World Famous Cultural Bali Attraction To Be Closed To Tourists

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One of Bali’s most spiritually significant temples will be closed to tourists for the next five days.

Pura Luhur Lempuyang Temple, also known as the Gates of Heaven Temple in Bali’s Karangasem Regency, will be closed from the 23rd – the 27th of April for religious ceremonies. 

While many of Bali’s temples are world-famous, and tourists travel from around the world to visit them, access to the sacred sites is not always a given. Bali’s temples are deeply spiritually important sites and access for Balinese Hindu worshippers always remains the top priority.

Ceremonies and rituals are held at all temples throughout the year, some of which hold such spiritual significance that only Balinese Hindu worshippers are allowed to be present. 

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Pura Luhur Lempuyang Temple, which is best known to foreigners as the Gates of Heaven Temple, will be closed for five days for ceremonies. The Head of Purwayu Traditional Village, where Pura Luhur Lempuyang Temple is located, spoke to reporters about the five-day closure for tourist and non-worshipper access. 

Nyoman Jati explained, “Our tourist visits are close so that the people can focus on doing their prayers.” He confirmed that the closure has also been communicated with travel agents and tour guides across the island who will be adjusting their guiding itineraries accordingly over the coming days. Jati added, “I hope that the entire series of pujawali (ceremonial prayers and offerings) at Lempuyang Temple can run safely and smoothly.”

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As of 28th April Pura Luhur Lempuyang Temple will once again welcome non-Balinese HIndu visitors to the temple complex. All visitors to the temple, in fact, any temple in Bali, must adhere to the strict dress code, irrespective of their faith.

All temple visitors must wear a sarong and sash and must wear a modest t-shirt or shirt on top. While tourists are welcome to wear their own sarongs and sash, all major temples in Bali have sarongs and sashes to rent or borrow out, which are included in the entry ticket price. 

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Pura Luhur Lempuyang Temple is one of the most famous temples in Bali with international tourists. The temple shot to international fame after the first wave of social media travel influencers posted photos posed between the temple gates which, on a clear day, offer incredible views of the summit of Bali’s sacred Mount Agung. 

Tourists in Bali should also be aware that Mount Agung is closed to the public until 3rd May 2025. All trekking routes and public access to Mount Agung for both tourists and Indoennisan nationals have been prohibited between the 6th of April and the 3rd of May.

The closure of the landscape is so that ceremonies for Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh can be carried out at Pura Agung Besakih, which is also known as the Mother Temple. 

While the biggest ceremony for Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh was held on the 12th of April at Pura Agung Besakih, smaller ceremonies and rituals will be carried out until the 3rd of May. In Balinese Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh means ‘All the Gods Descend’.

Mount Agung is regarded as the home of the Gods, and so by ensuring there are no humans on the landscape, the Gods can clearly descend during this time. 

The Head of the Besakih Traditional Village, Jro Mangku Widiartha, told reporters “We are closing this climbing activity to minimize things that we do not want during the work, so we have decided to temporarily close the climbing routes to Mount Agung.”

Between now and 3rd May 2025 it is illegal, within provincial law, for tourists to step foot on Mount Agung, as stipulated in the Governor’s Circular Letter Number 08 of 2025.

Any foreigner who is found to have disobeyed this closure will face legal action and prompt deportation from the island, as well as footing the cost of any specific religious cleansing ceremonies that would have to take place as a result of their actions. 

Mount Batur, in Kintamani, remains open for tourists, and treks, jeep tours and sunrise experiences are all available to book throughout the year; hiring a local tour guide is mandatory.