With over five million visitors each year, the island of Bali is a privileged destination for travelers. While they contribute to the development of the famous Indonésian island, the latter is not immune to the pitfalls of mass tourism. Disregard for rules and disrespect for traditions have recently prompted authorities to crack down on undisciplined tourists. Here's what you need to know…

Undisciplined tourists in the spotlight:

Nicknamed the Island of the Gods, Bali captivates visitors with, among other things, its countless temples and Hindu culture that offer a spectacle rich in colors. While the influx of tourists is beneficial for the island's economic development, the phenomenon is not without consequences for the preservation of local traditions. From tourists strolling around in bikinis to those climbing onto sacred temple spaces to take selfies, Balinese residents are concerned about the surge in such thoughtless and disrespectful behavior. But what really sparked outrage among locals last September was a photo of a Danish tourist in the sacred temple of Puhur Luhur Batukaru. He was sitting on a throne, which is reserved for the most important deity in local Hinduism. The result? The photo went viral and offended many Balinese people, prompting authorities to act. Given strict blasphemy laws, the Indonésian Hindu Religious Council announced it had tasked the police with investigating and finding the tourist responsible for this affront. But that's not all! The photo prompted authorities to consider stricter laws against tourists. In other words, this incident was, in a sense, the straw that broke the camel's back.

Authorities in #Bali reportedly pledge to do more to regulate tourists' behaviour amid yet another instance of disrespectful behaviour - this time apparently by a Danish national - at Puhur Lutur Batukaru temple in Tabanan.https://t.co/xdbGGHigkR pic.twitter.com/6AGSYHADaA

— WH Dispatches (@WH_Dispatches) September 18, 2018

Bali's Vice Governor, Tjokorda Oka Artha Sukawati, declared in a regional council meeting: "this is the government's attempt to preserve the Pura temples." and he added: "Temples must be preserved because they are the spirit of Bali's cultures and customs." Beyond dress codes (namely, covering the chest, stomach, and thighs), the government is reconsidering visits to sacred temples by unaccompanied tourists.

The proper conduct to adopt

In the meantime, here are the things to do and not do if you wish to visit Bali's sacred temples:

• Do not enter the so-called "main" temples without permission unless you are invited by a local and dressed appropriately for the occasion.
• Dress properly! Since legs are considered the impure part of the body in Hindu culture, they must be covered with a sarong. And to respect tradition as it should be, don't forget the selendang, a prayer shawl to tie around your waist. In any case, Bali's most visited temples generally lend sarongs and selengangs at the entrance.
• Never touch a Balinese person's head. Balinese people consider this part of the body sacred because it holds the soul.
• Never position yourself higher than a priest during a ceremony.
• Do not walk in front of worshippers while they are praying, to avoid disturbing them.
• Pregnant women, those who are menstruating, or those who have just given birth must not enter a temple as they are considered impure in the Hindu religion.

To avoid any missteps, the best approach is to visit Bali's temples with a guide. Not only will you deepen your knowledge, but you'll also understand the importance of respecting all the religious traditions that have made Bali's reputation…

Florine Dergelet