Ceremonies Create Connection

Balinese Hindus observe the state laws of Indonesia and also the complex traditional guidelines (adat or Desa Pekraman) which govern cultural and religious life according to the Desa (place), Kala (time), Patra (condition).

Balineses are competitive as anyone around schooling, business and career. However in cultural and religious activities, Balinese are highly cooperative. Few cultural or religious activities can be carried out alone.

Men, women and communities work together to create the colorful ceremonies of family, temple and public life.

A family ceremony-such as blessing a new house - new baby or marriage – will involve extended family and immediate neighbors. The whole village or neighboring villages cooperate in the more elaborate temple ceremonies – perhaps providing Pesantian (Balinese choir), Gamelan (gong orchestra) or ceremonial dancers.

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How UBUD Came to be

According to lontar (traditional palm leaf book), in the 8th century there was an east Indian priest named Rsi Markandeya, set off on a spiritual journey, walking across the island of Java to spread the teachings of Hinduism.

Eventually, he and his large group of followers reached the island of Bali and attempted to settle in the vicinity of Taro (a village at north of Ubud). Unluckily, they were struck down by a cholera epidemic and many perished. Rsi Markandeya led the surviving devotees back to Java, where they regrouped and after a while made their way to Bali again, although this time their number was somewhat diminished.

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Tanah Lot Temple Gallery Photo

Tanah Lot Marine Temple is located in coastal side of Beraban countryside, Kediri sub district and Tabanan Regency, about 30 Km in west side of Denpasar town, 11 km in south side of Tabanan town.

Pura Tanah Lot is built on the rock with 3 acre size and reachable in a few minute by walk, because it is just 20 meters from the coastal lip. This temple is very famous among tourist destinations in Bali with spectacular view of sunset.

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Alas Kedaton Gallery Photo

A small forest with the width about 6-7 ha located in the middle of the rice field in Tabanan regency, called Alas Kedaton monkey forest, with a temple that owns the natural environments that is looked green with its fresh air and create the calm, quite and holy atmosphere

The monkeys in Alas Kedaton are very tame and free gallivanting in temple yard, so that the calm atmosphere is sometime solved by noise voice of the monkey, which are playing around and scrambling of food.

Beside monkeys, in Alas Kedaton forest also can be met the bats and some other animals. At least 24 types of grove plant have been identified in Alas Kedaton.

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Taman Ayun Temple Gallery Photo

Taman Ayun Temple is located at Mengwi, about 18 km north side from Denpasar City. As a Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire, Taman Ayun is one of recommended place to visit when you come to Bali.

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Tirtagangga Royal Pool at Karangasem

Situated at Ababi Village, 83 kms from Denpasar. Built in 1948 by the King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. This water garden was constructed in a very unique architecture of Balinese and Chinese styles.

Tirtagangga Water Garden scratches on a 1,2 Hectare area, which consists of three complexes. The first complex lies on the lowest level of this area, where we can find two ponds and a water tower. The second complex in the middle level is the location where we can find swimming pools; while in the third part, which is the main complex, we can find the rest house of the King.

Before the construction of the water garden, there was a big spring water in this area. Therefore people surrounding the area called this place embukan which means spring water. They believe that this wellspring functioning as a bath place for the God and also used as drinking water for the local community from the nearest village. Therefore this wellspring is sacrificed by local people and keeps the park naturally. The King of Karangasem has got an idea to improve this park into a good looking and nowadays, it becomes one of the famous tourist destinations in east part of Bali.

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Besakih Temple Gallery Photo

Besakih Temple or what in Balinese called Pura Besakih is the most important temple in Bali as the Mother Temple. Sits on the western slop of Mount Agung, the most holy place for Balinese Hindues.

Besakih temple’s history dates back to megalithic times, with the most ancient section Pura Batu Madeg (temple of the Standing Stone) built around a central rock. Balinese people believe the founder of Besakih to be Sri Markandeya, a Javanese priest who was in Bali around the 10th Century AD.

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Taman Ujung Soekasada at Karangasem

Located at Tumbu Village, 85 kms from Denpasar, about 5 km from Amlapura, capital of Karangasem Regency.

Ujung Water Palace, which by the local people is called as Taman Ujung Soekasada, was built in 1919. However, the launching of this complex of water palace was performed in 1912.

The water palace was constructed by the late King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, that reigned in Karangasem between 1909 and 1945.

Ujung Water Palace was majestically built to welcome and to serve important guests and Kings from neighboring countries, besides for the pleasure of the King and his royal family.

