The beautiful island of Bali was not only offering a wide range of beaches to relax and enjoy the sun, but also a unique cultural experience when visiting some of the many Hindu temples. Known as the island of thousand temples, Bali was actually believed to have as many as 20,000 temples in total. While a lot of the smaller temples could be found in the backyards of private houses, the bigger ones were publicly accessible and spread out over the entire island.
Set at the coastline, on the slopes of volcanoes, in lakes or local villages, Bali’s beautiful temples represented a unique twist on Hindu culture. Having arrived from India in the 15th century, Hinduism had only survived on Bali while creating an interesting blend with local spirit believes. The result was open, courtyard like places of worship with towers, pavilions, split gates and enclosure walls that could not be found anywhere else in the world. Different physical appearances of each individual temple, colorful decorations, ceremonies and offerings were truly making each temple visit of Bali an unforgettable experience.
Physical Appearance of Bali’s Temples
Volcanic Stone Temples
Volcanic Sawtooth Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur on Bali
Volcanic Temple with intricate Detail at the north Shore of Bali
Volcanic Stone Carved Temple of Pura Maduwe Karang
It seemed that the most used material was a grey volcanic stone, shaped in all kinds of different forms to build monolithic temples like the UNESCO enlisted Supreme Water Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur with its sawtooth style central tower. Other temples were taken to an extreme level of detail with seemingly infinite ornamentations or free-standing statues as seen at the beautifully carved temple of Pura Maduwe Karang.
Red Brick Temples
Red Brick Temple with a high Level of Volcanic Stone Details
Red Brick Temple with simple Plated Ornamentations on Bali
Very simple Red Brick Temple without Details on Bali
The red brick temples on Bali appeared to be less elaborate and representative due to the cheaper choice of material. As a result, the level of detail was varying greatly, from added high level carvings to simple stone veneer plates that were cut and set in place. A very rare appearance was a very simple red brick temple without added details around the area of Tabanan.
Temples with Straw Roofs
Private Black Stone and Straw Roof Temples in Legian on Bali
Wood and Tiered Straw Roof Temples of Pura Luhur Batukaru
Tall Tiered Straw Roofs of Mother Temple Pura Besakih on Bali
Straw roof pavilions could be found as Black stone Temples in private backyards of Legian, or as tiered versions of temple Pura Luhur Batukaru, which was set in the forest and at the lopes of volcano Gunung Batukaru. The extensive Mother Temple of Pura Besakih came with a lot of massive and tall tiered straw roofs, while the Lake Temple Pura Ulun Danu Bratan from the cover photo convinced rather with its elegant beauty. It’s interesting to note that tiered roofs always come in uneven numbers of roof extensions.
Split Stone Entrance Gates
Split Stone Entrance of Forest Temple Pura Luhur Batukaru on Bali
Different Split Stone Entrance Gates of various Temples on Bali
While the temples on Bali came in such a broad range of different styles, materials, functions and layouts, all of these structures still seemed to have one thing in common: split stone entrance gates. These split stone gates were unique to Bali and seemed to be precisely sliced little temples that had been pulled apart to give access to visitors.
Balinese Temples in actual Use
Colorful Decorations
Colorfully decorated Split Stone Entrance Gate and Temple on Bali
Colorful Temple Decoration with Flags in Red and Yellow
Temple Decoration with Red, Yellow and White Umbrellas on Bali
Most Temples on Bali appeared as pure stone, brick or wood structures, but others were richly decorated with colorful fabric, flags and umbrellas. These decorations seemed to have been used during different ceremonies and offerings.
Ceremonies and Offerings
Religious Ceremony at Balinese Temple with Colorful Umbrellas
Dressed up Locals, Dancing, playing Music and carrying Offerings on Bali
Ceremonial Temple Offerings, Demons and whole Pig’s Head
Normal, small Offerings found at every Temple on Bali
Basic Flower Offering found Daily, everywhere on Bali
Watching the ceremonies and seeing the colorful offerings was definitely one of the highlights when visiting Balinese temples. The traditional dresses, typical gong music and atmospheric decorations seemed very unique to Bali’s culture and should not be missed when visiting the island. While the bigger Offerings were arranged for the ceremonies, smaller flower offerings were put together daily by seemingly every single local person of Bali.
Temple Locations on Bali
Pura Uluwatu Temple on Top of the Cliffs in the very South of Bali
Pura Tanah Lot Rock Temple located off the Shore of Bali
While most temples were set inland on Bali, some were built in very atmospheric locations at the coast of the island. Probably the most famous shore temples were Pura Uluwatu on Bukit Peninsula at the very southern tip of Bali and the rock temple of Pura Tanah Lot on the western coast. But whatever the location, material, decoration, ceremony, or offering, all the temples on Bali seemed to be well worth a visit. After all, every temple was unique and providing a welcome contrast to the many beautiful Beaches of Bali.
Would you enjoy visiting different temples and attending ceremonies on Bali as well?
