| Balinese temples |
Pura Taman Ayun (Temple of the floating garden) in Mengwi
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Around 93% of Balinese people are Hindus, which makes it the only majority Hindu population beyond the Indian sub-continent and the only Hindu province in the mainly Muslim Indonesian archipelago.
There are around 20,000 temples (puras) and shrines on the island, and each village has at least three (Pura Puseh, Pura Desa and Pura Dalem).
Most temples are open to visitors, often for a small entrance fee, and at many you are required to wear a sarong. These can often be hired outside the temple, however it is more economical to buy a sarong from a market on your arrival in Bali, especially if you intend to visit several temples.
Mengwi, Central Bali photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Pura Taman Ayun (Temple of the floating garden) in Mengwi
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Pura Taman Ayun was built in 1634 by Prince I Gusti Agung Anon Putra-Raja when Mengwi was the capital of an influential princedom. It is the second largest temple complex on Bali, surrounded by a large well-kept park planted with fruit trees and flowers. The inner sanctum may only be entered by believers. Visitors, however, can still get a good view over the low perimeter wall of the ten meru, four of which have 11 storeys.
Mengwi, Central Bali photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Ulan Danau water temple of the sea goddess Dewi Danu
on the west bank of Lake Bratan.
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The goddess Dewi Danu is the patron of the rice farmers who take water blessed by the priests to pour on their rice fields in pious hope of a good harvest.
Ulan Danau, Lake Bratan, near Bedugul, Central Bali photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Going to the temple |
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On the way to the temple
A worshipper carries her sacrifice of fruit to the temple.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Worshippers lay their sacrifices of fruit on the temple altar.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Temple musicians
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Crafts around the temple |
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Sarcophagus maker's workshop
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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A stonemason puts the finishing touches to a
sculpture of the elephant-headed-god Ganesh.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Ganesh's stomach gets some special attention.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Peter Hinze admires the work of Balinese stonemasons.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese dance: Barong dance |
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| There are over 200 types of dance in Bali, of which around 60 are still performed. |
Barong dance
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The Barong dance relates the story of the mythological Balinese spirit king hero Barong. Accompanied by the lion spirit protector Banas Pati Rajah, he combats the evil magic of Rangda. This dance drama, now mostly performed for tourists, was once performed as part of the Calonarang dance procession through Bali's streets.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Barong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Barong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese dance: Kecak dance
(monkey dance) |
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Kecak dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Kecak dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Kecak dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Kecak dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese dance: Legong dance
(maiden's dance) |
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Legong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Legong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Legong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Legong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Legong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Legong dance
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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A Balinese house |
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Balinese house
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese house
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese house
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Scenes of daily life in Bali |
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Balinese street market
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese artist paints a traditional scene.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese painting of a harvest (detail).
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese fisherman pulls in his net.
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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Balinese animal life |
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Balinese bat
Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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A blue and gold macaw (also known as blue and yellow macaw,
yellow-breasted macaw, blue macaw) in Taman Burung Bali Bird Park.
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This parrot species is common throughout the forests of South America (including Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay) although it is endangered in Trinidad and Panama.
Further information about the blue and gold macaw:
Parrot Encyclopedia - Species Profile
Bali Bird Park website: www.bali-bird-park.com
Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
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A male wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus, also known as
the bar-pouched wreathed hornbill) in Taman Burung Bali Bird Park.
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Closely related to the plain-pouched hornbill, these large forest birds, 75–100 cm (30–40 inches) long are widespread across Asia, from Bhutan and India to southeast Asia and the Greater Sundas. This chap is from Borneo.
The Bali Bird Park has examples of almost every species of hornbill as part of an enormous collection of around 1000 birds of 250 different species from all over the world, including some of the rarest and most exotic. As well as providing a fascinating spectacle for tourists, the park also runs breeding, research and educational programmes aimed at preserving endangered bird species.
Bali Bird Park website: www.bali-bird-park.com
Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, Bali, Indonesia photo: © Peter Hinze |
