines, dedicated to Dewi Danu who is the Goddess of the Waters. The main Temple is a traditional Hindu thatched ‘meru’ on a small island in Lake Bratan. This is one of the main lakes to supply Bali with water for its’ ricefields so it is essential to life on the island. To make sure that there will be plentiful water, farmers make pilgramages here to take part in ceremonies. On the dge of the lake is Pura Teratai Bang (which means black lotus). It’s a meru with seven thatches that is dedicated to the God Brahma. There are also three-roofed and eleven-roofed tamples, beautiful gardens, a Buddhist shrine and a Mosque.
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UBUD
The center of Balinese painting, Ubud’s Museum “Purl Lukisan” has a permanent collection of modern works of Balinese art dating from the turn of the century. There are also several art galleries and homes of famous artists here, including that of Dutchborn Hans Snel and American Antonio Blanco. The “Young artist” style now popular in Balinese painting was introduced by the Dutch painter Arie Smith. In the past, other foreign painters inspired Balinese artists to adopt western techniques but traditional Balinese paintings are still made and sold another museum called “Neka Museum” has a wide collection of paintings both by Indonesian as well as foreign artists who used to live in Bali. Ubud has several small hotels. Located on a higher altitude with a pleasant climate.
TANAH LOT
One of Bali’s most important sea temples, the temple sanctuary at Tanah Lot is built atop a huge rock which is surrounded by the sea.
Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali from Java in the 16th century, its rituals include the paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruder.
The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.
KINTAMANI AND MOUNT BATUR
The mountainous area of Kintamani is breathtakingly beautiful and is one of the most popular places to visit in Bali. Mount Batur is a small but active Volcano with bubbling hot springs. It has erupted twenty four times since 1800. The last big eruption was in 1917 when thousands were killed and many temples destroyed. Other eruptions have forced people to re-locate and one of the main Bali temples, Pura Ulun Danu was moved too. It was originally inside the huge crater but is now on the top of the ridge overlooking it. Mount Batur is around 1,700 meters high and you can climb it in about two hours.
Next to the volcano is the wild and beautiful crescent-shaped Lake Batur, the largest lake in Bali.
PURA BESAKIH
Known as the “mother Temple of Bali, the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings. Around the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Wisnu, are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups.
To the Balinese, a visit to the temples sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary celebration or “Odalan”. The sight of the temple against the background of the mountain is impressive and during festivals, coloured banners add a touch of gaiety.
JATILUWIH RICE TERRACES
Jatiluwih is a favorite tourist destination in Bali famous with the beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side. It is one of places to visit in Bali with the beautiful view as according to its name from Jati and luwih, where Jati mean really and Luwih meaning especial, good, and beautiful or the equivalent. The local paddies are planted in this place look typically of the high relative size plant if it is compared with other pre-eminent paddy planted by most farmers in Bali . Despitefully, Jatiluwih also famous with its organic agriculture system due to the location is located in the in the plateau of Watukaru Mount which is suitable for the agriculture development.
KECAK DANCE AT ULUWATU TEMPLE
The temple is at the end of a cliff at Uluwatu, next to the Monkey Forest, so you can combine the two attractions for a good day out. Because of its’ situation, the temple is in the perfect position for amazing views.
Kecak first came to Western attention in the 1930’s. It is sometimes called the Ramayana Monkey Chant and is performed by a circle of more than 100 dancers, usually all men. Kecak derived from an exorcism dance which was supposed to induce a trance and you can see why because the repeated chanting of ‘cak’ is quite hypnotic. Kecak tells the story of a battle where Vanara joined forces with Prince Rama to fight Ravana – an evil King. The story and dance are explained in more detail in a leaflet which is available in several languages at Uluwatu. Shows start every day at 5 p.m. so if you would like to wait awhile, you will also get to see a stunning Balinese sunset to finish off your day.
MONKEY FOREST
If you are headed for Uluwatu, be sure to stop by at the Monkey Forest. It’s recommended that you enter the forest with a tour guide who will teach you how to behave with the monkeys so that they don’t become too unruly! The monkeys love peanuts which you can buy from a stall for around 30 cents. Be aware that the monkeys are likely to climb all over you and you need to stay calm and quiet to avoid alarming them. It’s also worth mentioning that the monkeys can scratch and bite in their excitement. For this reason, all monkeys are regularly injected against tetanus so although a bite would be uncomfortable it won’t give you health problems.
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KUTA
Once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward the Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort, popular mainly among the young. It is a popular beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Coast guards, however, are on constant duty during the day. Kuta faces toward the west offering beautiful sunsets.
Accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists, than anywhere else in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with other people, locals as well as visitors from abroad.
GOA LAWAH
Pura Goa Lawah is Balinese for Bat Cave Temple and you have to visit it – just so that you say you’ve been to the Bat Cave! It’s not in Gotham City but in on the coast of South East Bali, on the main road from Klungkung to Amlapura. People make offerings there every day and there are often religious processions.
The temple was founded in 1007 by Empu Kuturan who came from Java. It’s one of nine ‘directional’ temples which are said to protect the island from evil. Inside the temple is a natural open cave which is home to thousands of black fruit bats. You can hear them squeaking and smell the peculiar aroma of their guano (droppings). They are protected by the Government but locals believe that a giant snake called Naga Basuki lives in the cave, eats bats and protects the balance of the earth.
Because it is a sacred place, you will need to wear a sash and sarong to enter the temple but both are cheaply available to rent. Drinks and snacks are on sale outside and if you cross the road, there is a picnic area on the beach with stunning views of nearby islands.
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TIRTA EMPUL -The Temple of the Holy Spring
Bali is world famous for its’ beautiful, ornately carved temples and Tirta Empul (the Temple of the Holy Spring) is not only one of the most beautiful – its’ also one of the most sacred places in all of Bali. Tirta Empul means ‘water that comes from the earth naturally’ and the Temple has this name because of the spring which the temple is built around. The waters of the spring are believed to have healing powers and there are several areas for bathing which are filled with people during festivals or ceremonies.
Tirta Empul is over a thousand years old and is in Tampak Siring in Gianyar Regency. It is right next door to the President’s palace.
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