Bali - Part Three - Besakiah Temple / besak_templ 3/12/01

Bali is sometimes called the "Island of 10.000 Temples" (or "Island of the Gods") and this is not exaggerated. First of all, every village has at least three temples: the Pura Desa, where religious festivals are celebrated, the Pura Dalem for the Goddess of Death (this is the place where the funeral cremation rites start), and the Pura Puseh that is dedicated to the Gods of Heaven. Temples are everywhere, on the mountains and in the valleys, in the ricefields (they are small shrines for the Rice Goddess), and on the seaside, and every temple is different. Each has it's own calendar of special days for ceremonies.

One thing you do not have to worry about in Bali: not seeing a ceremony.

You can write me at galadriel@torchery.com.