As travellers, we love exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe. So, when we decided to visit Bali, the first thing on our minds was to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bali. We researched and got various inputs, some confusing, others outrightly incorrect and misleading. To add it was the fact that we were only in Bali for 4-5 days, and exploring everything was turning out to be a daunting task. Should we explore all the famous places or restrict ourselves to just visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site? After much deliberation, we chose the middle path of doing a bit of both. This travelogue will only focus on how we went about exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bali.
UNESCO website lists it as ‘The Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy.’ So, you may ask, what exactly is the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy? What do we mean by Subak System? We had the same questions in our minds. Let’s simplify it.
Tri Hita Karana Philosophy
Translating it into English means ‘Three reasons or causes of goodness/well-being.’ The three causes are harmony with God, harmony with human beings and harmony with nature. Often when we contemplate about life, we ask ourselves, ‘How can I be happy or good?’ The Balinese have known the answer to this for centuries. It is this philosophy they imbibe in their daily lives and is perhaps why the locals are smiling, warm and deeply religious beings. This philosophy is the guiding principle of their personal, professional and spiritual lives.
Subak System
The Balinese believe that water is a gift from the Goddess of the Lake/Dewi Danu. The Subak system is a socio-religious institution where groups of farmers form an organisation that shares the responsibility of efficiently using this precious water needed to grow rice. Water is also used for various rituals in water temples. This Subak system or cooperative water management is viewed as an indicator of Tri Hita Karana Philosophy.
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bali
The nominated property consists of the following:
- The Subak system
- Supreme Water Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur
- Lake Batur
- Subak Landscape of the Pakerisan Watershed
- Subak Landscape of Catur Angga Batukaru
- The Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayun
Now that you have a background and understanding of Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, read how we explored it.
The Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayun
It is our second arrival day, and we visit the Royal Water Temple of Taman Ayun. It was built in 1632 by the Mengwi king. Taman Ayun means ‘Garden Temple in the Water’. It is an apt description, as water moats surround the garden. We walk on a bridge and enter the temple complex. A sprawling outer courtyard with gardens and fountains awaits us with the ticket booth on the right. A pavilion has models of villagers and cocks enacting a cockfight scene.
We move to the middle courtyard where we see an ornamental gate, enclosures and shrines. The last courtyard has a series of pagoda-like tall structures. We walk into the complex and see a statue of Goddess Sridevi, also called Goddess of Rice, signifying beauty, fertility and prosperity. We visit the museum, with an enclosure displaying the ceremonial masks of mythological figures. The museum has a model of the temple complex and a picture gallery. Close by is a mini theatre where we watch a film on the history and details of the temple.
Rice Terraces
After exploring the Taman Ayun Temple, we head to the Rice Terraces in Tagallang near Ubud. The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are the biggest and most frequently visited. But since this is a short trip, we are content seeing the ones in Tagallang. The emerald green rice paddy terraces are the backdrop of several pics in the Bali swing photos on Instagram. Later we were to see rice terraces at the Gunungkawi temple which we visited the following day.
Subak Landscape of Pakersian Watershed
This site is the oldest water irrigation system in Bali and includes, amongst other things, four water temples. It gets its name from the Pakersian River over here. On the following day, we visited these temples.
Tirtha Empul Water Temple
The temple consisting of four parts, was founded in 926 A.D. and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. We walk through a Balinese gate and enter a central courtyard or Jaba Pura. Here there is a pavilion where we see several locals sitting and mingling. As we walk further, we enter the Jaba Tengah, which has two purification pools with several water spouts that feed the pool. Men and women dressed in green sarongs are praying and taking a dip in the pools. A ritual similar to taking a dip in Ganga, which we are familiar with in India. Holy water is believed to wash away one’s sins.
Ahead of the purification pools is ‘The Jeroan’, or ‘inner courtyard’ where we see a spring with spouts from which water flows and then through a channel enters the main purification pools. There are also several shrines here, where a group of people wearing white shirts and colourful sarongs is offering prayers. The final section of the temple has a large pool where we see thousands of koi fish swimming. The Tirtha Empul Water Temple is must visit because it is an active temple where one can observe the faithful taking purification baths and offering prayers. Exiting the temple, we see a series of shops selling handmade items.
Pura Pegulingan Temple
Pura Pegulingan Temple is close to the Tirtha Empul Water Temple. We briefly stop at this temple complex. There is a pavilion with golden work. There are some shrines close by.
Pura Mengening Temple
The Pura Mengening water temple is what we visit next. This temple, too, has purification pools but more in natural surroundings of lush green forests and hills. Here too, we see men and women offering prayers and performing ablutions. It is less crowded than the Tirtha Empul Water Temple, and the natural surroundings make taking a dip in the waters here a more authentic experience.
Gunungkawi Temple
Gunungkawi Temple, rock-cut monuments and monasteries date back 11th century. They are located in a valley surrounded by palm trees and rice terraces. We climb down a flight of stairs. There are shops lining the stairway where artisans sell various handcrafted items. There are spots where you can have refreshments or click pics in nests, swings and other Instagrammable installations. It’s the end of a long day of sightseeing, and I am tired. The steps seem never-ending, and I am out of breath. I wait at one of the shops as my husband, Rafiq proceeds to the bottom of the valley. I befriend the artist who is carving a scene from the Arjuna on a coconut shell. He has been at it for the past couple of weeks.
I regain my breath and continue the descent as my husband, standing at the bottom, tells me not to give up. My energy levels are sagging, but my quest to explore a UNESCO World Heritage monument pushes me to climb down. The Pakerisan River flows, and there is lush greenery around. There is a temple complex with various shrines and pavilions.
Rock Cut Shrines
On the east side of the Pakersian River are five rock-cut Candis or Shrines in niches. These are dedicated to the King. Another set of four Candis or shrines is on the west side of the river dedicated to the Queen. There are caves, too, interspersed in the valley. It is now time for us to climb up. It’s only when we reach the top that our driver cum guide Wayan informs us that we had taken up the arduous task of descending and ascending 300 steps! No wonder I was so exhausted.
Other properties included in Bali UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Supreme Water Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur, Lake Batur and the Subak Landscape of Catur Angga Batukaru are also part of Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were unable to explore these. But they are very much on our to-do list, and we hope to explore them on our next visit to Bali.
Exploring Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage Site has been nothing short of a treasure hunt. Not many blogs or websites provide in-depth, accurate information to help travellers like us interested in visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We hope this blog will help other fellow travellers like us interested in exploring culture and heritage.
GETTING THERE-
Nearest Airport: I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, known as Denpasar International Airport, is the main airport of Bali, Indonesia. From India, there are no direct flights to Bali. We flew from Mumbai via Bangkok to Bali and returned via Singapore.
Where to Stay: A separate blog can be written just for this. Some of the most popular places with tourists are Ubud, Seminyak, and Kuta. There are lots of options available depending on budget and comfort.
Best Time to Visit Bali: The best time would be from April to September due to less rainfall.
Travel Trip: When visiting the temples, dress appropriately or carry a sarong to cover your legs. Women during menstruation are not allowed entry to certain temples. When visiting Gunungkawi Temple, do take frequent breaks when ascending and descending the 300 steps.
Travel Support: Wayan from Bali Explore Tour arranged for a car service to explore Bali. We got excellent service, and Wayan helped us optimize our travel plans. https://www.baliexploretour.com/ +62 812-3720-7337
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