Fascinated by Balinese culture? We completely understand! The thing is, with the influx of tourists, sacred sites sometimes lose their authenticity. Fortunately, the Island of the Gods is hardly lacking in temples—there are no fewer than 10,000 of them! To venture off the beaten path and experience Bali differently, we invite you to discover 4 sacred sites shrouded in mystery and little-known to tourists…

Pura Goa Lawah

    

Located in the village of Pesinggahan and carved into the base of Mount Bukit Tengah, the Goa Lawah temple is a sacred stronghold of Balinese Hinduism. It is indeed one of Bali's nine directional temples and ranks among the most revered places of worship on the island. Dating back over 1,000 years, Balinese devotees continue to celebrate numerous traditional ceremonies there today. Literally translated as "bat cave," the temple owes its name to its proximity to a cave that is home to thousands of bats. Another distinctive feature of this temple: it offers panoramic views over the Indian Ocean and the neighboring island of Nusa Penida.

Yeh Pulu

   

Though not technically a temple but rather an archaeological site, Yeh Pulu remains a sacred place in the eyes of the Balinese. Open to the public only from the 1920s onward, it features carvings etched directly into the rock face along a 25-meter-long wall. Sculpted in the 14th century, the figures are believed to depict scenes from the daily lives of Balinese people of that era. That said, this site remains shrouded in mystery, as research conducted there has not led archaeologists to unanimous conclusions. In any case, a visit to Yeh Pulu offers the chance to stroll through an enchanting landscape of rivers and rice terraces…

Pura Pancering Jagat

   

Located in the unique village of Trunyan stands one of Bali's oldest temples: Pura Pancering Jagat. An ancient village of the Bali Aga (descendants of Bali's first inhabitants), the villagers take great pride in preserving their traditions. It is precisely these rituals that make this temple distinctive. While the rest of the island buries or cremates their deceased, the villagers of Trunyan have the custom of laying their dead at the foot of the temple beneath a tree called the banyan. This results in a macabre collection of human skulls and bones scattered about! Pura Pancering Jagat is also renowned for its Berutuk ritual, a purification ceremony for certain adolescents of the village…

Pura Ponjok Batu

Here is a temple that leaves no one indifferent. Located at Sembiran, on a rocky outcrop between land and sea, the Ponjok Batu temple overlooks the beach. Built entirely of black stone, it contains a grand pavilion as well as two platforms. It was created in honor of Danghyrang Nirartha, the Javanese priest who reformed Balinese religion in the 16th century. Indeed, legend has it that this priest saved the lives of shipwrecked sailors while meditating facing the sea. Moved by this miracle, witnesses decided to build a temple in his honor. Today, many Balinese devotees come to leave offerings and have their vehicles blessed.

Florine Dergelet