Bali’s Undiscovered Temples and Hidden Beauties – # 1 – Masceti Temple in Bali (Pura Luhur Masceti Bali) – Lord Vishnu’s regular Temple

Masceti Temple (Pura Masceti), is located on the northern shore of Masceti Beach, Medahan Village, Blahbatuh Subdistrict, Keramas, Gianyar. The trip to Pura Masceti from the famous Kuta area takes about a 1 ½ hours.
Masceti Temple was one of Lord Vishnu’s regular worship destinations, (In Balinese religion Vishnu is described as the maintainer of the Universe). Once, Vishnu was in a relationship with Lakhsmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity (material and spiritual), fortune and the embodiment of beauty. Both spent a lot of time together at Masceti Beach as they liked this area very much, they went to enjoy the scenery but also to have discussions. Usually they were able to find a common ground for all of their debates except for the last one. Vishnu and Lakhsmi started to argue heavily as they had different opinions and this finally caused their separation. After this, Lakhsmi divided the Beach into two partials which are nowadays called Mescati Beach and Saba Beach. Up to the present day, the Balinese believe that the love between couples, who visit Mescati Beach together, will not last forever.
To be perfectly honest, Masceti Temple is not a very exciting temple and apart from some nicely carved stone figurines and the main entrance of the temple facing a wide stretch of pristine beach, it does not have a lot more to offer. Although Mescati Beach (Pantai Masceti) is a very spiritual place and plenty of purification ceremonies are held in this area. Any tourist activity, such as sun bathing or water sport activities, on Masceti Beach are not tolerated and strictly prohibited. The area is one of the most peaceful areas in Bali, the complete opposite of Kuta and reflects Bali’s real face. If spiritual tourism is being craved, then this is one of the places in Bali that shouldn’t be missed!
Tip 1: Don’t visit the temple whilst in a relationship as the love will not last forever (the rumor).
Bali’s Undiscovered Temples and Hidden Beauties – # 2 – Elephant Cave Temple in Bali (Pura Goa Gajah Bali) – A cave Temple made by Hindu priests

Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave (near the Elephant River) is located west of Bedulu countryside, Blah Batuh Sub-district in Gianyar Regency, 15 minutes outside Ubud, about 27km from Denpasar or 1 ½ hour’s drive from Kuta.
Legends tell us that the Elephant Cave was built in the 9th century and even the first mention of Goa Gajah was in the Javanese poem Desawarnana, which was written in 1365. The natural cave forms a tunnel like entry to the main area where the offerings are usually placed.
At Goa Gajah, plenty of fantastic stone carvings as well as some Koi Ponds can be seen and without a doubt, the guides hanging out in front of the entrance, which can be hired for a small fee (max 5 USD) have very interesting stories to tell such as the leading theory that suggests that Goa Gajah was used as a hermitage or sanctuary by Hindu priests who dug the cave entirely by hand.
Goa Gajah is still a place of active worship and the chance to see some of the mystical Balinese ceremonies might be available.
Tip 1: Pura Goa Gajah is not suitable for elderly people or people with arthritis or bad knees as everyone has to manage plenty of stairs and the walk through the jungle is quite challenging.
Bali’s Undiscovered Temples and Hidden Beauties – # 3 – Alas Kedaton Temple in Bali (Pura Alas Kedaton Bali) – A Temple that provides lots of wildlife as well

Ubud’s Monkey Forest is a great location for sure, but for those who can’t find the time to go to Ubud and have planned to go to Tanah Lot anyway, or stay in Canggu, Seminyak or Kuta, Nusa Dua or Jimbaran, Alas Kedaton also creates the possibility to see wild monkeys. With a total forest size of about 11.5ha, located in between Tabanan’s rice fields, this green area offers the perfect environment for lots of bats and more than 20 grove plants.
Bali’s Undiscovered Temples and Hidden Beauties – # 4 – Jagatnatha Temple Bali (Pura Jagatnatha Bali) – The biggest Temple in Bali’s busiest city

