3 Holiest Places of Bali You Must Visit

Bali is known as the Island of Gods and the people of Bali are extremely religious. Wearing colorful clothes, offering prayers and paying respects at the sacred sites or attending religious ceremonies, it’s all part of the daily lives of the locals. Balinese religion is a fusion of Hindu and Buddhism with bright and colorful celebrations taking place in temples. Traditional dances and music is a unique way of Balinese people to give respect to their gods.

Bali has so much to offer when it comes to exploring its temples during festive seasons, it is one of the best experiences you can have. Colorful costumes, loud music, and massive celebrations break out on entire villages, even tourists may feel they are a part of it. Feel the true essence of Balinese culture and visit some of the most famous and unique temples.

Tanah Lot (Tabanan, West Bali)

The most famous temple on the entire island is Tanah Lot. The major reason for its popularity is its unique location extending out from the island into the ocean and it’s close to the main areas where visitors stay. You can take a taxi from Kuta and reach there in 45 minutes. Tanah Lot is often crowded on any given day due to its popularity. The temple becomes majorly festive on the holy day of Kuningan and on the celebration of temple’s anniversary. Reserve a Bali villa which is nearby the sacred temples so you can easily visit.

Uluwatu Temple (Uluwatu, Jimbaran)

Surrounded by the best beaches in Bali, Jimbaran, Uluwatu Temple is located on a southwest cliff top, offering some stunning views of the ocean and the sunset. It is a fantastic location to take pictures of historic Balinese structures against the deep blue ocean. What make this temple unique are the extraordinary Balinese architectures, traditionally designed gateways, and a number of historic sculptures adding to its beauty. Enjoy the daily performance of Ramayana ballet (Kecak dance) during the sunset hours. Every sixth month according to the Balinese calendar, Uluwatu temple held a celebration of its anniversary.

Besakih Temple (Karangasem, East Bali)

Besakih is known as the ‘Mother Temple of Bali’, it consists of different temples and multiples shrines. It is located on the southwest slopes of Mount Agung and sits at an altitude of nearly 1,000m above sea level. It will take an entire day if you want to explore it all, there are a minimum of 86 temples in this grand structure. This place offers breathtaking views of the island, rice paddy terraces, hills, upscale mountains, and water streams. Besakih Temple provides an utter peaceful environment during sunset and sunrise due to its high location. Each year there are more than 70 festivals and ceremonies are held at Besakih Temple.

During the festive season, the tourist spots get a little crowded. To relax yourself, you can turn to some of the most beautiful Villas in Bali or spend a day on its numerous mesmerizing beaches.