Month: August 2022

Incredible Rice Terraces in Bali

On By namitadashIn places, Travel, Uncategorized2 Comments

An ideal vacation to Bali includes strolling along picture-perfect beaches, visiting temples, indulging in delectable cuisine, taking in colourful ceremonies, listening to the roar of waterfalls and taking in stunning scenery. Not many people know about the stunning & mesmerising view of rice paddies. No matter how many you’ve already seen, Bali’s dreamy rice terraces will win your heart.

We arrived at Jaltiuwih Rice terrace around noon and it was raining quite heavily. Though the view was great, the incessant rains were making it tough to step out of the car. We waited for around an hour at one of the lovely restaurants and had lunch in the meanwhile. The rain finally stopped and we were all excited and charged up. A small alley across the paddy fields was inviting us to explore this lovely view closely. We travelled the red route through the rice fields, passing a few farmers and cows that were taking a break in the nearby covered shacks. We eventually arrived at a paved road from which we could capture stunning images of the majestic rice terraces and the distant, dramatic views of Mount Batukaru.

Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

A staple cuisine in Bali, rice is closely associated with Balinese culture. The rice growth cycle very much establishes the framework for traditional Balinese living. The Balinese people consider rice to be a gift from God and a representation of life. The three types of rice grown on Bali’s stunning rice terraces—white rice, black rice, and red rice—have been produced by the Balinese people for countless generations. White rice is the most widely available, whereas red rice is considerably more expensive and unusual. My freind bought samples of each type of rice from the local farmer.

Asia is home to many beautiful rice fields, but what sets the Balinese rice terraces apart is the Subak irrigation system, which was even added to the UNESCO list of world historic monuments. The Tri Hita Karana philosophy, which is a part of Balinese culture, is manifested in the Subak system. 

This way of thinking permeates practically every element of daily life in Bali, including Balinese architecture, daily rituals and offerings, and the subak water system. Agriculture crops thrive in Bali’s fertile soil, which is the perfect combination with the island’s humid tropical environment. The subak method, which integrates spiritual, natural, and social aspects, is used to water all of these crops.

Although the Jatiluwih rice terraces are not yet as popular with tourists as Tegalalang is (the eateries and the marked trails indicate they will soon become one of the most popular rice fields in Bali), early access is usually advised. However, you shouldn’t worry too much because, because of their size, you can probably still find some peace and quiet even in the middle of the day.

We still have a few Bali rice fields on our bucket list for our subsequent trip because there are so many beautiful ones that it is difficult to see them all. Particularly the one in West Bali.

Gates of Heaven : Most Instagrammable Place in Bali

On By namitadashIn places, Travel, Uncategorized16 Comments

You’ve certainly seen photos of this location on Instagram, where the gate and clouds appear to be floating above water in a beautiful mirror-like reflection known as the “Gates of Heaven.” I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there is no pool of water. All of those reflection images were staged using a pocket mirror. A clever local sits here all day and takes the identical photo of each person who who pays and is willing to wait for at least an hour as there is a long queue to get this intagrammable spot picture.

The gate is also referred to in the west as “The Gates of Heaven,” and the entire setting is quite lovely. Approximately two hours from Ubud and two and a half hours from Canggu, the gates and its temple are situated in the eastern highlands of Mount Lempuyang.

Although the complex contains 7 distinct locations or temples, most visitors only throng to the “Gates of Heaven.”

The above photograph shows the temple bang opppsoite of the famous “gate” and the stairs take you up to the temple. The other temples are also quite lovely, so it is absolutely worthwhile to see them as well. You must ascend 1,700 steps to reach the mountaintop location of the steepest one. We did go and offered prayers and must say it was worth it.

Little bit of History

As per wikipedia, the establishment of places of worship around Mount Lempuyang is believed to predate the majority of Hindu temples on the island of Bali.The puras of Mount Lempuyang, represented by Pura Lempuyang Luhur, the highest temple in the area, is grouped one complex of pura which represents the Pura Sad Kahyangan Luhur Lempuyang. The temple groups are considered as part of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, or the “six sanctuaries of the world”, the six holiest places of worship on Bali. According to Balinese beliefs, they are the pivotal points of the island and are meant to provide spiritual balance to Bali.The temple groups of Mount Lempuyang is also one of the group of temples in Bali known as Pura Kahyangan Padma Bhuwana. Each of the temple in the Pura Kahyangan Padma Bhuwana marked each of the eight cardinal directions. Pura Lempuyang Luhur represents the direction of east (purwa) and the color white. This direction is associated with the domain of Balinese the god Iswara.

Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang was restored in 2001.