Exploring the Monkey Forest Sanctuary

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.