Pura Luhur Uluwatu


Pura Luhur Uluwatu
The spectacularly located Pura Luhur Uluwatu, on the westernmost tip of the rocky Bukit Peninsula, is one of the sad kahyangan, or `six great sanctuar
The Nirartha Legacy in Bali
The promulgation of Hindu and Buddhist doctrines in Bali is attributed to a number of key historical figures typically Brahman priests from Java and t
The Majapahit Past in Bali
The temple of Bali are the legacy, in part, of an architectural tradition that dates back to the last great empire of Indonesia`s Hindu Buddhist past,
Sacred Bathing Places in Bali
Water has a special place in Balinese life, not only because of the vital role it plays bin irrigating the island`s rice fields, but also because of i
Cave Temples and Rock-cut Sanctuaries in Bali
The practice of carving temple out of solid rock has an ancient history in India dating back to the time of the great Mauryan emperor Ashoka (c.270-23
Sacred Rice and Subak Temples in Bali
Rice and its cultivation are central to the Balinese way of life. In Balinese eyes, rice is a gift from the gods-it was created by the Hindu deity Vis
Death and the Afterlife in Bali Added on 06 September 2007
Death in Bali is considered to be both ritually polluting and contaminating. These perceptions are reflected in the location of the pura dalem -the
Village Temples Added on 06 September 2007
Balinese society is complex and multifarious, being divided by social hierarchies based on caste, occupation and descent. In the not so distant pas
A Typology of Temples Added on 06 September 2007
A conservative estimate reckons that there are some 20,000 temples in Bali. Most of the time they are deserted, watched over by a lay priest, or pe

Bali Culture

Bali is an Indonesian island that is rich in indigenous culture. A lot pf people say that Bali culture is unique and that the people of Bali have always been contented with the “now.” If you ask a Balinese person what heaven is like, the probable answer will be “just like Bali”. This only goes to show that most Balinese people are happy to be where they are and never worry.

One factor that contributes to this laidback lifestyle is the culture of close family ties in Bali. In the Balinese culture, support is always available. Balinese extended families are so tightly knit that all members usually reside in the same complex.

Hinduism is one of the main religions in Bali. The Bali culture is based on a form of this religion, which is called “Hindu Darma”. This religion reached the island during the eleventh century. Most of the family customs and traditions as well as community lifestyles of the Balinese people are influenced by this. The religious influence even expands widely into the arts, which makes Bali distinct from the rest of Indonesia.

In spite of the influx of tourists to the island, Balinese people have managed to preserve their culture. Almost every native of Bali is an artist in some form or another. Parents and villagers have passed on their skills to their children, who all seem to have inclinations either to music, dance, painting, and decor.

Another remarkable mark of the Bali culture is the series of ceremonies and rituals known as the Manusa Yadnya. This marks the different stages of Balinese life. Cremation is very popular on this island – and unlike in the West, death is a joyous and colorful event for the Balinese.

Indeed, Bali has a rich culture, making it distinctive from the rest of the islands in