Sacred Sites, Attractions & Activities Near Jendela Di Bali
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Sacred Sites, Attractions & Activities near Jendela di Bali www.jendeladibali.com Stay Within ‘ The Wheel of Worship ’ This guide gives you a brief insight into the many fascinating sites, temples and attracti ons surrounding Jendela di Bali – a villa in the foothills near Ubud. If you have downloaded this guide and would like to find out more about Jendela di Bali turn to the last page of this guide for more information. The 'Wheel of Worship' Villa Jendela di Bali is located in the centre of what we call the ' W heel of W orship' – in every direction from the villa there are sacred hill temples, royal palaces, water gardens and the seaside and all of these sites have enormous religious meaning for the Balinese. Almos t weekly , the people from our high caste village of Penyembahan will make pilgrimage to the places described in this guide to pray, seek favour from the gods and gather holy water so essential for ceremonies back in the village. In other parts of the worl d you can visit historic sites that had significance for past civilisations. What makes Bali so fascinating is that the places of historic significance that you can visit are still so vitally important to the Balinese of today – this is a living, breathing culture and religion that has an unbroken lineage going back thousands of years. Quite often you'll find one of our staff have visited Pura Tirta Empul early one morning before they arrive to cook you breakfast. Or perhaps their relatives are on a pilgr image to Besikah Temple or heading to the beach this very afternoon to make an offering for someone recently cremated. Every day, almost every moment in every village there is a ceremony going on. In a Christian culture we have Christmas, Easter and ever y Sunday as religious events – in Bali just about every day has a religious significance. You are staying in the heart of Bali and are perfectly placed to discover Bali's heart. We hope you enjoy the adventure! A tip for visiting temples When visiting temples and sacred sites you will be asked to wear a sarong and sash. Each site will supply these for you to use during your visit (usually included in the nominal entrance fee). However, if you would prefer not to use ones used by others, ask the villa staff to give you one of our freshly - laundered sarongs to take with you! We have a small supply ready for you to use. Travel Times Please note that the traffic in Bali is very unpredictable and the volume of cars on the road increases all t he time with a burgeoning economy. Roads can be slowed or traffic halted for long periods due to ceremonies. The travel times in this guide are just an estimate – plan for trips to take longer to avoid disappointment. Sacred Sites, Temples and Water Garden s Jendela di Bali is blessed to be in the centre of what we call a 'wheel of worship' because we are surrounded by some of Bali's most significant sacred temples and relic sites. Many are those few tourists visit, so you are going to be discovering the he art of Bali. You can plan short trips out to one or two sites or string together a few to make a day trip. Many are on one of the two routes to Ubud, so you can plan to stop at one or two on the way in to Ubud for shopping, dining, or dance performance. U bud Village | Ubud (east of the villa) Ubud offers a rich insight into Balinese art and culture. Our location is a highlight of Jendela di Bali because we strike the perfect balance of being away from tourist hotspots, but close enough to visit Ubud for galleries, museums, dance, cuisine and shopping, offering a truly unique experience for guests. See our separate page in this guide for further information. Distance from JdB: 30 - 45 mins Visit tips: Do take both of the special routes into Ubud – whichever w ay you go, along the way you ’ ll be able to stop at many of the sites listed in this guide and enjoy stunning scenes and experiences. Gunung Kawi | Tampaksiring (northwest of the villa) Gunung Kawi is an 11th - century temple complex in Tampaksiring north east of Ubud in Bali, Indonesia. It is located near the river Pakerisan. The complex comprises 10 rock - cut candi (shrines) carved into the cliff face. They stand in 7 - metre - high (23 ft) sheltered niches cut into the sheer cliff face. These monuments are t hought to be dedicated to King Anak Wungsu of the Udayana dynasty and his favourite queens. Distance from JdB: 20mins | Recommended visit time: 1 hour+ Visit tips: There are many steps to descend to the