Spiritual Significance of Ceremonies at Lempuyang Temple

Lempuyang Temple, one of Bali’s oldest and most revered temples, is a key spiritual destination for Balinese Hindus. The temple is part of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, or the “six sanctuaries of the world,” which are considered the island’s spiritual pillars. Ceremonies at Lempuyang are deeply rooted in ancient traditions and reflect the temple’s significance in maintaining harmony between the spiritual and physical realms. Central to this belief is the worship of Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa, the Supreme God in Balinese Hinduism, and the temple is also dedicated to Hyang Gni Jaya, the god of fire and purification. The ceremonies held at Lempuyang are meant to honor these deities, cleanse the soul, and bring peace and balance to the community.

The temple’s dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang, surrounded by lush forests and misty mountains, enhances the sacredness of its rituals. Visitors often witness locals engaging in prayers and offerings as part of these ceremonies, with the sound of traditional Balinese gamelan music filling the air. The rituals are a testament to the enduring devotion of the Balinese people and their connection to the natural world. Ceremonial offerings at Lempuyang include flowers, fruit, incense, and woven palm-leaf arrangements, which are presented in beautifully arranged baskets by worshippers seeking blessings.

Pujawali Ceremony: Celebrating Lempuyang’s Holiest Day

One of the most important ceremonies at Lempuyang Temple is the Pujawali ceremony, a religious event that takes place annually to mark the temple’s anniversary. Pujawali, which means “to offer” or “to worship,” is a multi-day event during which devotees gather to pay homage to the gods and ancestors, offering prayers for prosperity, protection, and guidance. The temple grounds become a vibrant scene of activity, with processions of worshippers carrying elaborately decorated offerings, including sacred symbols and heirlooms. Priests perform various rituals, reciting mantras and offering blessings with holy water, as the temple becomes an epicenter of spiritual energy.

During the Pujawali, the temple is adorned with traditional Balinese decorations, such as penjor (tall, curved bamboo poles adorned with offerings) that line the pathways. Colorful umbrellas and flags are placed around the temple as symbols of protection and reverence for the divine. Many Balinese Hindus make a pilgrimage to Lempuyang during Pujawali, climbing the 1,700 steps to the temple’s main shrine as an act of devotion. It is believed that participating in the Pujawali ceremony purifies one’s spirit and strengthens their connection to the divine forces that protect the island of Bali.

Other Notable Ceremonial Events and Practices

In addition to the Pujawali, Lempuyang Temple hosts several other important ceremonies throughout the year, reflecting the cyclical nature of Balinese spiritual life. The temple’s role as a place for spiritual cleansing means that many rituals focus on purification and renewal. One such event is the melasti ceremony, which is performed to purify sacred objects and temple grounds before major festivals. Worshippers walk in procession from the temple to a nearby water source, such as the ocean or river, where the purification rites are held. These ceremonies, while specific to the temple, are part of a broader Balinese Hindu tradition that emphasizes the importance of water in spiritual cleansing.

Another notable practice at Lempuyang is the ngaben or cremation ceremony, which involves the spiritual journey of the deceased. While this ceremony is not exclusive to the temple, it holds a special significance in such sacred locations. The belief is that Lempuyang Temple serves as a portal to the divine, and conducting such rituals here ensures that the spirits of the deceased can find peace and move on to the next stage of their existence.

Overall, the ceremonies at Lempuyang Temple are a vibrant and integral part of Bali’s religious landscape. They not only offer a glimpse into the island’s deep spiritual traditions but also provide an opportunity for devotees to connect with the divine in a sacred space that has been cherished for centuries.

Luhur Lempuyang Temple Tour

extra information

During your tour to Luhur Lempuyang Temple, your safety and convenience come first. Our vehicles are comfortable, air conditioned and we offer many extras to make your tour perfect. During our tours we provide sarongs for the visit to the temples and we have water bottles available. Our drivers are experienced and know Bali like the back of their hand.

All our tours are customizable to your personal needs and you can also hire one of our local drivers for a fully customized tour. Our drivers go to great lengths to give you the experience you’re looking for.

