Bali is called the Island of a Thousand Temples as every community, every home, every corner of the island is celebrated with a shrine, altar or temple. In Bali, temples are called Pura which is Sanskrit for walled city or palace. They serve as the lifeblood of every community. It’s where people gather, celebrate, worship and mourn. This is all part of Bali’s unique culture.

Temple culture is fascinating as the Balinese blend their own traditions with Hinduism to create rituals and customs which are unique to the island. Fortunately, most temples are open to the public and most Balinese are happy to allow visitors to share in services, festivals and even weddings and funerals. They practice an ethos of openness and community and mark key moments in life together.