Top 15 Aesthetic Hindu Temple at Bali

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Bali is known for the Hinduism practice and many temples which contain many historical dan legend stories. Below is the list of 15 Hindu temple at Bali :

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Hinduism temples in Bali known as sacred heritages which still maintained until now. Even, Hindu people in Bali usually used temple for ritual religion as well as ceremonies. Below, we inform you 15 Hindu Temple which exits in Bali, as follows:

1. Batuan Temple

Batuan Temple, also referred as ‘Pura Puseh lan Pura Desa Adat Batuan’ locally is built around 11th century. This temple has been mentioned in many studies dated back 1000 years. This landmark is the symbol of the local village of the same name, Village of Batuan.

Batuan temple is well-known for its traditional Balinese arts and paintings, fruit and flower offerings, and often filled local artists and craftsmen displaying their latest work, from batik to framed paintings and statuettes. Which is also what attracts the tourists.

There is five-tiered in Batuan temple which is called candi bentar. This is the symbol of the mythical Hindu gods which are called The Trimurti, Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, as those three gods are the one worshipped by the local people.

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2. Besakih Temple

Besakih temple or also knows as Pura Besakih is the mother of all the temples in Bali. This temple was built dated back to 1000 years and sits at the holiest mountain of Mount Agung. Known to be the biggest and holiest temple in Bali, the Besakih temple is also known for the artistic and unique complex that comprises at least 86 temples inside the temple.This is the only temple in Bali which opens to every devotee from any caste groups. Besakih temple has three temples dedicated to the Hindu trinity.

Penataran Agung Temple which located in the center and has white banner is for Lord Shiva, Kiduling Kreteg Temple on the right side and has red banners is for Lord Brahma, and lastly, Batu Madeg Temple has black banners is for Lord Vishnu.

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3. Kehen Temple

There are not many historical texts which refer to the origin of Kehen Temple in east Bali, but many have dated this temple to the ancient time during the Hindu and Buddha kingdom rules in Bali. Kehen temple has unique architectural features.

The courtyard of the temple is reachable from up to 38 stairs, with carved sandstone mythical animal and Balinese folklore figure statues around the staircases. Kehen temple is also famous for local fruit plantations, palm sugar cottage, and scenic countryside.

As the temple was built during the ancient times when Hindu and Buddha ruled Bali and some other of Indonesia, many parts of the temples are surrounded and decorated from Chinese porcelain, which is the tribute to the historical relations between the local Bali kingdom and China.

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4. Lempuyang Temple

Lempuyang temple is also said to be the oldest temple in Bali and the most regarded one just like Besakih temple. It is also believed to predate the majority of any Hindu temples in Bali. Lempuyang temple which is also called Pura Lempuyang Luhur, the temple located at 1,175m above sea level, up on the peak of the Mount Lempuyang in East Bali and hence the name Lempuyang.

The temple has around 1,700 steps and it is believed that if one wants to reach the temple they should not complain while on their up otherwise, they will never succeed. The holy water from the priest can also sooth your mind, body, and soul.

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5. Beji Temple

This temple is dated back to the 15th Century, during the reign of Majapahit Kingdom in Java. It is said to be the most beautiful temple in North Bali. Beji temple or Pura Beji as it is called by the local is regarded as the central temple in the village of Sangsit. This temple is mainly revered by village farmers which is what makes it unique in entire Bali. It was built around a well as the representation of its name, Beji, which means purifications by holy water.

Beji Temple was built for goddess Sri, the goddess of fertility. The temples are surrounded by carvings which represent the fables and legends in Hindu mythology.

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6. Blanjong Temple
Blanjong Temple or Pura Blanjong was built by cenotaph of Sri Kesari Warmadewa, the direct descendant of Syailendra, the Buddhist ruler who built the Borobudur Temple. This temple is located in Sanur, a region in Bali which is famous for the beauty of its beaches.

Blanjong temple was where the historians found one of many inscriptions that explained the history of Indonesia, called the inscription of Blanjong. It is said that the temple was made from the wreckage of Dutch’s fishermen boat as Blanjong means the wreckage of ships in the local language.

Inside the temple, there is also the milestone of Sri Kesari Warmadewa which represent the glory he brought while ruling the kingdom in Bali.

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9. Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul Temple is the one of the oldest temple built by the Warmadewa Dynasty. It was built 960 AD. This temple serves the tale of the old kingdom of Bali and the tale of good versus evil. Just like the name, Tirta Empul, which means the holy water spring, there is a source of holy water located at this temple.

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11. Petitenget Temple

Petitenget temple is believed by the local Hindu people to be one of nine pillars known as Kayangan Jagat or the temples of nine wind eyes built in the 11th Century by Empu Kuturan. These nine eyes are (a Javanese Sage) who came to Bali bringing religious law and the formation of traditional villages. The nine eyes are also believed to protect the island from any outside threat.

Meanwhile, the building of this temple was because a holy man from the island Java came to Bali and left a box, which the local called to be the sacred box. In fear of what might open if they open the box, they built a temple around it.

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13. Taman Saraswati Temple

As the name suggested this temple was built for goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and art. This temple was filled with the pools and gardens of Lotus flowers as it is the favorite of the goddess of Saraswati. This pools and gardens are part of tourist activities, also with the regular performance of Kecak Dance, the traditional dance of Kecak.

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14. Sakenan Temple

Sakenan temple was built around 1005 by Mpu Kuturan or Mpu Rajakertha, making this temple has a significance to the Buddha. Due to the location in central Bali and near to the sea, this temple, too, has become part of tourist attraction. The religious belief of local people said that this temple is place for Sang Hyang Sandhijaya who is the guardian of sea due to the location of this temple

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Do’s and Don’ts

The balinese regard their culture highly, below are some of the do’s and don’ts you need to take extra caution before visiting any of this temples

Do’s

Remove any hats and shoes.
Wear moderate and decent clothes.
Wear sarung from down of your waist to cover your body.
Switch all mobile phones.
Respect the temple.

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Don’ts

Do not take selfies or any pictures inside the temple, it is a sacred place.
Do not touch any of the statues.
Do not point your fingers to anything or anyone.
Do not talk loudly.
Do not use any swear or bad languages.

Finally, those are all Hindu temple which exist in Bali since ancient times. Hopefully you can protect and keep the cleanliness in temples area thus its certified as precious heritages which Indonesia have.