7 Sea Temples of Beautiful Bali : The Island Paradise Of 1 , 000 Temples Beautiful Bali has been called the famed island of the Gods . With its varied landscape of sandy beaches , hills and mountains , rugged coastlines and cliffs , gorgeous waterfalls , as well as lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides , some people claim that Bali is a paradise on earth . But Bali also has a colorful and deeply spiritual culture , which is why it is known as the “ island of a thousand temples . ” There are sea temples , directional temples and so many others so that 1 , 000 is an understatement . In fact , everywhere you go , you see a temple . “ There are so many temples that the Government does not bother to count them . ” There are also monkeys guarding the temples , monkeys in the rain forest , and even bats in a cave temple . Here ’ s a look at the sea temples , some wonderfully cute wildlife like monkeys , and some other stunning temples on the paradise on earth known as beautiful Bali . After being inspired by a gorgeous photo of Tanah Lot , a sea temple in Bali , we looked up more information . There are seven sea temples , but in trying to find them all , we kept bumping into images of directional temples . Then even more temples , until we found out that beautiful Bali is known as the “ island of a thousand temples . ” According to the CIA World Fact Book , Indonesia is “ slightly less than three times the size of Texas . ” Bali is the largest tourist destination in the whole country . . . and everywhere you go there is a temple . “ A Bali sunset and Tanah Lot Temple , ” one of seven sea temples . Photo # 1 by Fabio Gismondi Uluwatu Temple is situated at an altitude of 1997 meters ( 6551 . 8 feet ) above sea level . It is also a sea temple . In front of the temple there is a small forest called kekeran base , serves as a support of the sanctity of the temple . Each of the seven Balinese sea temples are said to be visible from the next , forming a ‘ chain ’ around the coast of Bali . Many of the most important sea temples are along the south - west coast of the island . Photo # 2 by Panorama Wallpaper Mystical setting at Ulun Danu Temple complex . Ulun means heart , Danu means lake . This Temple is dedicated to the Goddess of The lake . This lake supplies water to the rice field . Photo # 5 by Bali Tour Package According to the photographer , This is “ the mother temple or Pura Besakih on the slopes of Volcanic mountain “ Mount Agung ” in eastern Bali . The largest and Holiest temple of Bali . This temple is made up of twenty - two shrines sitting on parallel ridges . ” Photo # 6 by Suresh Eswaran “ Bali Tanah Lot . Taken at arround 19 . 00 , long exposure 30 seconds . No , that ’ s not a dead pixel , but they ’ re some stars : D , ” wrote the photographer . This is one of the hotspots for tourists and photographers from all across the globe . Photo # 7 by Bram Vera Family Temple Pulaki at Pulaki , another one of the seven sea temples at Bali . In explaining why Bali is the island of a thousand temples , it was said that a mere thousand is a tremendous understatement . “ It is not surprising that Bali is called the island of the thousand temples . Everywhere you see a temple . There are so many temples that the Government does not bother to count them . There are small temples , very small temples with only a very few shrines ; there are large temples , very large temples with more than 50 shrines , such as the Temple of Besakih , the mother temple of Bali . ” Photo # 8 by verarfujastawan Pura Gere Perancak , stone crocodiles at another one of seven Balinese sea temples . Pura is another name for temple . More explaining Balinese temples : Bali . “ There are even lonely shrines on the oddest places where one does not expect them at all . Every family , every compound , every clan or society has a temple ; you mention a society or organization and has a temple . In the compound where the family lives there is the family temple . The desa , village itself must have at least three temples . ” Photo # 9 by auboutdumonde Majestic cliff and Uluwatu , one of seven sea temples . Each “ clan has its own temple . Subak or irrigation organization has a temple , called Pura Subak or Pura Bedugul . Every place where the water to irrigate the rice field is divided has a temple or at least a shrine . Bali has a whole has a temple , the pura Besakih or the mother temple , where every sect and nobility have their own temple . The balinese are worshippers of ancestors . The family does this in the family temple or house temple . ” Photo # 11 by GeoffClarke The name Rambut Siwi is closely related to the holy journey