Address: Jl Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar
The statue of the Goddess Sri holding up rice, as she offers her blessing to the world, assuring fertility, welcomes visitors to the Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, along with Durga, the Mother of the Universe, riding a lion. We’re in Ubud, in the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where Balinese monkeys with their long tails make their home. However, this animal, with its rich mythological role, is also a cardinal element in the foundation narrative of Balinese culture, inspiration as well for dances like the Kecak and the Ramayana dance. In the sanctuary, it’s possible to encounter over a thousand monkeys as you stroll among almost 200 species of plants and trees, all comforted by the forest’s soothing embrace. Host to three Hindu temples - the Temple of Dalem Agung, that of Beji and the Temple of Prajapati - part of the area is considered sacred and is only accessible to those who wish to pray and are wearing the ap-propriate Balinese prayer clothes. Focused on the philosophy of ATri Hita Karana - the “three roads to physical and spiritual well-being” - the Monkey Forest Sanctuary offers guests an unforgettable experience bathed in peace and harmony.
One of six principal religious sites on the island, Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a temple from the X Century built overlooking the sea with a breathtaking view.
Ancient Legends on the Seaside - the Temple of Rambut Siwi
Legend states that in the XVI Century, Dang Hyang Nirartha stopped at this large temple on the coast which began to crumble as the priest prayed. Nirartha then rebuilt the temple with a lock of hair planted in the earth by the caretaker
In the plush flood valley of Tampaksiring, surrounded by rice fields, Candi Gunung Kawi is an archeological site sculpted into the rock, considered one of the island’s most beautiful places.
Vihara Darma Giri is a Buddhist temple built on three levels amidst the rice paddies surrounding the village Pupuan. It houses a giant white plaster statue of Buddha sleeping.