| It would be impossible to visit Bali and not see the | | | | their cycle, should not visit the temples. Never |
| temples. Mostly because they are everywhere! | | | | stand directly in front of the priest, or be at a |
| Bali has been called the land of a thousand | | | | level above the priest's head. No flash |
| temples, and it is an apt description. Temples large | | | | photography. Kneel when others kneel and in |
| and small are dot the Balinese landscape. In fact, | | | | general, try to blend in and do what others do. |
| there are tens of thousands of temples in Bali, | | | | Men may be asked to wear a sash. These can be |
| from the simple to the ornate, from the very | | | | rented, but if you are going to be visiting a lot of |
| large, to the very small. There are so many | | | | temples it might make sense to buy your own. |
| temples in Bali that the government doesn't even | | | | The one temple you shouldn't miss on your trip to |
| bother counting them. In Bali the word for temple | | | | Bali is Basakih. It is often called the Mother |
| is Pura. Both words are used here. | | | | Temple and is located high on Mount Agung. It is |
| In Balinese-Hinduism it is believed that the | | | | the most important temple in Bali. There are over |
| mountains are for the gods, the flat lands are for | | | | 22 structures, some dating back to the 14th |
| the people, and the sea is for the demons. (One | | | | century. Located here are shrines to Shiva, |
| of the reasons the ancient Balinese did not do | | | | Brahma, and Vishnu. |
| much ocean navigation!) It most villages you will | | | | One of the oldest temples in Bali is Pura Luhur |
| find temples for all three. The Pura Puseh is the | | | | Batu Karu. It is located 10 km west of Bedugul. It |
| most important temple, for honoring and | | | | overlooks a lake which has a temple to the |
| worshiping the gods, the Pura Desa will be for the | | | | goddess of Lake Tamblingan. |
| people. This temple is for the spirits that bless and | | | | If you like bats you'll love Goa Lawah Temple. A |
| protect the people. The third type of temple, Pura | | | | sacred site for Brahma, the temple is located in a |
| Dalem, is used to appease the demons and to | | | | cave filled with bats. It is said the caves may go |
| ask for protection from the spirits. | | | | all the way to Basakih. If bats are not your style |
| The best time to visit a temple is during it's | | | | you might prefer the Sangeh Monkey Sanctuary. |
| festival day. This only happens once per year for | | | | Watch your belongings as you visit this temple |
| each temple, however, there are so many | | | | surrounded by tall nutmeg trees. The monkeys |
| temples that it should not be difficult to find a | | | | are sneaky thieves! They particularly like glasses |
| temple festival. When visiting the temples it is | | | | and keys. |
| important to show respect. Women should not | | | | So during your visit to Bali, make sure to enjoy |
| wear shorts or have bare shoulders. There is a | | | | the architecture, the sculpture, the festivities, and |
| prohibition against blood on sacred ground, so | | | | the sacredness of the Balinese temples. |
| anyone who is bleeding, including women during | | | | |