Traveling to Bali, an island in Indonesia that is located at the extreme west of Lesser Sunda Island, between Java and Lombok. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Still many people do not know the uniqueness of Balinese culture, their relation to the spiritual relationship between human and God, and their environment. And it is the Balinese civilization what makes the island different from other destination. Bali is on e of more than 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. There are over 20,000 temples in Bali each one more beautiful than the other, because of the great number of wonderful Hindu temples there are in the Island. It says that Bali has more temples than houses. Oldest temples of Bali were constructed from 913 AD such as Pura Ulun Danu Batur, Pura Kehen, Gunungkawi, amongst other.
There are around 50 largest temples and only some of them are considered the most important of Bali and for traveling tourists, amongst them are:
Pura Tanah Lot:
The temple is suspended on a huge black volcanic rock in middle of the sea, which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide. The temple has only one tower and it is decorated by foliage spilling over the cliffs. It is home of a pilgrimage temple. It can walk to the temple only when the tide is low.
Pura Besakih:
It is the most important and holiest temple of Agama Hindu Dharma in Bali. It was originally dedicated to the god Gunung Agun (the mountain) since pre historical times. The templedates to the fourteenth century. It was built on the south slopes of Mount Agung, the principal volcano of Bali. The temple is actually a complex made up of twenty-two temples that sit on parallel ridges An important feature of the temple is the great number of Merus (wooden buildings with pagodas as roofs). Now this temple is considered the “Mother Temple” of Bali and is very respected by all Bali citizens.
Pura Kehen:
One of the oldest temples of Bali. The temple saves some ancient manuscripts made on bronze.This is the second largest temple of Bali. this temple has 8 terraces and it is built on the southern slope of the hill. Kehen means household or fireplace and symbolises the fire god, Brahmen who protects the temple. One of the most representative elements of the temple is old Banyan tree that is in the second courtyard.
Pura Ulun Danu Batur ( Goddess of lakes and rivers):
It is the second most important temple of Bali after Pura Besakih. built in 1926, The temple is situated in a beautiful location at the Batur Lake at the foot of the Gunung Batur Volcano. The original temple was built in the XI century; unfortunately it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1926. The villagers moved to the highest and oldest rim of the caldera where they rebuilt their village and the temple.
Pura Uluwatu:
Is one of the most ancient of Bali. The temple is constructed at the top of a cliff 90 meters over the sea. It was built in the 11th century. Therefore the countless and amazing temples of Bali are considered all together, one of the great man-made wonders.
Beside Bali’s wonderful Hindu temples, Bali is varied by landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces is known for its beautiful rice terraces. It is full also with temples, arts, dance, painting, leather and music and barren volcanic hillsides, towering volcanoes, verdant tropical forests full of monkeys, dramatic steep sided ravines, startling crater lakes, holy caves, fast-flowing rivers and paddy fields that seem to stretch on forever.
Is full of fun, enjoyment and is famous for its mysterious past. Was discovered by an international community of traveling surfers and hippies. The first sets of people to inhabit Bali were Austronesia’s in 200 B.C. These had initially migrated from Taiwan. The Bali culture had lots of influence of India i.e. the Hindus and Chinese culture.Most of the people here are Muslims and a minority of the population is Christian, Hindus and Buddhist. Bali is an “Ultimate Island”due to its wide variety of attractions, the physical beauty of the island, and the year-round pleasant climate which make Bali a place regarded by many traveling tourist.
