Bali is famous for its temples. They are found in every possible place around the island so much so that temples are said to outnumber homes. Each temple has its unique characteristics and has been built either to face the sea, mountains or the rising sun. They generally lie dormant until it is time for a local festival when they are ornately decorated and become hives of activity with traditional dancing and gambling of all sorts that can run into several days.
Pura Petitenget located by the Seminyak beach, on a street named after it, is closely linked with the development of Hinduism on the island. It is said to be one of the nine pillars or ‘kayangan jagat’, a network of west coast temples stretching from Pura Uluwatu to Pura Tanah Lot. These temples are referred to as ‘temples of nine wind eyes’ and were built in the 11th century by a revered Balinese sage who is credited with establishing religious laws and directing the forming of traditional villages. The temples reputedly protect Bali from threats from the south with their strategic positioning. Pura Petitenget is also referred to as the Temple of the Secret Box on account of a box left behind by a holy man that dared not be opened by the locals fearing his wrath, who built the temple around it to guard it instead. As with the other temples on the island this temple too comes alive on festival days.
Although crammed into a small space, the temple is built in the ornate style particular to Bali. Its three entranceways have elaborate stone carvings over the doorways and beautiful wooden carvings on the doors of the shrine rooms featuring scenes from the epic Ramayana, figures of various Hindu deities and flower and bird decorations. The buildings in the premises have the traditional black thatched roofs and some of the taller structures sport two or three sloping thatched roofs although they are small in size. Pura Petitenget is essentially a temple in a busy urban area in Seminyak and is sandwiched between restaurants that are said to be the most popular in town.
Stay at Uma Bali, an intimate Ubud hotel designed more like a home where all who stay can have the ultimate relaxing experience. As a luxury retreat Bali guests are offered a selection of spacious well appointed guests rooms, pool suites and villas overlooks the gorgeous scenery around and are set among immaculate green lawns and tropical foliage. Among its other excellent services and facilities are well designed menus that give great culinary experiences, individually designed yoga classes and a full range of Asian inspired holistic spa treatments, part of its COMO Shambhala wellness program.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