Tourism activity in this area is supported by the available of food stalls, small restaurants and quite large parking area. Visitors who are interested in local crafts product can find some of them in art shops available here.

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Villa Leha Leha Sanur

If you choose Sanur to stay in Bali, Villa Leha-Leha is much recommended for your privacy. The name 'Leha-Leha' came from the Javanese word for peace, day-dreaming, relaxing, or being empty-minded while lying prostrate and gazing at the sky! It's an appropriate title for this enchanting four bedroom retreat, complete with swimming pool and plunge pools, nestled on the edge of a steep sided valley through which Bali's sacred Ayung River wends it way on the final stage of its journey to the sea.

ROOMS. Villa Leha Leha features a variety of accommodations spaces for your comfort. The villa includes four en suite bedrooms, two open air living areas (one upstairs, one down), an air conditioned study and a dining area. In this section of the site you can learn more about each of these areas. The facilities section of this site has more information about the pool area, garden and kitchen.

A fifth bedroom (without en-suite bathroom), furnished with up to four extra single beds, is ideal for children.

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Garuda Wisnu Kencana

It will be a biggest and a highest monument in Bali. The building will be standing 150 meters tall with its wings span 64 meters across.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Monument is designed and build by Nyoman Nuarta - one of Indonesia’s foremost modern sculptor - made from more than 4000 tons of copper and brass.

The statue is picturing Lord Wisnu, as the source of wisdom, riding on the back of the mythical bird Garuda as the manifestation of conscience toward Amerta, the perennial goodness.

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Kintamani Gallery Photo

Kintamani is one of Bali famous image with a nice view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. Surrounded by the captivating nature and there are six ancient villages around cauldron of Lake Batur which is often conceived by 'Bali Aga' Village. The local people from these Bali Aga villages own the unique cultures, houses and life style.

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Indonesia 65 Anniversary

Happy Anniversary... Indonesia!
We're proud to be Indonesian!

Make a wish for this country here...

Why FISHERMEN Can Never Become Rich

Once upon a time, in the village of Kelaan, right on the southern peninsula of Bali, there lived a simple man by the name of Kamanjaya. Nature had endowed him generously with wide, well built shoulders and a good, strong chest. He sported a luxurious moustache and his seemingly fierce eyes reflected a brave and courageous soul. Kaman Jaya was the first fisherman ever on the island of Bali.

One day, Kaman Jaya received an invitation from the God Siwa, who, it was said, wished to bestow a blessing on his life. Similar invitations were also extended to all other early men and creatures on the surface of the earth.

Kamanjaya, a man of little means, but of pure heart, felt worried and anxious at the invitation of the god. "When I meet with Siwa in his heavenly chambers, what gift can I bring him that will be good enough to serve as a token of thanks for the blessing I no doubt am going to get in return?

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Ubud Market Gallery Photo

Ubud is regarded as a central of art in Bali

Ubud Market is a center of art market. The art crafting are sold in this art market consisted of various crafting, from traditional until contemporary crafting which its price is relatively cheap. You can do the transaction directly to the merchant which generally can be bargained. All the crafting sold in this place you can bring home as souvenir like slipper, wood idol, bag, clothes, matting, painting and a lot of more.

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Bali Museum

Located on Major Wisnu Street just in the heart of Denpasar. In the north side there are glorious temple of Jagatnatha, meanwhile in front of it the Puputan Badung (Badung Courtyard) and four face statue (Catur Muka Statue) are located.

The development of Bali Museum is begun by the existence of initiative how to vitally the heritage of Balinese culture and taking care of, preserve and maintaining. The initiative is based on the existence of feeling to worry, that there is symptom a kind of culture erosion, so that the cultural heritage become totally disappeared, lose, what omit only photograph and documentations.

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Pasar Kumbasari the Traditional Market

On Jalan Gajah Mada, Denpasar there are Badung and Kumbasari Markets. Both these markets have become significant for Denpasar dwellers, as they are categorized into a complete market. Diverse goods are on sale here, ranging from daily needs, fabrics, food up to ceremonial ingredients for Hindu's. There are also inexpensive handicraft products that are on offer at Kumbasari Market. But, be sure to enter the right market as Kumbasari Market is adjacent to Badung Market; they are just separated by the river. Kumbasari Market is located on the west side and Badung on the other.

Formerly, Kumbasari Market was named Pasar Priuk, which especially sold kucit (suckling pig). In 1977, this market was restructured with four-floors with each floor selling different goods.

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