Vancouver Banshee: hindu

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Friday, March 09, 2012

Indonesia -- Day 12 Beratan Lake Area, Bali

Our Adventures Abroad itinerary for today stated:

This morning we have an early boat trip to the reef where we hope to see the dolphins that frequent the area. Even if the dolphins don't show, the sunrise can be quite spectacular.

After breakfast back at the hotel, we head for the Gitgit Falls where a 15-minute walk takes us to a 60 m / 197 ft waterfall. We will also check out the spices and fruits at Lake Bratan market, making our way back toward Lovina with a visit at the Buddhist Monastery, Brahma Arama Vihara. It is a spectacular looking place, and a bit out of place in Hindu Bali. It is the most important Buddhist monastery in Bali and is complete with golden Buddha statues and a pristine natural setting. Strictly speaking the monastery is not a tourist site but accepts respectful visitors.

We return to Lovina late in the afternoon.

Overnight in Lovina. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

Roadside Fruit Stands
Beratan Lake Area, Bali

I find this a weird commercial/retail concept that 6 stalls of the same thing (oranges?) are all together at one area of the road. Of course, they were selling fruit for the next stop...

Monkeys !!
Beratan Lake Area, Bali

The next stop down the road were these "wild monkeys". Man they are pretty brazen !! They would come right up to you and take the fruit out of your hand..

Beratan Lake Area, Bali

A little fuzzy -- but this is the "Grandpa" of the clan.

Hibiscus
Beratan Lake Area, Bali

Amazing Hibiscus flower .. this is such a gorgeous flower. The depth and shape is amazing.

I love this !! NO MONKEYS !!
Beratan Lake Area, Bali

Arriving at the Ulun Danu temple. Quite a unique sign for a North American to see ...

Wild orchid??
Beratan Lake Area, Bali

Again, more gorgeous flowers !! I believe this is a lady slipper orchid but I really am not sure.

Banyan Tree
Beratan Lake Area, Bali

I believe this is a banyan tree. It's root system is unbelievable. The black and white checker cloth is put on all things/guards to ward off evil.

Beratan Lake Area, Bali

The entrance to the Ulun Danu Temple at the Beratan Lake. Please note the restrictions on entering below:

Beratan Lake Area, Bali

From Balistarisland

The existence of Ulun Danu Temple reminds that The Balinese Hindu live tolerantly with other people outside of Hindu like Buddha. It is signified by the existence of Buddhist Temple located outside of temple area. This temple building look very beautiful with Buddha Monk Statues put surround the temple. These Buddhist Temples are strategically situated in the lush tropical garden with cool atmosphere surround it.

Beratan Lake Area, Bali

Such a beautiful sight. A mother and her young son in traditional dress.

Beratan Lake Area, Bali

This is the carved and painted door in the temple wall. Isn't this gorgeous??

Beratan Lake Area, Bali

If you would like to visit Bali or Lovina or the Aneka Lovina Hotel,

contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote Code AANK for a special discount

Ulun Danu Temple
Beratan Lake Area, Bali

Monday, March 05, 2012

Indonesia -- Day 11 Pura Beji, Sangsit, Bali

After leaving Kintamani, we kept on the road to Singaraja. Our next stop was the main road of Sangsit and the Pura Beji Temple. The temple is located about 6 km north-east of Singaraja. It is a fabulous looking temple with gold and red trim doors at the entrance, Chinese and Hindu features and is dedicated to the fertility and rice goddess Dewi Sri. The temple belongs to the local rice-farmers' co-operative.

Pura Beji, Sangsit
Bali, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

The tripartite split gate leading into the inner courtyard is exceptionally richly ornamented; on its outer surface are several grimacing demons framed in finely carved lotus blossoms. Beyond the gate is an aling-aling (protective wall to keep out demons) flanked by two snakes. The profusion of carved ornament characteristic of northern Bali continues in the inner courtyard. Above the temple rears the gedong of the goddess Dewi Sri.

On leaving the temple note the three figures from the "Ramayana" on each side.

Pura Beji, Sangsit
Bali, Indonesia

Honestly, this temple was so AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL !! I wish I was a better photographer to try and convey exactly how fabulous it was.

Pura Beji, Sangsit
Bali, Indonesia

The intricacy of the red brick is beyond description. Every inch of the temple seems to be richly carved. It is hard to believe that it originates from the 15th century. It has been described as the most "baroque-looking" temple on the island.

Pura Beji, Sangsit
Bali, Indonesia

Pura Beji, Sangsit

Bali, Indonesia

The inner courtyard filled with frangipani trees.

Pura Beji, Sangsit
Bali, Indonesia

Pura Beji, Sangsit

Bali, Indonesia

The main road of Sangsit

Outside the Pura Beji Temple

Bali, Indonesia

What does this mean?

The main road of Sangsit outside the Pura Beji Temple

Bali, Indonesia

If you would like to visit Bali or the Pura Beji Temple,

contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote Code AANK for a special discount.

The neighboring rice fields or Pura Beji Temple

Bali, Indonesia

Monday, February 20, 2012

Indonesia -- Day 11 Mother Temple of Besaikh

After visiting the Klungkung Courts of Justice we continued on down to the road to

the Mother Temple of Besaikh. The temple dates back to the fourteenth century.

rice terraces
Bali, Indonesia

Jackfruit
Bali, Indonesia

Sarong and souvenier shop
Bali, Indonesia

Restaurant
Bali, Indonesia

Besaikh Temple,
Bali, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

The Mother Temple of Besakih, or Pura Besakih, in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, is the most important, the largest and holiest temple of Agama Hindu Dharma in Bali, Indonesia, and one of a series of Balinese temples.

Besaikh Temple,
Bali, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

This Mother Temple is actually a complex made up of twenty-two temples that sit on parallel ridges. It has stepped terraces and flights of stairs which ascend to a number of courtyards and brick gateways that in turn lead up to the main spire or Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual person upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred.

The main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura Penataran Agung. The symbolic center of the main sanctuary is the lotus throne or padmasana, which is therefore the ritual focus of the entire complex. It dates to around the seventeenth century.

A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Puru Besakih. The lava flows missed the temple complex by mere meters. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous, and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected