As a native of Bali, I was fortunate enough to have parents who taught me several traditional practices and habits that are unique to our culture. Growing up, I learned that Bali is a very special place, filled with sacred customs and traditions that we should all be mindful of. It’s essential to be cautious with our words and actions in our daily lives to maintain the sanctity of this beautiful land.
But what is it about this island in Indonesia that is so magical, so sacred, and so highly regarded? Together, we will explore the mysteries surrounding Bali’s special place in the hearts of millions of people.
Understanding the Spiritual Fabric
Bali is a truly magical place, and one of the things that makes it so special is the deep sense of spirituality that you can feel everywhere you go. The people of Bali are deeply connected to their religion, which is a unique blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, and animism. From the daily offerings and rituals to the elaborate temple ceremonies and vibrant processions, you can see how much the Balinese people value their connection to the divine.
When you visit Bali, you might have noticed these beautiful little baskets with colorful flowers, fruits, incense, and even cigarettes placed outside homes and shops. These baskets are called canang sari and they are made of woven coconut palm leaves. They are a common sight in Bali and are meant to be offerings to the gods.
Every morning in Bali, Balinese offer small gifts to the gods as a way of expressing their gratitude and devotion for the peace and balance in the world. This beautiful ritual is renewed each day and sealed with a prayer that is carried to the gods on incense smoke. It’s just one of the many colorful and fascinating traditions that make up Bali’s rich culture and spirit. The people of Bali are always smiling and welcoming, and this ritual truly captures their warm and friendly nature.
Honoring the Gods and Ancestors
Bali is known for its deep spiritual roots that stem from the belief in a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with ancestral spirits. The island is dotted with temples, or pura, that serve as sacred sanctuaries where locals and tourists alike come to pray, meditate, and seek blessings from the gods. The temples are not just places of worship, but also a living embodiment of Bali’s spiritual heritage, adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant offerings.
It’s worth noting that Bali is a distinct Hindu enclave in Indonesia, despite the country’s predominantly Muslim population. It’s important to remember that Balinese Hinduism is a separate religion with significant differences from Indian Hinduism.
Balinese Hinduism is a unique combination of different religious traditions. It blends the Shiva Sect of Hinduism with Mahayana Buddhism from India, along with Malay customs for showing respect to ancestors. At its core, Balinese Hinduism has animistic beliefs, which include worshiping Dewa – the ancestral gods and local gods of mountains, fertility, love, rice, and other aspects of nature.
Balinese people hold strong beliefs in karma and reincarnation. They worship a variety of deities, including both gods and demons. The most significant deities in their religion are the trimurti, which consists of three gods: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Protector), and Shiva (the Destroyer). These three deities are a manifestation of the highest god Sanghyang Widhi Wasa.
Brahma the Creator:
Dewa Brahma is revered as the creator of both the physical and spiritual universe. Along with his wife Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, they brought creativity and knowledge to the world. Dewa Brahma is depicted with four faces and rides on a white swan. He is associated with the color red and the southern direction. The primary temple dedicated to Dewa Brahma is called Pura Desa. It is situated in Ubud, just a minute’s walk away from Sarasvati Temple.
Vishnu the Protector:
Dewa Vishnu is considered the protector and preserver of life in Hinduism. He is often depicted riding the Garuda, an eagle-like god and a symbol of Garuda Indonesia Airlines. He is known for his mercy and appears in various incarnations to help mankind during times of need. Dewa Vishnu is associated with the color black and rules the North with his wife Dewa Lakshmi, who is the goddess of joy, wealth, and happiness. Batuan’s Pura Puseh is Dewa Vishnu’s primary temple of worship.
Shiva the Destroyer:
The Balinese have a unique perspective on destruction. While the West typically views it negatively, the Balinese see it as a form of cleansing and returning to the original state. Dewa Shiva, known as The Renewer, is an important deity in Balinese culture. Like Dewa Vishnu, Dewa Shiva is also known to appear in various forms, such as the sun god Surya and the god of the holy mountain Gunung Agung. Dewa Parwati, Shiva’s wife, also has both nurturing and destructive aspects. She is known as Durga or Kali. Pura Dalem is the main temple dedicated to Dewa Shiva, and it is also called the Great Temple of Death. It is located in the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud.
The Concept of Tri Hita Karana
The guiding principle of Balinese philosophy is Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining harmony and balance in relationships between humans, nature, and the divine. This holistic worldview recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings and highlights the significance of living in harmony with one another and the environment. Bali’s sacredness is deeply rooted in its commitment to preserving this delicate equilibrium, from the intricate rice terrace irrigation systems to the elaborate temple festivals that celebrate the cycles of nature.
