Bali (4) – Pura Taman Ayun

Given its roots as a Hindu kingdom, Bali is synonymous with temples, and any visit to Bali would definitely include stops to the island’s most famous temples of the lot – Uluwatu and Tanah Lot.

Aside from Uluwatu and Tanah Lot though, there are a myriad other temples worth visiting. Our first temple stop was Pura Taman Ayun (Temple of the Beautiful Gardens) which was built in 1634 by the founder of the Mengwi kingdom.

Generally, every temple complex has the same layout, i.e. a forecourt, a central courtyard and an inner courtyard. This is the entrance to Pura Taman Ayun’s central courtyard.

One of the shrines inside the central courtyard.

Access to the inner courtyard is restricted to special ceremonial dates only, which are calculated according to the local religious calendar.

However, there was a walkway circling the inner courtyard which allowed us to have a peek into it.

A view of the inner courtyard’s shrines with their tiered roofs. All in odd numbers – seven, nine or eleven.

Yi’s not very sure whether if she would like to be friends with this statue.

A good write-up about this temple may be found here. Next up, another temple!