Spend a day in Bali and also you’ll shortly see the function spirituality performs in each aspect of day by day life, from the small choices of flowers and incense scattered on the street to miniature temples in each dwelling.
The truth is, prayer and religion is so central to life that it’s little marvel Bali has earned its well-known moniker because the island of a thousand temples. That’s why a temple go to is a should on each traveller’s itinerary. The possibility to see locals training their religion, and to marvel on the beautiful structure, affords a fantastic perception into native tradition. However how are you going to make sure you go to in a respectful and courteous method? As travellers, it may be complicated, which is why we’ve put collectively this useful 8-step information to Balinese temple etiquette.
1. Put on a sarong
Like many locations of worship, dressing modestly is a straightforward method to present respect. That’s why each women and men are required to put on sarongs that cowl their legs under the knee when visiting Hindu and Buddhist temples. The excellent news is in the event you don’t personal a sarong, or don’t need to purchase one, a sarong is usually included within the ticket value at most temples – particularly at these common with travellers. If you happen to’re planning to go to temples which might be extra off the crushed monitor, choose up an affordable sarong on the native markets to hold in your day pack.
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2. Cowl your shoulders and again
When visiting temples, it’s additionally important to maintain your shoulders and again lined. Singlets and tank tops are a no-go however, if the climate is very sizzling, you’ll be able to all the time take a light-weight shirt or different masking (like one other sarong – an excellent excuse to purchase two!) to put on while you’re on the temple after which take away it afterwards.
Keep away from pointing your toes by crossing your legs. Picture by Damien Raggatt.
3. Keep away from pointing your toes on the altar
Toes are typically seen as unclean in Balinese tradition, which suggests pointing your soiled hooves on the altar is taken into account poor type. Males will usually sit with their legs crossed whereas girls will kneel in prayer. Watching the place you level your toes whereas seated is one factor, however it’s also thought-about disrespectful to lift your toes too excessive, so resist the urge to good your favorite yoga poses whereas at temple.
4. Respect areas of worship
Balinese temples are unimaginable works of structure, however they’re additionally locations of prayer. For this reason the internal sanctum of most temples will often be closed off to travellers. Be aware of unintentionally blocking entrances to prayer areas, being loud in quiet locations the place others could also be attempting to wish, and respect indicators designating areas for praying solely. Though praying areas are often off limits, you may be fortunate to have a priest (manku) invite you into the internal sanctum.
If you happen to’re fortunate, you might be invited into the internal sanctum to take part in a prayer ceremony. Picture by Damien Raggatt.
5. Be constructive
A big a part of the Hindu and Buddhist religion centres round constructive energies, that the nice ideas and actions you place out on the planet will ultimately return to you (also known as ‘karma’). When visiting a temple, attempt to maintain your ideas and language constructive.
6. Particular guidelines for girls
One of many extra confronting guidelines of etiquette for some travellers visiting temples embody people who apply to girls. Extra particularly, girls who’re menstruating on the time of their go to will not be permitted to enter the temple. This tradition is rooted within the historical perception that menstruating girls have been ‘impure’ and the prohibition in opposition to unsanctified blood on sacred grounds. Whereas most Balinese are respectful of privateness, don’t be shocked if a neighborhood asks you immediately whether or not you might be menstruating. Equally, girls who’re greater than seven months pregnant or have given beginning inside six weeks of visiting are suggested to not enter a temple.
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7. Go away the drone behind
It’s an indication of the instances that almost all temples now show an indication asking travellers not to make use of drones. If you happen to’ve seen one in motion then you definitely’ll know the way they hover round like large mosquitos, distracting travellers and locals in prayer with their incessant buzzing. To correctly benefit from the tranquil serenity of Bali’s temples, depart the drone packed away.
Drone photographs like these could also be stunning, present your respect by maintaining your drone packed away.
8. Pay due respect
One good rule of thumb is in the event you wouldn’t do it at a typical place of worship at dwelling, don’t do it when travelling overseas. Some examples embody not sitting or climbing on non secular monuments like partitions or statues, not getting in the best way of non secular processions, and being courteous when taking photographs. Public shows of affection, equivalent to kissing your associate, whereas within the temple can be frowned upon.
Now that you simply’ve received the fundamentals on etiquette, you simply must discover a temple! Leap on certainly one of our Bali excursions for an off-the-beaten-track journey that leaves the seashore resorts far behind.