Attraction
One moment you can be on a fantastic coastline and the next you can be visting one of the thousands upon thousands of temples.
Besakih Temple
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.
Goa Gajah Temple
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.
Pura Taman Ayun Temple
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.