of Hindu prophet Danghyang Nirartha in the sixteenth century . It one of seven sea temples in Bali . Rambut Siwi is situated on a cliff with a breathtaking view of rice fields on one side and the black sand beaches on the other side , with the island of Java in the distant background . Visitors can see traditional salt making facilities not far from the shrine at Pura Rambut Siwi . “ At This site Niratha is said to have made a gift of a lock of his hair , which was worshiped . Rambut Siwi translates as ‘ worship of the hair ’ and the tale is reminiscent of the Buddhist story of Gautama giving eight hairs to Tapussa and Bhallika , which are now enshrined at Shwedagon . ” Photo # 12 by Bali Tourism Board Pura Sakenan , on a Serangan Island , a small island in Bali located between Benoa and Sanur . This is how the temple appeared 100 years ago , as this photo was taken between 1910 - 1920 . Photo # 13 by Tropenmuseum of the Royal Tropical Institute Bathing in the healing waters of Tirta Empul temple , considered “ one of the six most important temples in Bali . ” It is not , however , a sea temple . Pura Tirta Empul dates back to 926 AD . Visitors are allowed to take a bath in the pond and the unstoppable water flow is believed to be able to cure any kinds of diseases . The photographer called this “ Taste the holiness . ” Photo # 15 by Shreyans Bhansali Elephant Cave , Ubud , Bali Indonesia . Photo # 16 by Wallpapers Travel “ Taman Ayun literally translated means beautiful garden , and this temple , situated in the village of Mengwi , 18 km west of Denpasar , is indeed one of Bali ’ s most picturesque temples . Its stately proportioned courtyards and large surrounding moat were built in the year 1634 by the King of Mengwi , I Gusti Agung Anom . ” Photo # 18 by Bali Tourism Board Perancak is where Nirartha landed in Bali in 1546 . Photo # 9 showed the limestone crocodiles of Pura Gede Perancak temple , but here are dragons in the same temple , one of the seven sea temples . According to WhyGo , “ This is an important temple for Balinese people . The temple was built in the 16 th Century by a Javanese priest named Nirartha . During the Galungan festival , particularly the closing day of Kuningan , the temple is very busy . Pura Sakenan is a public temple , meaning Balinese people from all over the island can come and receive blessings . ” Photo # 19 by eklablog Rice terrace in Bali near temple . The tremendous terraced rice fields are famous . Photo # 20 by Indonesia wallpapers Pathway to Small Island Floating on the Sea . The photographer wrote , “ The word of Tanah Lot is consisted of two words that are Tanah word interpreted as a reef looking like gili or isle . Lot or Lod word has meaning the sea . So Tanah Lot is meaning the small island floating on the sea . The location is now called as Tanah Lot has been used at a Megalithic period as a place that looked into holy , proven from the existence of menhir . Pursuant to environmental condition , hence the structure of Tanah Lot Temple is built at irregular reef plain of its angle which is only consisted of one plain yard as Jeroan . ” Photo # 21 by Eustaquio Santimano The day ends at Tanah Lot Temple . Simply stunning sunset . Photo # 22 by Dennis Stauffer Pura Ulun Danu Bratan , a Hindu temple in Bali , Indonesia . It is part of the temple complex , at the edge of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul . Wikipedia states , “ Water temples serve the entire region in the outflow area ; downstream there are many smaller water temples that are specific to each irrigation association . Built in 1663 , this temple is used for offerings ceremony to the Balinese water , lake and river goddess Dewi Danu , due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali . The 11 stories of pelinggih meru dedicated for Shiva and his consort Parvathi . Buddha statue also present inside this temple . Lake Bratan is known as the Lake of Holy Mountain due to the fertility of this area . Located 1200 m above sea level , it has a cold tropical climate . ” Photo # 23 by Tropical Island The tide is high at Pura Tanah Lot . Photo # 24 by tripletrouble Atmosphere of the Past . Traditional Farmer near Rambut Siwi . The photographer added , “ The above atmosphere are rarely found in fields now . Today they are surrounded by mostly residential , and residential villas . The use of tractors , etc also farmers ’ associations get diminishing . In the past all are friends with nature , fresh air , natural aura filled with peace . ” Photo # 25 by I Nengah Januartha Rice terrace located near a temple . Photo # 26 by goodwp “ Spiritual Journey to Pemuteran Pulaki Temple , ” one