The Power of Sacred Spaces
Bali, apart from its temples and religious practices, is also home to natural landscapes and geographical features that hold deep significance for the locals. Mount Agung, the highest peak on the island, is considered to be the abode of gods and holds a central position in Balinese cosmology.
Sacred rivers, springs, and caves are believed to be gateways to the spiritual realm, where individuals come to purify themselves and seek enlightenment. These sacred spaces serve as a reminder of Bali’s profound connection to the natural world and the divine presence that permeates all of creation.
The most sacred places in Bali
- Besakih Temple (Mother of Temple): the holiest temple for the Balinese Hindu. It is the largest temple complex in Bali, comprising 18 temples dotted on the slopes of Mount Agung, and has been a place of worship since 1284. Every year, 70 ceremonies take place in Besakih Temple.
- Mount Agung: there are four primary sacred mountains in Bali and Mount Agung is the tallest of them. This majestic volcano is honored by the Balinese as the dwelling place of the gods. In particular, Mahadewa, the supreme manifestation of Dewa Shiva.
- Mount Batur: known for its spectacular views of the sunrise and the smallest of the sacred mountains. It is the most active volcano, and due to this, it is believed to be the dwelling place of Dewa Brahma.
- Lake Batur: At the foot of Mount Batur is also a crescent-shaped lake, which is also revered as sacred. The lake is associated with Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, and so the water springs originating from this lake are considered to be sacred and have healing powers. Nearby is also Pura Ulun Danu Batur, a holy temple.
- Lempuyang Luhur Temple: the Gates of Heaven. One of the oldest and most revered temples in Bali, the Lempuyang Luhur Temple rests on the Peak of Mount Lempuyang in East Bali. There are 1,700 steps to climb to reach the temple, and devotees embark on pilgrimages on holy days and full moons to seek blessings and holy water.
- Tirta Empul: Famed for its holy mountain spring and purification pools, this important temple is a spiritual destination for cleansing the spirit with a purification ritual known as meerkat.
My advice from locals to tourists when traveling through Bali
Bali is known as the “Island of the Gods” and it has many sacred places with certain dress codes. For instance, visitors must wear a sarong if they are wearing shorts upon entering the temple area. Visitors should also dress modestly, covering their arms, shoulders, chest, knees, and legs. To comply with the dress code, they can use a sarong to wrap around their waist and a traditional scarf for their shoulders.
In Balinese culture, it is considered disrespectful to point your feet towards a person, specifically towards a healer, priest, or priestess. The feet are regarded as the most ritually unclean part of the body, and even babies are carried without touching the ground until they have a special ceremony. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of this custom and avoid pointing your feet towards a Balinese person. People also aren’t permitted to enter temples or receive healing while menstruating.
There are certain places in Bali such as large trees and springs that are considered sacred and should be treated with respect. In the past, visitors who have violated these rules have been deported from Bali for walking naked into a Bali temple, posing nude on a sacred banyan tree, and tourists who posed naked on sacred Mount Agung. Because of the Bali tourists will receive ‘dos and don’ts’ cards on arrival.
Although Bali is a popular tourist destination, it’s also deeply rooted in ancient religious beliefs. The island is home to many sacred sites revered by its Hindu-majority culture.
Bali is a place of deep spiritual significance, and tourists should be mindful of their actions and behavior while visiting. Casual dressing, loud talking, or inappropriate touching at sacred sites can be disturbing and disruptive to the island’s delicate spiritual balance. Such behavior not only offends the locals, but also unsettles the Hindu gods worshiped in Bali. Consequently, the Balinese people perform ancient rituals to appease the deities and restore cosmic harmony at these disturbed locations and cleanse them of negative energy.
I suggest that you take part in multiple tours led by local guides because they possess knowledge that you couldn’t possibly gather on your own. They can enlighten you on fascinating details such as the meaning behind the five colors of offerings which correspond to five gods and directions, as well as the reason why Balinese people honk when crossing rivers as a sign of respect to the river spirits.
Final thoughts
The sacredness of Bali is a multi-faceted tapestry woven from the threads of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. It is a place where the divine intersects with the mundane, and the sacred is found in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Whether you come to seek solace in its temples, marvel at its breathtaking landscapes, or immerse yourself in its vibrant culture, Bali offers a journey of discovery and transformation unlike any other.