Jagatnatha Temple, located in the center of Bali’s capital ‘Denpasar City’, about 45 minutes’ drive from Kuta, east of Puputan Badung Square Garden, and is the biggest temple in Bali’s busiest city.
Due to the strategically perfect location, Pura Jagatnatha is still a very busy temple. Especially during Bali’s most important holidays such as Galungan and Kuningan but also during full moon, both, family members and young Balinese students are praying together at this temple. Jagatnatha Temple is categorized as Kahyangan Temple and become an altar to the god for Hindu people.
The difference between Jagatnatha Temple and other temples is that the maintenance is not done by Pengemong (a group of local villagers or organized teams), the support comes in this case from worshipers, praying regularly at Pura Jagatnatha and volunteers.
Due to the plenty of ceremonies and activities at Jagatnatha Temple, it has become over the last years a very popular attraction and is visited by thousands of tourists all over the year.
Bali’s Undiscovered Temples and Hidden Beauties – # 5 – Kebo Edan Temple in Bali (Pura Kebo Edan Bali) – The ancient Temple of Kebo Edan

Kebo Edan Temple Bali (Pura Kebo Edan) is located in the West Gianyar Regency in Pejeng Village, near the famous Penataran Sasih Temple and already has attracted numerous travellers as well as foreign archaeologists.
Kebo Edan is thought to have been built in the 13th century after Kertanegara conquered the Kingdom of Bali in 1282 AD.
Many historical artefacts of pre Hinduism remain hidden at the ancient temple of Kebo Edan, which translates to “Crazy Buffalo”. This refers to the animals which guard the cave – two buffalo carvings.
It formerly functioned as a place of worship for the Bhairawa sect, the remains of which are still housed in the temple. The most spectacular is a huge sculpture of Bhairawa, symbolizing the God of death, and Shiva, who is shown to be dancing.
Bali’s Undiscovered Temples and Hidden Beauties – # 6 – Samuan Tiga Temple in Bali (Pura Samuan Tiga Bali) – An interesting Temple offering unique architecture

Pura Samuan Tiga, an exceptionally unique temple situated in the village of Bedulu, 25km from Denpasar, 5km from Ubud (between Ubud and Tampaksiring), and only 400m from the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) sanctuary.
Built in the 10th century in the reign of King Chandrasangka Warmadewa (a Balinese King who ruled in the 10th century), this sacred temple was the royal temple of the ancient Warmadewa dynasty.
The Balinese believe that Pura Samuan Tiga is a venue for the great meeting of the gods, deities, and saints.
Pura Samuan Tiga offers unique architecture and a stunning view, it’s flanked by two rivers the Pande and Tegending on the east side and the remains of an ancient pool on the west side, with sacred Banyan, Pule and Curiga trees growing around the site. The temple has seven courtyards separated by walls and split gates, but it’s connected by stairs that lead up to the innermost courtyard, which is believed to be the meeting hall of three holy spirits.
Additional Information 1: The Name Samuan Tiga is derived from the two Balinese words tiga, which means three and samuan which means meetings.
Bali’s Undiscovered Temples and Hidden Beauties – # 7 – Rambut Siwi Temple Bali (Pura Rambut Siwi Bali) – A Temple with sublime ocean views

Rambut Siwi Temple (Pura Rambut Siwi) is located in the Regency of Jembrana, in the north-western part of Bali, close to Negara, between Yeh Embang and Yeh Sumbu Village in Mendoyo district. The one-way trip from Kuta takes about 2.5 hours.
Pura Rambut Siwi dates back to the 16th century and it also looks like Dangh Hyang Nirartha, (also see Uluwatu Temple and Goa Lawah) had influenced the name and the final construction of this temple. Legends say, when he arrived from East Java, Nirartha also visited Rambut Siwi Temple. The entrance guard forced the priest to pray at Pura Rambut Siwi to avoid tiger attacks. Nirartha followed his orders and did his meditation (yoga samadi). A short while after Nirartha’s ceremony, a building inside the temple collapsed. Shocked and confused the guard asked for Nirartha’s forgiveness and begged for help to rebuild the temple. The Holy priest agreed and after the work was done, he untied his hair pulled it, and gave some locks to the guard. He finally asked the guard to store his hair in the holy building (Pelinggih) to bless every pilgrim.
Rambut Siwi Temple, one of the biggest temples in Bali, is an amazing complex with stunning ocean views. It is surrounded by several other temples (Pesanggrahan Temple – located on the side of Denpasar-Gilimanuk road, Taman Temple – located in the east of the entrance to Rambut Siwi Temple, Penataran Temple – located east of Rambut Siwi, Goa Tirta Temple, Melanting Temple, Gading Wani Temple and Ratu Gede Dalem Ped Temple).
The people are very friendly, the guides are a fountain of knowledge and the prices are very reasonable. This temple complex deserves everybody’s attention and is well worth the 2.5 hour drive.