Galungan ceremonies are happening all over Bali right now, and the celebratory and sacred energy is palpable throughout.
While Bali is a culturally rich island, some ceremonies, rituals, and traditions are reserved for Balinese Hindus and local people.
Bali proudly shares its culture with people from all around the world. From temples to rituals, from ceremonies to cultural performances, anyone who wants to respectfully engage with Balinese culture can do so.
Every now and again, however, some ceremonies, rituals, and traditions take place within the privacy and sanctity of the community, meaning that temples and some sites of cultural importance are closed.
The Head of Purwayu Traditional Village, I Nyoman Jati, has confirmed that Sad Kahyangan Lempuyang Temple, also known as the Gates of Heaven Temple, will be closed to tourists for five days.
This is because thousands of pilgrims from across Bali will be making their way to the temple for ceremonies over the coming days. Not only is it Galungan and Kuningan, but Lempuyang Temple is also observing its Pidolan, also often referred to simply as odolan.
This ceremony is a celebration of the day of the temple’s founding and consecration; it’s often known affectionately as the temple’s birthday.
Jati confirmed that the decision was made after a deliberation involving relevant parties, including tour guides in the Lempuyang Temple area. The temple will reopen to non-worshippers and tourists on Monday, 22nd June. Jati confirmed, “This closure is to ensure the comfort of pilgrims visiting Lempuyang Temple during this Pujawali.”
He also reiterated that tour guides across Bali have been informed of the closure and, therefore, guides and private drivers will be offering alternative options for their guests over the coming days.
Jati noted that tourists and non-worshippers will be refused entry to the temple grounds until Monday and asked for understanding and cooperation.
“Usually, some tourists come because they don’t receive information that the Lempuyang tourist destination is closed. Later, there will be a Pecalang (traditional village leader) on duty to provide an explanation.”
Jati confirmed that the traditional village team has made a range of preparations to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims visiting Lempuyang Temple.
Parking arrangements have been set up, assisted by Pecalang and police officers. Tourists set to visit nearby attractions must also be aware of the chance of increased traffic and even road closures in the area to enable priority access to worshippers over the coming days.
Gates of Heaven Temple is the leading tourist attraction in Karangasem Regency and welcomes an average of 800 tourists a day, in addition to worshippers.
The temple shot to the top of travelers’ bucket lists during the rise of the first wave of travel influencers and content creation.
The gates at Lempuyang Temple offer a perfect view of Mount Agung on a clear day, and tourists travel from around the world to have their photo taken at the viewpoint. Tourists also love the camera trick used by tour guides, who hold a mirror to the base of the camera to make it look like the whole vista is reflected in water.
Galungan and Kuningan will be observed in Bali until 27th June 2026.
Tourists in Bali are invited to respect this deeply reverent time on the island. Galungan and Kuningan occur every 210 days in accordance with the traditional Balinese pawukon calendar.
The festival honours the triumph of dharma over adharma, good over evil.
One of the most impressive and easily identifiable elements of Galungan is the stunning penjor that has been installed outside every house and along the streets of every community in Bali.
These impressive and ornately decorated bamboo poles are made as offerings to the ancestors who are believed to visit earth from the cosmic realms during the 10 days between Galungan Day and Kuningan Day.
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.