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Find more Information about Bali here
Bali, Volcanoes and colorful Beaches
Volcanic Influences
Big Volcanoes of Bali
Differently colored Beaches
Black and White Sand Locations
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Exploring Bali’s Landscapes by Scooter
Driving Conditions on Bali
Crater Rim drive by Munduk
Big Crater ride by Gunung Batur
Winding Coastal Road by Amed
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9 Days of Driving around Bali Island
General tips for driving on Bali.
Individual days of riding by Scooter.
Street maps for all sections of the ride.
Summarized driving conditions with diary links.
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There are so many variations to the temples in Bali. I really like the ones made with straw – they look almost like pagodas. The Volcanic rock ones are really unique too. I’ve never seen temples like that. That last temple – Pura Tanah Lot – looks gorgeous! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler again. See ya next week
Adelina | PackMeTo recently posted…The Other Palaces of Vienna: The Hofburg and The Belvedere
Thanks a lot Adelina! I agree, Pura Tanah Lot really is a beautiful temple. Unfortunately it is often overrun by tourists and so the more remote temples in the forest or the villages, are much easier to enjoy. But you are right, those small pagodas with their tiered straw roofs were probably the most iconic temples of Bali…
Ah that sucks. I can see why tourists would flock to it though. It’s so pretty set against the water. I guess that means more for you to enjoy at the remote temples
Adelina | PackMeTo recently posted…A Ride Around the Ringstrasse, Vienna
Yeah, Pura Tanah Lot is not only set in a pretty location, but also quite close to all the tourist areas. On top of that it also very well frequented by locals, making it a great place to visit and move on. There are some other smaller temples around as well and it’s obviously nice to just sit in the area and enjoy the views of the sea…
Oh my – I don’t know much about Bali, but I always just pictured tropical island with beaches, etc. I had no idea there were so many amazing, breathtaking temples there! These are incredible!!!! Fantastic photos!!
Lauren recently posted…Caribbean Cruise – Sea Day Aboard the Emerald Princess (Day 10)
Thank you so much Lauren! It’s great to hear that you like these beautiful temples as well, as they are adding quite another fascinating layer to the otherwise famous beach destination. Bali really is a surprisingly rich cultural destination and I totally recommend visiting when you get a chance…
We have a trip planned to Bali this August so of course I loved this post. I especially liked you sharing about the different materials used to build the temples. I found the red brick to be some of my favorite, we’ll see what I think when I see them in person. I’m getting excited!
Daidri | Thee Getaway Gal recently posted…Fort Funston Sand Dunes in Northern California
Daidri, it’s great to hear that you are going to Bali! I am sure you will have an amazing time exploring some of the countless temples on your own. The brick ones look great in contrast with the stone I think, but once you see all the delicate carvings of the grey volcanic stones, you will probably fall in love with them as well. Many good reasons to get excited…
Beautiful photographs– I have never been to Bali but have always wanted to go. One day I hope. Thank you for the photographic tour.
Elena recently posted…Seven Steps to Plan a Surprise Getaway for your Husband
Sure Elena, thank you for stopping by and joining the visual tour! Bali is for many reasons well worth a visit, especially once you start exploring the island beyond the tourist areas. Definitely go and visit when you get the chance…
Beautiful and Fantastic photos!
Thank you very much, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the photos of the Balinese temples!
Beautiful temples with a twist. Very unique. I love the ones with thatched roofs. And for sure, the Pura Tanah Lot Rock Temple. Are there any other differences between Hindu in Bali and elsewhere? Any special worships, or unique ceremonies?
frankaboutcroatia recently posted…Wineries in Istria worth a visit
Thanks a lot Frank, I am glad to hear that you like these temples as well! Unfortunately I am not an expert on Hinduism, but visiting the temples of Bali certainly had a very different feel than it had in India. This did not only surface architecturally, as the temples looked differently and the worshiping happened outside in a courtyard rather than inside a big temple building, but also in the way how religion was practiced. Since Hinduism on Bali was mixed with animistic beliefs, it was quite interesting to see how you found your typical Hindu gods next to some dragon like monster creatures. Also the little flower offerings were quite unique to Bali, as was the fact that some temples were dedicated to the volcanoes, some to the lakes and other to the sea. So in many ways, the visit on Bali was a very special experience…
Wow, forget about going to Bali and relaxing on some golden sandy beach I feel like I need to pack my bags and head off on a spiritual retreat. These images are amazing. I have always been hooked on Hinduism as a religion and, whilst not religious myself, find that I am drawn to areas around the world where certain religions have a strong following. Maybe it is the amazing architecture that draws me in or their warmth and hospitality.
Tam @ TravellingBookJunkie recently posted…H is for… Haifa, Israel
Thanks so much Tam! The great thing about Bali is that you can have it all, sandy beaches, active volcanoes, friendly local, great food and beautiful temples. It’s probably the combination of it all that draws you in…
The temples in Bali are diverse and you really captured that in your photo essay. I recently was in Bali and I was able to visit quite a few temples but you’ve certainly introduced me to a few new ones.
