The journey to the island of Bali is done once, but experience remains for life. Bali is the absolute definition of an exotic island, but it is also one of the most religious places of earth. Bali is your dream come true. Once in Bali, you will be captivated by the local culture. Dances and festivals are almost commonplace. And kitchen facilities are for everyone and events – a variety of unsuspected. You’ll be surrounded by extensive rice grassland, contrasting its high active volcanoes and inaccessible jungles. Temples and pagoda will accompany you in every corner of the island and the beaches will offer extreme sports and underwater caves curious. If you want to shop, visit Ubud – the most famous handicraft center of Bali where you can buy everything. If you’re thirsty for nightlife visit the Kuta tourist center. Everywhere in Bali waiting for you entertainment and sentiment. And every minute you something unique happens. Because Indonesia is exotic indestructible of human civilization and create a real sense of tropical paradise. Bali is part of a large group of Indonesian islands Leser Sundiata and lies just 3 km east of Java. Located close to the equator in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Its highest point is Mount Agung active volcanoes (3142 m) in the eastern part of the island.
The landscape of Bali is a mix of mountains, valleys and coral reefs. Mountain chain ‘Gunung Agung’ is actually a set of six volcanoes, stretching from east to west along the island. In south Beach sand is white, north and west is black, and the southeastern beach Padangbay there either. The largest city on the island of Bali is the capital Denpasar, and then the most important rank the old colonial capital Singaraya (on the north coast) resort town of Kuta and Ubud. Nusa Penida three islands, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Keningan part of the administrative territory of Bali, although separated from it by a strait. The first settlers on the island of Bali are migrants from Asia, which explains the strong influence of local culture of Hinduism. It is growing especially in the XI century, when Madzhapahit Kingdom of Java, which makes its colony in Bali.
It is believed that in 1597 a first European step Bali – Dutch explorer Cornelis Hoytman December. In the XIX century, the Dutch seized the Indonesian archipelago. Until the conquest of the islands from Japan after World War II kept constant struggles between indigenous peoples and Dutch. Many fall victim to baliytsi bloody battles, but failed to stop European expansion. In 1946 Bali was included in the composition of the Republic new formed eastern Indonesia, and after the Dutch recognized the independence of the Republic of Indonesia (December 1949), the island became part of her possessions After years of economic and political crisis, caused both by eruption of the volcano Mount Agung in 1963 and by internal strife. Change is power and with it ways of management and international contacts. In 2002, Bali (namely Kuta tourist center) becomes the subject of Islamist terrorist act. Bomb kills over 200 people, mostly foreigners. This attack, and coming in 2005, applied to large-scale damage on the island – both in tourism and the economy.
Bali called “Island of thousand temple. Therefore do not be surprised that when you step into this land of paradise, an exotic blend of lush vegetation, golden beaches and a rich local culture (dances, festivals and art), everywhere around you’ll see built extravagant temples (over 2000), decorated with traditional Eastern symbols and guarded by mythological beings. Consideration of all churches is impossible. Unless you decide to move to Bali for long enough. It is best to trust a local driver who will direct you to the most popular and interesting sites (open for visits) and will tell you interesting details of history and their importance to local culture. Perhaps you are aware of the rules to follow in so far with the local religious community (mainly Balinese Hindus, but there also are Muslims, Buddhists and Christians). Follow them strictly, otherwise you may incur the wrath of local in… the gods (not accidentally the other name of Bali is the “Island of the Gods).
Among all the temples on the island, one is of particular importance for the people of Bali. This is Temple – Mother Pura Besakih – vast temple complex, extending upward on seven terraces built around XIV century chief temple Pura Penataran Agung is the center and the main sanctuary of the temple, the other 22. To keep it a series of stairs, gates and brick courtyards. This is the main ritual center of the complex where each year more than 70 festival arranged in honor of various deities. Because of its location on the southern slope of Mount Agung volcano chief, the local believe that miraculous Pura Besakih is protected by the gods place. According to them, with the eruption of the volcano in 1963, demonstrated the power of higher forces, but still retained the symbols of faith (lava flows that killed over 1700 people pass near the complex, but it remains almost intact). The second most important temple of Bali is Pura Ulun Danu Bratan the lake Brothers and dedicated to the water as it gives life-giving forces of all beings. In this temple there stands at the beginning of the XIX century when the rise again after the eruption of Batur volcano (previously Pura Ulun Danu Bratan was located at the bottom of the crater).
Like all Eastern philosophies, and water in Bali is one of the most revered and important elements. Therefore, unless Pura Ulun Danu Bratan there are other temples tribute to invigorating fluid. This is the temple Pura Tirta Empul, built in the holy spring Tampak Siring (926 in the mythology, the god Indra from). Once you pass through the entrance gate (guarded by statues of the gods Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra and Batur) will cereal and main attraction of the sanctuary – a rectangular stone basin is filled with holy water fountain 12. Almost all visitors come here hoping to see the magic waters to heal their bodily sufferings and to remit sins.
One of the temples in Bali, who must visit is Pura Tanah Lot. It was built in XV century on a rock in the ocean (which over the years has been shaping impact of the waves into the rocks) in the southern part of the island only 20 km from the capital Denpasar. In translation the name Pura Tanah Lot means “Land of the sea” – this is one of seven sea temples on the coast of Bali, which is closely linked to local mythology. Each of them is constructed so that it can be seen next – the goal was to form a chain of temples in south-west coast, so that pilgrims can visit them in turn. It is believed that the Pura Tanah Lot Bali protects from epidemics, and sea snakes guard the temple from evil forces and the violator. If you are lucky to catch the tide, you can get walking to the rock, but make sure you visit at sunset – the view you’ll see the scale will be engraved forever in your mind.
It is impossible to list all the attractions of Bali but also said it is worth to visit:
- Temple Pura Kehen Bang in the city – one of the oldest in Bali.
- Pura Taman Ayun Mengvi in the city – the land of the Supreme God
- Temple Uluwatu – dedicated to the god of water, built on a 100-meter cliff overlooking the sea.
- Temple Goa Gajah – call it the “elephant cave” because it is built in a cave in which there is a statue of an elephant. Dates from the XI century
- Alas Kedaton – “Sacred Monkey Forest, which stretches over an area of 12,000 hectares, home to monkeys living in jungles and temples.
- Avian Park – over 2000 bird species
Tags: Bali Island, extravagant temples, Indonesia, Island, journey, volcano