Mystical 9th-Century Bali Temple Highlights Island’s Ancient History For Tourists

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Tourists visiting Bali on the lookout for a quiet temple to explore should take a moment to consider the ancient Pura Kehen in Bangli Regency.

This 9th-century temple is visited by a fraction of the number of visitors seen by the island’s most famous temples, and has so much cultural heritage to explore.

Not only is Pura Kehen visually stunning, its history is utterly fascinating too. This local temple, still visited by local worshippers multiple times a day, is open to both domestic and international tourists.

Built in the 9th Century, Pura Kehen was formally known as Hyang Kehen or Hyang Api, as it is a temple dedicated to the Balinese god of fire. The temple is also a royal temple, and was long one of the most important sites within the kingdom of Bangli. 

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The temple complex spans over a considerable distance and, of course, features all the essential elements of a Balinese temple. Visitors are always wowed by the temple’s Meru, which is a multi-story thatched stupa that symbolizes the sacred Mount Agung.

The Meru at Pura Kehen is one of the most impressive in the regency, standing at an impressive 11-storey high. Within the grounds, visitors will also find the Bale of Pura Kehen, a traditional open pavilion used for communal worship, meditation, and gatherings.

The bale area is surrounded by a small pond and shaded by native trees, making it the perfect space for quiet contemplation and reflection, whether visiting for worship or cultural curiosity.

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What visitors cannot fail to notice during a visit to Pura Kehen is how every corner of the temple grounds features incredible stone carvings and statues of Balinese Hindu gods.

Such carvings also flank the 38-step entrance to the temple complex itself. The carvings depict sagas and stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata that have amazingly stood the test of time and showcase some of the finest examples of Balinese stonemasonry in the area. 

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Tourists should be sure to take time to explore the outer courtyard, too, within which they will find the most magical Banyan Tree.

In Balinese culture, the Banyan Tree is believed to be a deeply spiritual and powerful tree, and the Banyan at Pura Kehen is believed to be over 400 years old. 

While there is technically no set fee to visit Pura Kehen, donations for the upkeep and preservation of the temple are greatly appreciated and best given in cash. As is the case with all temples in Bali, both visitors and worshippers are expected to honour temple etiquette.

This includes both men and women wearing a sarong and sash, as well as a modest shirt. Unlike many of the more frequently visited temples in Bali, sarongs and sashes are not always available for rent or borrowing at Pura Kehen. Therefore, it is advisable for visitors to bring their own. 

Pura Kehen can be reached in a 40-minute drive from central Ubud, and most visitors will stay around an hour. A visit to Pura Kehen makes for a fantastic historical and cultural stop off on a day trip tour of Bangli Regency.

Top attractions and must-visit sites in Bangli Regency include the multi-award-winning Penglipuran Village, which is just a short 10-minute drive away. Tourists visiting Penglipruan Village are highly advised to also schedule time to wander through the ancient bamboo forest that surrounds the community.

For a cool off in the late afternoon, Bangli is conveniently home to some of Bali’s best waterfalls. Goa Raja Waterfall is a seriously impressive cascade, as are Krisik Waterfall and Tukad Cepung Waterfall; take your pick!