Samuel Jeffery recently posted…VIDEO: 48 hours in Singapore
Thank you very much Samuel! It’s great to hear that you liked the little Balinese temple collection and it’s even better that you had the chance to visit some of them yourself. Knowing Hindu temples from India, I was really surprised how different these temples looked and how diverse they were. Literally every temple seemed unique and since there are said to be thousands of them on the island, there should be plenty of reasons for us to go back and explore even more…
Your post makes me miss Bali! Maybe I should visit it again soon! I have been to Pura Tanah Lot but not Pura Uluwatu. Nice photos! : )
foongpc recently posted…The Steel Rod Sculptures Of George Town, Penang
Thank you very much, I am glad to hear that you liked my post. The temples on Bali were really something special and if you get the chance to go back, I would definitely recommend to visit a view more of them…
Great article Dennis. We love Bali and loved taking our family holidays there before we packed up and set off across the world. So many tourists miss so much of Bali, which is a real sham, of course that leaves the great areas less crowded for the rest of us that bother to see beyond the bars and nightclubs.
Cheers James
James Long recently posted…Why Write a Travel Blog
Thanks a lot James. You are definitely right, on the one hand it’s a shame that most people miss out on the real cultural experience of Bali and rather stay at the beach in front of the hotel, but on the other it’s great because it gives the rest of Bali this really pristine and untouched feeling. Getting lost on the roads, meeting all the friendly locals and visiting almost every temple along the road was definitely a really great experience…
Wow, 20,000 temples is a lot of temples! Fantastic pictures though Dennis, you’ve shown that there is such an amazing variety. I wonder how many different architects were involved in designing them all!
The Guy recently posted…The Northern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive
That is a very good question and I really wonder if there are any guidelines for the temples on Bali or if everyone just builds whatever they like. It almost seems that there must be some sort of consensus, but I really wouldn’t know how it would look like. By the way, the 20.000 is a number I have only heard, but realizing that every single house has a small temple in the backyard or garden and there are a lot public ones as well, it’s easy to believe that there are actually more temples on Bali than houses…
I wanna go to the rock temple – wow! Great photos and variations on temples! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler! See you next week
Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy recently posted…I is for Intrepid : The Kind of Traveler I Aspire to Be #AtoZChallenge
Thank you very much Ashley! You are right, the rock temple definitely looked great and considering that there are a lot of other temples to see, beaches to visit, great food to eat and friendly locals to meet, there are actually many reasons to go to Bali right now…
I always imagined beaches when I think of Bali which I’m not mistaken but didn’t think of temples! I love exploring temples, I think they’re gorgeous and your pictures certainly show that Bali has a good handful of beautiful ones. Guess I’m wrong, there’s more to Bali than just beaches!
Samantha @mytanfeet recently posted…When She Travels Without You
You are right Samantha, the temples of Bali really are gorgeous! Everyone always comes to Bali for the beaches, myself included, but then there is a whole other dimension of cultural experience when you dare to explore the rest of the island. If you really love to explore temples, you should definitely make Bali a destination on your travels and after all, there are nice beaches as well. By the way, please have a look at my post about the many colorful Beaches of Bali if you like to see more of this fascinating island…
I thought Bali was the most extraordinary place. I couldn’t get over the wealth of spirituality that abounds on this island. I loved it. We didn’t go for the beaches but to visit a friend who lives there and we discovered a world filled with beauty.
Carol aka Traveller recently posted…weekly photo challenge: on top
That sounds really great Carol! You are right, Bali certainly is an extraordinary place, filled with with beauty and spirituality that go well beyond what meets the eye on a first glance. And I can only imagine that it must be an even better experience when you have someone local to show you around…
I loved Bali so much! Definitely one of the best islands for temple hopping in Asia. Volcanic Stone Temples was extremely magical and charming. Wish I could return there soon.
Agness recently posted…Have You Ever Heard Of The Indemann?
Same here Agness, I absolutely loved Bali and I would go back in a minute! The temples were really something special and I never has seen something like it before. The fact that they came in such great numbers and this wide range of appearances, made them even more attractive in my eyes. And catching one of the colorful ceremonies in the temples was simply magical…
Going to Bali for the first time later this year so really hope to see some of these during my visit – I don’t know how to start choosing which to see – they all look stunning in their own different ways!
Shikha (whywasteannualleave) recently posted…The Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, London
It’s great to hear that you are going to visit Bali as well, Shikha! I am sure you will see lot’s of temples, they are literally everywhere. Which ones to chose is a good question, but maybe you just start with some temples close to the area where you are staying and if you like them, you simply venture further and explore more…
It’s great articles Dennis.
As a Balinese, I am so happy that you wrote all the things about Bali.
Keep writing Dennis, I appreciate it very much.
Kind regards,
Gede.
Bali is simply amazing for the amount of temples AND the detail that was put into making them. The most culturally beautiful place I’ve ever seen by far!
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