When people are thinking about Bali, they usually think about the famous and amazing landscapes: endless rice fields, beautiful beaches of white sand, amazing surf spots, huge temples, mountains and a lot of arts frequently performed by Balinese people: and so on.
Bali is a destination that has so much to offer if you try to discover its culture deeper. It is a place where you can combine every pleasure while discovering an extraordinary culture and the value of human kindness that no one can imagine.
The main characteristic of Balinese people is the art to combine discretion and curiosity over people they meet. Foreigners are really well-welcomed by the local population who are exceptionally warm and respectful. This kindness is due to the influence of their religious culture which is an important part of their daily habits. The religion is very important for most of the Balinese people, they are really diligent with all the daily offerings and ceremonies reported on their religious schedule. That can explain why the island is called “The Island of Gods”: religion is everywhere, visible in the streets and anchored in daily life.
The Balinese Hindu religion is not quite the same as the one in India. In Bali, this religion is adapted and inspired by the influence of the ancient indigenous beliefs. In the traditional villages called “Bali Aga”, this indigenous tradition is more existing. The religion keeps close links with nature and the forebears. Each element (tree, forest, rice field…) is the property of a spirit, honored by an altar where many offerings are given.
Each village has 3 temples, one dedicated to the forebears, one dedicated to the death that keeps the cemetery, and the last one called “Pura Desa” which is the spiritual heart of the village. In total, Bali counts no less than 5617 temples.
In each temple, you could notice a fabric with black and white tiles that decorate the statues. For Balinese Hinduism, the world is a place where good and evil live together, a balance between these two is important. This fabric is the symbol of this balance, it progressively becomes grey with the junction of the two colors.
