Temples in Ubud

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Which are in town, and which need twenty minutes in a car

Ubud's own temples are small and walkable, and the famous ones nearby are not in Ubud at all: Tirta Empul and Goa Gajah are both a short drive north and east.

Here is the list of 7 Temples in Ubud

1. Ubud Water Palace (Saraswati Temple)

Ubud Water Palace (Saraswati Temple)
3.7 /5

Ubud Water Palace which is a temple for the worship of Lord Saraswati was originally the residential palace of the Sukawati royal family. This temple in Ubud was designed by famous architect Gusti Nyoman Lempad It is now one of the most sacred places in Bali and apart from offering a beautiful lotus pond and water garden, the temple hosts a classic Bali dance show at night which one shouldn't miss out on.

2. Tirta Empul

Tirta Empul
4.6 /5

Built in 962 AD during the reign of Warmadewa dynasty, Pura Tirta Empul or Holy Water Temple is the legacy of a traditional good versus evil tale. This temple in Ubud is home to a holy mountain spring that feeds the Pakerisan river, and is revered for its ritual purification by devotees. Visitors can admire the temple carvings but are forbidden from having the ritual bath.

3. Goa Gajah

Goa Gajah
4.7 /5

A few kilometres from Ubud, Goa Gajah or the "elephant cave" is a spiritual and cultural attraction filled with Buddhist and Shaivite relics and carvings. A wide-eyed demon-like structure welcomes you at the cave entrance, which further leads to a serene pool inside. The intricate stonework of this temple in Ubud makes this worth visiting for anyone looking for a glimpse into Indonesian architecture and heritage.

4. Gunung Kawi

Gunung Kawi
3.7 /5

Northeast of Ubud, Bali lies the Pura Gunung Kawi temple, a site of Buddhist and Hindu religious rituals. Known for the 10 seven-metre-high shrines carved into stone, Gunung Kawi is believed to belong to 11th-century Udayana dynasty. The temple overlooks the Pakerisan river and is a unique cultural and historical attraction in the city.

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5. Pura Gunung Lebah

Pura Gunung Lebah
2.3 /5

set over the Campuhan valley where the Sungai Cerik meets, Pura Gunung Lebah is one of Ubud's most significant temples. An 8th-century edifice dedicated to the goddess of Batur, the temple features a traditional Balinese Padmanasa, or empty stone throne, atop its intricately carved tower-like structure. Owing to its beautiful atmosphere and lush surroundings, the temple is often used for meditation.

6. Pura Dalem

Pura Dalem
3.9 /5

The Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali, hides another gem in its southwestern corner - the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, or the 'Padangtegal Great Temple of Death,' dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thought to have been built around 1350, the Kecak dance performances at the temple, in addition to the excellent craftsmanship, make this a significant religious and cultural attraction of Ubud.

7. Ubud Palace

Ubud Palace
4.2 /5

An itinerary to Bali is incomplete without a stopover at Ubud Palace, located on the main Jalan Raya Ubud road. Built-in the 19th century by the ruler Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel, the palace's front section, with its gardens and carvings, is a visual delight. International events on art, music, and literature are held inside, making this place a cultural repository of Ubud.

Ubud is the base for the whole inland half of Bali. Temples in Bali covers the island's major sites, waterfalls in Bali the other reason to drive out, and beaches near Ubud the coast.

This post was published by Harshitha

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FAQs on Temples in Ubud

Which temples are actually in Ubud?

Pura Taman Saraswati in the centre, with its lotus pond, and Pura Desa Ubud on the main road. Both are small, free and take fifteen minutes. The famous ones are outside town.

What is Tirta Empul?

A holy spring temple about twenty minutes north at Tampaksiring, where Balinese Hindus bathe in a row of stone spouts for ritual purification. Visitors can take part, and there are changing rooms and sarong hire on site.

Should I do the purification ritual?

Only if you will treat it as a religious rite rather than a photo opportunity. There is an order to the spouts, two are reserved for funeral rites and skipped, and a guide or temple staff will explain it if you ask.

What about the Monkey Forest temples?

Three temples sit inside the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, among free-ranging macaques. Keep bags closed, do not carry food, and do not make eye contact with the monkeys.

What should I wear?

A sarong and sash, available at every temple entrance for a small fee, and covered shoulders. At Tirta Empul you also need a change of clothes if you are entering the water.

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