of the seven sea temples . Photo # 27 by campahcumampah “ The sacred hot springs ‘ Air Panas ’ of Banjar are set in the midst of the jungle in a beautifully landscaped tropical garden , close to Lovina Beach , and it consist of three public and one private pool , ” wrote the photographer . “ The sulphuric water is of volcanic origin and has an agreeable warm temperature of 37 degrees Celcius , ideal for people suffering from rheumatic diseases . The hot spring water gushes from the mouths of eight stone carved naga ( mythical , dragon - like creatures ) into the oblong shaped upper pool . ” Photo # 28 by Nyoman Yudiastrawan The Sea Temple of Pura Luhur at Uluwatu in south Bali is perched on very impressive cliffs . Built in the 11 th century , it is also one of nine directional temples meant to protect Bali from evil spirits . Photo # 29 by chensiyuan & # 30 by Sean McGrath Bali Tanah lot Sunset , perhaps the prettiest of the sea temples . Photo # 31 by Kenny ( zoompict ) Teo Cave of the ‘ Holy Snake ’. The photographer wrote , “ Tanah Lot Puri – Puri meaning Temple in Balinese is one of Balis most sacred Sea Temples dedicated to the Hindu guardian spirits of the sea . It is said to be protected from evil spirits by the sea snakes that ‘ apparently ’ inhabit the caves surrounding . ” Photo # 32 by Mel Travelled Thousands of Fruit Bats pile onto each other on the cliffs and caves overlooking Tanah Lot Temple in Canggu , Bali , Indonesia . In fact , there are so many bats that you might think this is a bat cave . . . Photo # 33 by Mikaku But this is the bat cave at the ancient Bat Temple , also known as Pura Goa Lawah . According to the photographer , Goa Lawah Temple “ is one in six representative temples in Bali . This temple is famous as ‘ Bat ’ s cave temple ’. It is a very old temple said that Saint Mpu Kuturan built in 1007 . This photo was taken circa 1930 . Several thousand bats are flying about in the cave . There is a legend that this cave continues to Pura Besakih . Photo # 34 by Underground PFV Uitgeverij Barong Dance at Goa Lawah aka the Bat Temple . Photo # 35 by Ketut Sukandia Huge stone elephant at entrance of Goa Lawa . Photo # 36 by Viajar 24 h . com Natural bridge to sea temple at Tanah Lot . Photo # 37 by Mutante Pura Tanah Lot is probably one of the most spectacular temples , sitting atop the majestic cliffs overlooking the surf at Uluwatu . Luhur means “ something of divine origin ” and “ Uluwatu ” can be broken into “ ulu ” which means “ land ’ s end ” and “ watu ” means “ rock . ” Photo # 38 by Jefferson Kasan Hidayat Ramayana Dance & The Circle of Fire . one photographer explained that “ the highlight of the kecak performance at Uluwatu is when Hanuman , the white monkey , is blessed by a real priest while he resides in the magical circle of fire . ” Photo # 39 by Mat McDermott The Sacred Monkeys guarding Uluwatu Temple . one of the photographers noted , “ We were warned numerous times as we arrived that the monkeys here were quite aggressive , moreso than the guys at Ubud ’ s Monkey Forest . These ones will pull the glasses right off your face if you ’ re not careful ! To be honest , though , they ’ re really just interested in anything that might be tasty and if you exercise a bit of common sense they won ’ t bother with you . ” Photo # 40 by Schristia & # 41 by William Cho & # 42 by Shaadi Faris Gitgit Waterfall , Lovina , Bali , is the highest waterfall in Bali with a height of about 35 meters . Unsurprisingly , there is also a temple at Gitgit . Photo # 43 by Schristia Frozen Dragon Stare : “ These are statues of the Komodo Dragons looking at a river in the Monkey Forest in Ubud , Bali , ” wrote the photographer . Photo # 44 by Caneles Right : Sangeh Bali Monkey Forest . Left : Monkey in Monkey Forest perched on a demon . “ Nice Meal , But For Who ? ” asked the photographer . Photo # 45 by Bali Tourism Board & # 46 by Caneles Balinese temples , Dalem Agung Padantegal Temple in Monkey Forest , Ubud , Bali , Indonesia . Photo # 47 by っ ( Rather ) Right : Hindu Cremation in Ubud . Left : Naga Bandha , Royal Cremation Peliatan , Ubud , Bali . Photo # 48 by Davenbelle & # 49 by I Nengah Januartha Legend tells that the God Indra once tapped the springs during his battle with evil Mayadanawa . Following Mayadanawa ’ s wicked deed of poisoning nearby river and making hundreds of Indra ’ s retailers sick , the god created a spring of pure and sacred water to sure them . Tirta Empul temple was built around the springs and special bathing pools . Photo # 50 by Bali Tourism Board Mystic Bali . “ Yesterday is history , tomorrow is a mystery , and today is a gift . ” Photo # 51 by Dennis Stauffer