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Bali Sightseeing |
One moment you can be on a fantastic coastline and the next you can be visting one of the thousands upon thousands of temples.
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The tallest mountain in Bali at 3,142 meters above sea level, the active volcano Gunung Agung is said to be the 'home' of the Balinese gods. Religiously, the Balinese Hindus orient themselves towards Gunung Agung as the center of their spiritual world. Gunung Agung, accordingly, is also home to the 'mother temple' of Bali, Besakih. In 1963, the volcano's last eruption killed more than a thousand people and destroyed several villages. Hiking trips to the summit are now popular with athletic tourists, who are rewarded with some of Bali's most spectacular views. Every Balinese Hindu must visit Besakih three times a year.
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Literally means Elephant cave, and it is a "T" shaped cave. This was an ancient monastery of Hindu and Buddhist monks who used to meditate in the cave. It is believed that the cave was built in the early 11th century. Its face is elaborately carved, depicting a demon head splitting open the rock with its bare hand at the mouth of the cave.
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About 43 kilometers east of Denpasar, Goa Lawah is one of the most sacred temples in Bali. Built in the 11th century, this temple occupies a natural cave that is inhabited by thousands upon thousands of chirping bats.
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These pavilions, built in the 18th century, are located at the main road intersection side of the town of Klungkung, 40 kilometers northeast of Denpasar. They are especially known for their ceiling murals, painted in the traditional "Wayang" style, depicting punishments in hell for miscreants, and higher up on the ceilings you will find the rewards in heaven for those that have led a good and honest life.
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Taman Ayun, means beautiful garden, located in the village of Mengwi, 18km west of Denpasar, is indeed one of Bali's most picturesque temples. The King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Anom, built is stately proportioned courtyards and large surrounding moat in the year 1634. Containing both the Royal family ancestral shrines and the strayed MERU shrines to the major deities, Taman Ayun became the main temple for the ancient Kingdom of Mengwi.
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Carved out of the landscape by tides, wind and rain, the huge offshore sentinel rock of Tanah Lot supports a small picturesque sea temple which can be reached by a scramble over the wet rocks. These are reputed to be several large caves just below the water line, at the base of the rock, which shelter large sea snakes, who are the guardians of the temple.
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