Nowhere represents two sides to Bali quite as starkly as Pura Lempuyang Luhur. While this is one of the most important religious sites on the Hindu-majority island and sees pilgrims regularly taking on the trek to the main mountainside temple here, it’s also a top Instagram spot for visitors who want the perfect vacation photo.
It’s both culturally and religiously important, as well as a place of incredible natural beauty. And it’s not hard to see why so many people want to make the trip here, whatever the reason.
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Visiting the Pura Lempuyang Luhur Temple
History and features of Pura Lempuyang Luhur in Bali
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is one of the holiest temples in Bali — if not the holiest religious site on the island. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang and is considered one of the six most important Balinese Hindu temples (called Sad Kahyangan Jagat).
Interestingly, this isn’t just one temple but a whole complex of temples clustered together along a path that leads up to the summit. The highest altitude temple here sits at 1,175 meters above sea level, close to the peak of the mountain itself.
The main temple enshrines the god Ishvara, a deity who according to legend guards the east.
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is actually thought to be one of the oldest temples on Bali and is thought to predate many other Hindu structures on the island. This suggests that there has been a veneration of Mount Lempuyang possibly before Hinduism arrived.
The temple complex is laid out along the path that leads up the mountain, and is arranged in three sections according to Balinese cosmology; the most sacred part is where the main part of the temple can be found. This area consists of an outer sanctum, a middle sanctum, and an inner sanctum.
It’s at the entrance to the outer sanctum that you’ll find the most iconic structure of Pura Lempuyang Luhur: its white-washed candi bentar or split gateway. This is known as the Gates of Heaven.
What to see at Pura Lempuyang Luhur
Gates of Heaven
This particularly large example of a Balinese candi bentar is what draws many visitors to Pura Lempuyang Luhur. These gates have found fame on Instagram, leading to crowds of people hiking up the mountain in order to snap their pictures in front of them. They perfectly frame Mount Agung in the distance, which makes the photo opportunity even more dramatic.
Photography here has become such a huge part of visiting people who wait for hours at a time to take their picture. And while you may have seen images of the gates reflected in water, this is not real — this is a photographic trick using a pocket mirror.
Main temple
The so-called Gates of Heaven lie just at the start of the Pura Lempuyang Luhur complex. To get to the lower temple, you’ll have to climb a set of three stone staircases, each lined with naga (mythological serpentine monsters). At the top of these staircases, you’ll pass through ornately carved paduraksa (gates with a tower-like roof).
From this temple, it’s a further trek up the side of the mountain past a number of smaller shrines and temples, before you arrive at the main temple proper.
Doing this can actually take around four hours, there and back. But try not to complain. Locals have it that if you complain, you will not make it to the top. Once you reach the highest temple, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding mountains, and the serenity of the sacred spot itself.
Note that there are many families of monkeys that live in the mountain. They may not be as forthcoming as those found around Uluwatu, for example, but they can still be a nuisance to visitors with food.
Practical information for visiting Pura Lempuyang Luhur in Bali
What to wear at the Pura Lempuyang Luhur Temple
Being one of the most important religious sites for Balinese Hindus, Pura Lempuyang Luhur has a dress code that you should follow when visiting. This means covering up your shoulders and legs and making sure that your midriff is also covered. Those who don’t have appropriate attire will be given a sarong to tie around their waist.
Where is Pura Lempuyang Luhur (and how to get there)
You’ll find this important religious site in Tri Buana, Kecamatan Abang part of the Karangasem Regency way out in eastern Bali.
Make sure you plan your trip the day before you travel (at least), as it can take a while to reach from various popular locations on the island. From Ubud, for example, it’s a two-hour drive while from Seminyak it’ll take around two hours and 15 minutes by road to travel there.
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is not the easiest to reach in Bali. In fact, getting there can be a bit of a challenge. One option is to drive yourself, either by scooter or car, but the parking situation can be very limited.
The most convenient way to get there is to opt to travel in a taxi, or to hire a driver for the day to take you there (and other hard-to-reach destinations in Bali).
From the parking, there’s a fleet of jeeps that transport visitors along the uphill road to the entrance of the temple. This costs 20,000 RP each way.
When to go to the Pura Lempuyang Luhur
Because of the popularity of the temple, it’s best to head here earlier in the morning to avoid crowds. It’s also good if you want to make the hike to the main temple, as temperatures will still be relatively cool compared to the highs of the middle of the day.
Opening times at the Pura Lempuyang Luhur
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entrance Fees for the Pura Lempuyang Luhur
To enter Pura Lempuyang Luhur there’s no official fee, but a donation is advised/asked for; this is anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 RP. There’s also a fee for parking, which is 2,000 RP per car or scooter.