Highlights of Lempuyang Temple
While avid hikers will love the blend of mountain scenery and cultural highlights that Bali’s eastern region has to offer, those unwilling to take on the ascent up to the peak at Lempuyang can still enjoy the splendid views at the grand Pura Penataran Agung temple at the foot of the mountain. It’s the first to come into view on the pilgrimage and offers an impressive sight with its towering dragon staircases – perfect for photos.
The best views are higher up the stairs, where you can see all across the green forested slopes and to neighbouring Mount Agung, Bali’s highest peak and home of Besakih Temple.
What to Expect?
Pura Lempuyang Luhur, also known as Lempuyang Temple, is located on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang.
This is one of the important nine directional temples on the island of Bali, where you can locate the famous Gateway of Heaven and enjoy amazing sunset views at dusk due to its high mountain slope location.
The temple is divided into two sections: the lower level and the upper level. The latter is well worth the trip up the apparently endless staircase — this is a temple with a view.
Lempuyang Temple Opening Hours
Pura Lempuyang Temple is open to visitors everyday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., however it is open for worship 24 hours a day. The temple’s unique setting and breathtaking views are unquestionably appealing to the fit and willing.
How to get photos of the Gates of Heaven, Bali
The manner in which the photograph is taken is rather belligerent. There is a small group of picture assistants, native Balinese folks, who will take your camera and phone and photograph you.
They say “next!” after each photo is taken, so you know when to move into the next posture. There are only about 10 seconds in between each round of “next”.
It’s both impressive and terrifying at the same time. It’s impressive that the locals established such an efficient method, but it’s horrible that such a pointless Instagram exercise takes place in a temple. These assistants work all day in the scorching sun to take these shots, so tip them generously. There is no specific charge; they will accept anything you offer.
You have about three or four different positions before they tell your group to move on. But if you keep going, there’s nothing they can do to stop you. You can also perform individual pictures and then regroup at the end for some group shots.
HOW TO GET PHOTOS WITHOUT QUEUEING
If you wish to picture the Bali “Gates of Heaven” without waiting in line for hours, stand near the photographers in the center of the plaza and be ready to shoot as soon as one group leaves. You’ll only have a few seconds between groups to take photos (literally less than a minute), but if you’re ready to snap away as soon as one group walks away, you should be able to capture an unobstructed shot of the Bali Gate.
You might even be able to grab a snapshot of yourself with the Bali Gates of Heaven in the background if you stand slightly ahead of the group of photo assistants and ask a buddy to swiftly snap a well-angled shot. Anyone standing between the gates in the backdrop will most likely be blocked by your body as well.
Getting to Lempuyang Temple
Motorcycle taxis operated by locals can take you up where the asphalt ends at the Penataran Agung (for a negotiable fee). They are convenient for those who wish to start their climb quicker, shortening walking times from the parking area. After enjoying the views at this first stop, the main site of Lempuyang Temple is still another thousand-and-a-half-or-so steps up – slightly intimidating for most visitors.
Even so, the locals believe that pilgrims with a heavy heart will never make it to the top. To the locals themselves and many devotees making the trip, this adds to the spiritual aspect of the climb.
Good to know about Lempuyang Temple
They strongly believe that besides maintaining respectful behaviour and speech, you shouldn’t complain along the way up. Strong-willed pilgrims get to enjoy splendid panoramas of the eastern Bali mountain range and coastline step after steep step, along with the lush surroundings and fresh mountain air. The grey macaques here are not as curious and mischievous as their relatives in Uluwatu, but it’s a rule of thumb to not carry any loose gear or feed them.
After an approximate 2-hour climb, the Lempuyang Temple welcomes weary pilgrims with a spectacular view and a calming place of respite. The temple itself is smaller compared to the Penataran Agung, but there is a more mystical feel about the setting and calmness. Prayers ensue with refreshing holy water sprinkled by the priest which soothes body, mind and soul.
