The temples of Ulun Danu Batur, Tanah Lot and Besakih

Ulun Danu Batur Built in 1926, it is the largest religious complex in Bali after Besakih. Vladimira Dvorakova / age fotostock;

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The island of Bali has a multitude of temples, whose sizes differ depending on whether they are family, district, or national temples. Each morning, the inhabitants come and place their gifts here to pay homage to the good spirits, while gifts placed elsewhere, on the pavements and in front of the houses, are to appease the bad demons. Generally, the Balinese temples are oriented towards the mountains (kaja), the sea (kelod), or the rising sun (kangin). The good spirits inhabit the mountains and bring prosperity, while the giants and demons hide in the sea. The same gods are venerated here as in India, however there are several spirits and purely local entities.

In the north-east, Pura Basakih, placed on the side of the Mont Agung, is the most important and oldest temple on the island (built between the 14th and 17th century). It has more than 200 temples that attract numerous processions during the course of the year to pay homage to the gods Brahma (to the right), Civa (in the centre) and Vishnu (to the left).
In the centre, on the banks covered with water lilies of lake Batran, is the Pura Bedugul (Ulu Danu) - considered as the most beautiful temple in Bali. It is dedicated to the goddess of water (Meru, with 11 roofs) and the goddess of rice (Meru, with three roofs).
In the west of the island, dominating a long stretch of sand, Pura Rambut Siwit is perched on top of a cliff.
In the south of the island, the temple of Tanah Lot is the most important religious building dedicated to the sea. On the top of a rocky promontory, it was built in the 16th century in homage to the sea spirits. You come to admire it at the end of the afternoon, when its silhouette becomes detached from the glare of the solar orb. According to belief, poisonous sea snakes living at the foot of the rock are considered as the guardians of the temple, protecting it from demons, intruders, and other evil spirits.