Bali, the Island Paradise –it’s Temples

Published at February 5th, 2011 in category photography workshop, Travel, travelwriting

Bali is home to at least 10,000 temples and shrines. The inner sanctums are closed to visitors but you can enter the courtyards and view the incredible structures.

: Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

The eleven-tiered “meru” of the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple sits on the edge of Lake Bratan. “Meru” is named after the sacred mountain, Mount Meru in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology and is considered to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. It is also the home of Lord Brahma and the Devas (Demi-Gods). Inside the inner courtyards are various shrines and large pools or lakes for ritual baths.

Shrine

This gateway distinctly forbade my entrance.

Many natives have replicas of these temples in their homes.

I have a passion for visiting Temples and other religious structures in any country I visit and Bali did not disappoint.

The Pura Tirta Empul is distictive for its split gateway. Tourists can enter and look around the courtyard at the twin shrines inside. .

“Tirta Empul” refers to the crystal clear stream used for religious ceremonies.
Peeping through the gateway to the inner sanctum where a ceremony is taking place.

Gateway to the inner sanctum

This next Temple: The Pura Samuan Tiga has an interesting history and stunning architecture. it is set between two rivers and the remains of an ancient pool is still on the grounds. This was the royal temple of a Balinese King in the 10th century.

Samuan Tiga means “three meetings”… the meeting of Gods, deities and saints.

Pura Samuan Tiga

There’s a fantastic offer for you to see these and other Balinese shrines for yourself. AWAI’s Travel and Photography Group (The Right Way to Travel) has arranged a trip to Bali complete with travel writing and photography workshops taught by accomplished Travel writers and Photographers. These photos above don’t begin to capture the scenes you will experience and photograph yourselves. I took these long before I attended one of those photo bootcamps and am almost embarrassed to show these.
The trip is in March and lucky you– two spots just opened up! So– contact Lori at: www.thetravelwriterslife.com/follow
Contact her NOW!

..and if you go– come back here and share YOUR photos and experiences with us.
These two guides will help you decide where else to go:

For your Kindle:Experience Bali: A travel guide (2011)

OR:Bali and Lombok (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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