Sacred places in Bali

Ubud is a town located on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It is one of Bali's unique centers of art and culture. Not as bustling and noisy as other towns in Bali, Ubud possesses the gentle beauty of a peaceful countryside. One place you absolutely must visit in Ubud is The Sacred Monkey Forest.

This monkey forest is a very sacred Hindu worship site. Everything here holds a special meaning, from the temples and trees to the monkeys that live in the forest. It is a very useful research center for those who want to learn more about monkeys and the 115 different types of trees. It is also known as Padangtegal Monkey Forest because it belongs to the village of Padangtegal.

The Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Here, you can see firsthand the daily lives, diets, and health habits of many species of monkeys in this forest.

As you venture deeper into the village, you'll encounter Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal – a site exclusively for funeral ceremonies held there. The monuments are covered in moss, the statues nestled under dense foliage, and very little sunlight reaches them. This creates a small, ancient, and mysterious atmosphere, attracting curious visitors eager to explore and discover.

Monkey Forest is also famous for its lush green pathways and tranquil parks, where you can spend some time in peace, quiet, and immerse yourself in this sacred space.

Ubud, or Ubud Monkey Forest, is arguably one of the rare places in Bali where you can get close to nature and experience moments of tranquility, a stark contrast to the crowded and hectic Bali outside.

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm daily.

Entrance fee: 75,000 rp ~ 135,000 VND.

About 5 km east of The Sacred Monkey Forest is Goa Gajah Gianyar, also known locally as the Elephant Cave.

This place possesses an ancient charm due to its age. Initially, the temple was intended to be a convenient place for meditation. Therefore, its architecture is a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism.

The gate leading to the temple is exquisitely carved, with many extremely intricate details. Looking at it, you will feel admiration for the skill and meticulousness of the artisans.

The entrance, resembling a demonic head with bulging eyes and a long, slender mouth, is a key feature commonly found in Indonesian temple architecture. The gate's fearsome appearance is attributed to Bhoma, the deity representing nature.

According to spiritual beliefs, when passing through the "mouth of the devil," all evil spirits, deceit, and malice from humans will be driven away, and visitors will be purified. Additionally, you will see images of elephant tusks carved on the entrance, which serve as the fangs of the devil's head. That is why this cave is called Elephant Cave.

Inside this area is the most striking representation of Hindu religious ornamentation, with its intricate symbolism. The cave is designed in a T-shape, with a narrow entrance and two side branches. The cave walls are dark black, with numerous bumps and depressions on the surface, and the floor has many indentations, a testament to the meditation time of the priests.

Here, visitors can see the Lingam, a symbol of the god Shiva, and the stone statue of the elephant god Ganesha, important deities in the local people's beliefs. At the base of each statue, people usually display square, handmade flower baskets offered to the gods; these are often brightly colored and very eye-catching.

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm daily.

Entrance fee: 50,000 rp ~ 85,000 VND.

About the author:Thinh, a writer specializing in geopolitics and culture, currently lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City. Thinh is a visual storyteller with a journalistic style. His stories are personal reflections and experiences from his travels.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

A Story by Thinh