Loading 5 Must See Temples in Bali for First Timers
If you are a first-time visitor to Bali, you may feel totally overwhelmed with the cultural shock as well as many choices of what you can do there. This applies particularly if you have a tight schedule, so that deciding about which tourist attractions to go to can be frustrating. Obviously you can always go to Kuta Beach to enjoy the sunset or just go shopping, but since Bali has more than a thousand temples, why not visit some of them? So if you are a first timer, following are 5 temples in Bali you shouldn’t miss.
1. Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple, which is also called the Mother Temple, is in fact the most significant and holiest temple in Bali. It is located on the southern slope of the most sacred mount for Balinese Hindus, which is Mount Agung. The temple itself can be reached from Kuta in approximately 2 hours drive.
2. Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is approximately 20 km from the city of Denpasar. It is actually one of the 7 sea temples along the Balinese coast, and is located on a great offshore rock that has been shaped by the crashing ocean waves over the years. The temple is said to be built in the 15th century by a Javanese priest by the name of Danghyang Nirartha and has been a part of mythology in Bali for centuries. The Balinese believe that there are poisonous snakes guarding it from evil spirits as well as intruders.
3. Taman Ayun Temple
It was established in 1634 by I Gusti Agung Anom, a king who founded the Mengwi Kingdom. Shrines or merus and a moat with lotuses are surrounding this peaceful temple. To honor Bali’s 3 most sacred mountains, 3 important merus are built with a 9 tiered meru to represent Mt. Batur, and an 11 roofed meru to represent Mt. Agung and Mt. Batakaru.
4. Goa Lawah Temple
Goa Lawah, which means “bat cave” is a well-known tourist attraction in Bali. It was established by Empu Kuteran in 1007, and is also a place of spiritual significance to the Balinese. This small temple is one of the 9 directional temples said to protect Bali against evil spirits. The cave itself has thousands of fruit bats. If you want to go to Goa Lawah Temple, you can reach it approximately 49 km from Denpasar, and you can go there during ceremonies.
5. Ulun Danau Bratan Temple
Ulun Danau Bratan Temple is probably the most pictorial temple in Bali. This Hindu-Buddhist temple is located on the shore of Lake Bratan, and is dedicated to the Water Goddess. You can find a nearby botanical garden, Lila Graha, which you shouldn’t miss. The Ulun Danau Bratan temple is one of the 9 directional temples in Bali, along with Goa Lawah Temple. It was built by I Gusti Agung Anom in 1633 who also built Taman Ayun Temple later on. The eye-catching parts of the temple are the 11 tiered meru which is dedicated to Vishnu and a 3 tiered meru which is dedicated to Shiva. The main temple, Pura Teratai Bang, has a 7 tiered meru dedicated to Brahma.
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