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Why the temples
and ceremonies
of Bali are special
 Religion runs deep in Bali. About 95% of the
Balinese practice Hindu-Dharmaism, a local variant of
India's Hinduism. The faithful interweave their
religion into their daily lives.
Bali
is nicknamed The Island of the Gods because it has
over 10,000 temples dedicated to an array of
spirits. To the Balinese, every living thing --
from a lowly weed to a human being -- has a spirit.
The
Balinese believe that there are both good and evil spirits -- and that this eternal duality exists in balance.
Each
year the Balinese hold countless temple ceremonies
and make frequent offerings to please the good
spirits and appease the evil ones. The
fascinating upbeat aura of these ceremonies is
unsurpassed anywhere in the world.
The most
tourist-
frequented temples
in Bali
Click the green "Quick Locator Map" button to see their locations.
 Tanah
Lot -- Famous for its tiny, quaint
island setting (reachable during low tide). Bursts
with tourists during its vaunted sunset.
Besakih
-- Bali's largest and holiest temple is Pura Besakih (see
photo). It's popularly known as the "Mother Temple".
Ulu
Watu -- Dramatically perched on high promontory overlooking the breaking surf.
Ulu
Danu -- Photogenic. On Lake Bratan.
Temple
ceremonies
of Bali
No trip to Bali is fulfilled without observing a
festive temple ceremony.
Because there are
so many temples in Bali with different ceremony schedules,
there should be at least one event taking
place on any given day during your visit.
Some
ceremonies are grander and more festive than
others. Some have traditional dances and music.
Consult your concierge or the local government
tourist office for the latest schedules and
recommendations when you arrive in Bali.
Ask them
to brief you on temple etiquette (for instance,
you as a visitor should don a sarong and leave a small monetary gift for the upkeep of the temple).
Temple
processions
of Bali
A major adjunct of the temple ceremony is the
procession of traditionally attired women walking
single file down a country road to the temple.
Each gracefully balances on her head a tall
colorful tower of neatly arranged fruits, flowers
and other offerings (see photo).
Daily
offerings
in Bali
The Balinese also make offerings to the good and
evil spirits on a daily basis with tiny tray
baskets (called bantens) made of woven coconut
palm fronds.
Each contains simple gifts such as flowers
and rice.
You'll see plethora of
these baskets. They are
placed nearly anywhere including on altars and, to
enhance and protect a business's prosperity, on
the sidewalk near a shop's doorway.
I've even seen
a banten parked on a computer as the operator
entered data into a spreadsheet.
Click these buttons to
learn why the top ten Bali
attractions are popular
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