Sit back and enjoy your Balinese experience with a local safe driver.

Sama sama tours is a local family business with over 20 years’ experience. We have the best drivers who know all the hidden gems and can drive you safely around our beautiful island.

• Family owned business
• Safe drivers
• Honest drivers, transparent fees
• Airport transfers
• Half day tours
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• Customize tours

We are looking forward to show you the beauty of our island!

Luhur Lempuyang Temple Tour location

Luhur Lempuyang Temple is located in Banjar Purwa Ayu, Tribuana village, Abang Subdistrict, Karangasem regency

Bali Temple tour

dresscode & etiquette

Bali is known for its many beautiful temples. Most tourists will therefore visit various temples in Bali. The beauty of visiting the temples is the combination of culture, history and the beautiful sculptures and architecture. Each temple is more beautiful than the next, with impressive designs and beautiful details.

When visiting the temples, it is good to follow local etiquette. An important part of this is the dress code. A number of general rules apply to the dress code of the temples.

dresscode bali temples

Make sure your shoulders are covered and preferably wear long-sleeved clothing
For example, a loose-fitting blouse with long sleeves, or a scarf around your shoulders and arms (selendang). It is not allowed to wear spaghetti strap clothes and sleeveless tops when entering a temple. In addition, a low cleavage is also not done. The clothing should not be translucent and should not have holes.

Make sure your knees are covered
Sarong or clothing that covers the knees. In many temples a sarong is mandatory, which you can often rent at the entrance. It is not allowed to wear shorts, short skirts, leggings, denim and sportswear. Again, the clothing must not be translucent and must not contain any holes.

Dressing advice for temple visits for women
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved top and/or a scarf that neatly covers your shoulders and arms. When a sarong is not required, you can wear a maxi dress or jumpsuit, for example – as long as you make sure your shoulders are covered and the clothing is not revealing.

Dressing advice for temple visits for men
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved shirt. For men, the shoulders and legs must also be covered up to at least the knees. Where a sarong is not obligatory, a neat shirt that covers the knees will suffice in combination with a neat shirt that covers the shoulders.

Footwear
Sandals or closed shoes are sometimes allowed, but you may also be asked to enter the temple barefoot. As you will notice, the footwear is also often taken off when entering shops and homes.

Accessories
It is not proper to wear a hat and sunglasses when entering a temple. Turn it off as soon as you enter the temple.

etiquette bali temples

Other Bali Temple etiquettes
The Balinese temples are very sacred places for the local people and so it is important to respect their rules. In addition to the dress code, there are a number of important things when entering these sacred temples:

Taking pictures
It is allowed to take pictures at most temples, however it is not appreciated if you take pictures directly in front of or near the worshippers. When the Balinese are engaged in a ceremony, an appropriate distance is appreciated. Drones are not welcome.

Offerings
In many places in Bali, including at the temples, small offerings (canang sari) are placed. Much attention is paid to these offerings and they are very important to the Balinese Hindu community. You will also see that the offerings are made by Balinese in the traditional attire. You are not supposed to step on these sacrifices or walk over them. Make sure to walk around the offerings at a decent distance.

Menstruating
Something that is also important in the Balinese Hindu culture is that a woman who is menstruating is not allowed to enter a temple. Of course this is not easy to control, but if you want to respect the Balinese culture, women who are menstruating should not enter the temple.

Feet
Feet are considered unclean in the Balinese Hindu community. Therefore, according to the culture, it is important that the feet do not point to the altar and are not held high in the air.

Respect the Balinese culture
The Balinese temples are very important and are used extensively for ceremonies and prayers. Give space to the locals and make sure you don’t cause a nuisance. Show respect, don’t swear, do not enter areas closed to tourists and do not make noise in these sacred places. General matters as they apply worldwide in holy places include: not standing/climbing/sitting on the religious monuments, not disturbing the ceremonies and avoiding expressions of affection (kissing etc). 

Learn more about Balinese temples.