bottom...just take your time coming back up , where yo u will find a small café. Tirta Empul | Tampaksiring (northwest of the villa) Tirta Empul Temple is one of the important Hindu temples located in the middle of Bali. Tirta Empul Temple was constructed during the rules of Candra Bayangsingha , King of Warmadewa dynasty in 926 AD. The temple is a popular sacred destination where Hindu Bali people visit for purification rituals. According to a popular Balinese legend, the sacred water spring in the temple was created by Lord Indra and the waters have curative properties. Distance from JdB: 20mins | Recommended visit time: 1 hour+ Visit tips: One of central Bali's most beautiful water temples, fed by natural springs. This is an extremely holy place for the Balinese and is a regular place of pilgrim age for them during temple and family ceremonies. Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple | Sebatu (northwest of the villa) Not to be confused with Gunung Kawi, The Gunung Kawi Sebatu is a water temple built in homage to the God Wisnu (the preserver who rules over wa ter) and here there are a number of natural spring and waterspouts and a wonderful pond with Koi. The Balinese believe that water is one of the forces of life. The etymology of Gunung Kawi means a fabricated mountain. It lies west of Sebatu village, which is elevated and its name means 'slipping on a stone'. Distance from JdB: 25mins | Recommended visit time: 30 mins+ Visit tips: This is one of Bali's most beautiful small temples and a must visit - but one most tourists will never find. Goa Rang Reng Waterfall and Cave | Banjar Gitgit (south of the villa) Bali has many waterfalls but this would be one of its best - kept secrets – few locals outside the immediate area know about it or have visited , let alone tourists. T he se rapids are form ed by the joining of two rivers and hours could be spent sitting amongst the rapids admiring the pristine jungle setting. There is a holy cave with spring used for purification ceremonies and meditation. Distance from JdB: 10mins | Recommended visit time: 1 hour+ Vi sit tips: You could visit here at any time of the day, but one option would be later afternoon for a swim, followed by a visit to the Gianyar night market (see below). There is a cost of Rp15,000/person (about $3) that goes to the Banjar. Tegallalang Rice Terraces | Tegallalang (west of the villa) The Balinese landscape is very much devoted to wet rice agriculture and this farming is the most important activity in Balinese life. Rice is both the major crop and staple food and is interwoven into spiritual life as well. The rice terraces of Tegallalan g offer a dramatic small valley view as well as giving visitors a more aerial view of the 'Subak' irrigation networks that feed the terraces (this system of irrigation is so unique and significant it is World Heritage Listed). Visitors can view the terrace s from the ridge and there is also the opportunity to walk down into the valley and through the terraces to get an up - close view. Distance from JdB: 25mins | Recommended visit time: 1 hour Visit tips: This is a somewhat 'touristy' destination, being just n orth of Ubud. You may find the drive through rice fields from Jendela di Bali to here offers more serene fields – but as it is on the way to Ubud it is worth stopping for the dramatic valley perspective it offers as part of a day trip taking in other sites such as the temples of Tampaksiring or if you are heading to Ubud for lunch. The Pakirisan River | Flows through the valley (west, near the villa) This river is claimed to be world heritage listed in many guidebooks and brochures but it would seem that it is actually the Pakirisan Valley generally and the Subak rice irrigation system that is the subject of the listing. Nevertheless, the river is the lifeblood of the valley and worth a stop to admire. There are also tube rafting adventures from Tampaksir ing going down the river, which Bali Individual can book for you. Distance from JdB: 10mins | Recommended visit time: 20mins+ Visit tips: The river flows through many wilderness areas in the valley that are inaccessible but the best spot to see it and be able to walk down to it is from the bridge crossing north of the villa that connects our side of the valley with Tampaksiring. You will cross this bridge if you are going to Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul and Tegallalang (which is also the northern, scenic route to Ubud) so ask your driver to stop on the bridge and walk down to the rivers edge if you able or you can admire the river from the bridge.