Enchanting Ubud: 3 Temples to visit while you're there

Enchanting Ubud: 3 Temples to visit while you’re there

MF editorial team

03 Apr 2015

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:15

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Gunung Kawi Temple
This is just 5 kilometers from the Tirta Empul temple is Gunung Kawi - the equivalent meaning ‘Poet Mountain’ in English. Located at the bottom of a valley some 371 steps down, this temple is spread across the Pakerisan River and boasts 10 shrines carved into the steep mountainside. Quite the dramatic setting, Gunung Kawi once served as an ancient royal burial complex and theory has it that the funeral monuments were built in dedication to King Anak Wungsu and his favorite queens, who ruled from AD 1050-1080. The steps leading down and up the ravine can be a bit tiring, but luckily the rice field views are incredible and serve as a perfect rest stop for an es kelapa muda (young coconut with ice).
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Tirta Empul
A bit further out of central Ubud in the village of Tampaksiring (but well worth the drive) is a temple built around natural springs. At Tirta Empul, you can stand amidst an 11th century temple and witness spring water continue to bubble out of the earth. Deemed a holy site by the Balinese, Tirta Empul still draws throngs of Hindu devotees to its springs where they bathe in the water and even collect some of it to bring back and purify their home. Non-Hindu visitors are welcome to visit the site as well, and even take a dip in the spring baths if they’re feeling adventurous or in need of spiritual cleansing. There is also a proper temple that you may enter, but do remember to do so first before going in the springs as you will not be allowed inside if you're wet. Upon purchase of your admission ticket, you will be provided with a sarong and sash prior to entering the temple grounds. Don’t forget your camera for this day trip!
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Goa Gajah
Probably the most famous temple in Ubud is the Goa Gajah Temple, only a 10 minute drive from the center of town. Literally translating into ‘Elephant Cave’, Goa Gajah is a must-see temple for its dramatic cave entrance carved into a larger than life demonic mouth. Thought to be built around the 11th century for meditative and religious purposes, this temple still holds an air of mystery for the Balinese. There are also fountain baths built out of stone steps that date back more recently to the 1950s where you can sit and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. The most enjoyable part of the Goa Gajah experience is the walk through the jungle. A paved path of steps will lead you on a beautiful stroll alongside rushing rivers and waterfalls (if it’s rainy season), giving you the chance to slow down and really appreciate Bali’s natural beauty.

Planning a trip to the Island of the Gods? Well, don’t forget to include these holy sites into your itinerary!

With over 20,000 pura (‘temple’ in Balinese) dispersed around Bali, it is quite difficult to not see at least one of these magnificent cultural emblems during your holiday to the ‘Island of the Gods’. Bathe in holy water springs, hike down to a valley of royal burial shrines or enter a cave shaped into an agape monster mouth; whatever you do, don’t leave Ubud without visiting these three temples!

This article was written in collaboration with villa-bali.com, your destination to booking the best hand-picked private villas in Bali.

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Enchanting Ubud: 3 Temples to visit while you’re there

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