Temple Etiquette in Bali and Two Must Visit Temples in Nusa Penida
It’s almost impossible to plan a trip to Bali without being inundated by images of temples, statues, ceremonies, offerings and festivals. Once you’ve arrived on the Island of the Gods, you’ll find that it’s much the same here as it is portrayed in the guide books! Temples play an important part of everyday life – they are all over the island, from ancient to modern, there are small family temples in people’s houses, building have temples, businesses have temples and they are all cared for daily through offerings and blessings.
The world ‘temple’ in Balinese is ‘pura’ and the village temple is at the heart of life in the community. The ceremonies are colourful, the multitude of offering and scents of incense create a sensory overload, and best of all, the wonderful locals are incredibly welcoming to visitors.
If you are planning to go along to a ceremony while you are here, there are a few points of etiquette that you should observe when visiting a temple in Bali (inc. Lembongan and Penida). Please respect the local traditions on your visit!
Ladies should cover their shoulders – wear a scarf if you don’t have a suitable shirt or blouse.
Both men and women should wear a sarong (over your shorts is fine. Sarongs can be rented at some temples).
Wear modest clothing – being correctly covered up is most important.
Take off your shoes before entering a temple – you will usually see a pile of flipflops in the entrance, leave yours here too.
Don’t enter a temple when bleeding. You shouldn’t enter a temple if you have cut yourself or whilst menstruating.
Avoid pointing your feet toward the shrines.
When praying men should sit with their legs crosses while women kneel.
Pregnant ladies, or those who have given birth in the last 6 weeks are not allowed to enter.
Don’t stand higher than the priest. It is considered lack of respect to have your head higher than the head of the priest.
Remember that you are in a holy place and use common sense. Don’t get in the way of processions and ceremonies. Cameras are allowed but use common courtesy when taking photos.
If in doubt watch what everyone else does and try to follow along!
Temples on Nusa Penida
Pura Ped
If you are visiting Blue Corner Dive on Nusa Penida, a visit to Pura Ped is a must. Nusa Penida is an island of myth and legend and the main temple, Pura Ped, is the second most important temple in Bali!
According to legend, the last king of Bali, had become a wicked leader of the “other world”. He became known as Ratu Gede Mas Mecaling, the Great Lord with golden fangs.
Mecaling was feared as an evil wizard and exiled to Nusa Penida. He regularly sent diseases, epidemics and diseases to the Balinese people as revenge. The high priests of Bali came to Nusa Penida to clean the island of dark spirits and banish Mecaling but Pura Ped temple retains his spirit. This temple is therefore known as a source of power for those who practice black magic. There is a solemn rite that every Balinese Hindu must perform at least once in this lifetime - a pilgrimage to Pura Ped where he must find the balance between the negative and the positive – which is believed to be the only way to reach serenity.
Pura Goa Giri Putri
Don’t judge a book by its cover - or in this case: Don’t judge a cave from its entrance!
Goa Giri Putri Temple is probably one of the most unique temples in Bali. The temple is located underground, inside a gigantic cave.
Accessing the cave may be a little challenging and not recommended for those who struggle with confined spaces as there is a narrow 80 centimeter gap in the bedrock which serves as the entrance to the cave. However, if you can stand the squeeze through the entry and the immediate tight space, after just a few steps you can straighten up and you will find yourself inside a vast cavern. Walking through the cavern (which has a surprisingly well maintained walkway through it), you’ll reach additional chambers which are equally immense. It’s not surprising to hear that this cave temple can accommodate into the thousands of people that come for ceremonies.
Due to the size of the entrance, it is one way traffic only and when you reach the final cavern, there is a more civilized and less challenging walk out of the temple from the opposite end.
Please note, that although Pura Goa Giri Putri is not a ‘standard’ temple, the same code of etiquette (above) should be observed when visiting here.
Getting There…
The two temples mentioned in this Blog are easy to access from Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida, and from Nusa Lembongan it’s possible to take a small boat over to Nusa Penida – ask our friendly staff for information about how to arrange this!
Have you already booked your dives? If not, fill in our online contact form and we will get right back to you!
We look forward to diving Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida with you soon!