Lempuyang Temple: The Ultimate Travel Hacks You Should Know
The Lempuyang Temple, one of Bali’s oldest and most revered shrines, is located in the village of Maphisy. This temple is thought to have existed long before the majority of Hindu shrines on the island. From this temple gate, you can see the entire picturesque landscape, which the Western world calls ‘the Gates of Heaven.’Here are some secrets about traveling to Lempuyang temple aka The Gate of Heaven that will give you a complete overview.
The Lempuyang Temple
Lempuyang temple or Pura Penataran Lempuyang is one of the oldest Hindu sanctuaries in Bali. Established in the 11th century AD, Lempuyang Temple is one of the Sad Kahyangan Jagat, meaning the six holiest places in Bali. The Pura Lempuyang Luhur temple, which is the tallest shrine on Mount Lempuyang, comprises one group of shrines known as Pura Sad Kahyangan Luhur Lempuyang.
According to the ancient Lontar Kutara Kanda Dewa Purana Bangsul manuscript, Sang Hyang Parameswara transported mountains from Mount Mahameru in Jambhudwipa to Bali. The sections of Mount Mahameru were divided into three major fragments and many smaller ones. The three major sections include Mount Batur and Mount Rinjani, with the largest being Mount Agung. The smaller fragments became other mountains such as Mount Tapsahi, Pengelengan, Siladnyana, Beratan, Batukaru, Nagaloka, Pulaki, Puncak Sangkur, Bukit Rangda, Trate Bang, Padang Dawa, Andhakasa, Uluwatu, Sraya, and Mount Lempuhyang.
This ancient shrine is located on the top of Bisbis hill in eastern Bali, precisely in Tista village, Abang regency, Karangasem province. In the sanctum complex, there are 7 temples that you can explore. This place of worship is also well-known by the name “The Gate of Heaven” cause it is famous around the world. The Gate itself is located in the first temple, so it’s easy to access.
The Gate of Heaven
The ancient gate of Lempuyang Temple is the main destination that attracts people to come to enjoy the scenery and capture epic photos. The Gate of Heaven overlooks the biggest volcano in Bali, the Agung volcano. If you stand at the gate, you will see outstanding views around you. The gate that is mentioned is a split entrance gate to the Lempuyang Temple which is locally known as Candi Bentar.
This magnificent sanctuary becomes the highest shrine on the island as it sits 1.775 meters above sea level. Visiting this holy place feels like hiking a mountain. You need to walk about 1.700 steps up to the top. The panorama is worth a try, moreover, if you love hiking. It is kind of a perfect combination that lets you get an adventurous hiking experience, outstanding landscape views, and visit the ancient Hindu sanctuary at once.
But if you are not fond of hiking, don’t worry because the phenomenal Gate of Heaven is not located at the top of the hill. It’s the very first gate that you will find in the complex.
Source: FreePik
The Entrance Fee for Lempuyang Temple
The Penataran Temple requires visitors to cover their legs with a sarong, which can be rented for 10,000 IDR at the ticket office. The entrance fee is 100,000 IDR, and parking your scooter or car costs 5,000 IDR.
To make your journey to Lempuyang Temple more adventurous, try hiking to the top of the Lempuyang Luhur Temple. It is the crown jewel of the complex (as well as its namesake). The return trip to the top temple takes at least three hours, and you must hike more than 1,700 stairs. However, the reward of seeing Mt. Lempuyang from the summit is so much more than a nice picture.
On the way to the temple, you will pass through remote villages and see a side of Bali that you would not see in the tourist areas, where you will be one of only a few tourists and treated like a local.
Lempuyang Temple location: Tri Buana, Kec. Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852
Source: Unsplash
The Best Time to Visit Lempuyang Temple
We recommend visiting Lempuyang Temple during the dry season (May – October) since you’ll need to hike to reach it. For epic photos with fewer crowds, come early in the morning to catch the sunrise view.. Besides that, you don’t need to wait for hours to take a picture in the Gate of Heaven.
But if you are not a morning person and want to avoid the crowd, visit in the late afternoon to get the sunset. You still can get the great scenery by visiting this place in the late morning or during the day, but it used to be crowded.
Source: Unsplash
Do and Don’ts at Lempuyang Temple
The same as other places of worship on the island, you must follow the rules when visiting the Lempuyang Temple. Moreover, it is a sacred place and highly regarded by local people in Bali. Here are the dos and don’ts you must know before visiting it.
What You Can Do it on Lempuyang Temple:
- Covering shoulders and wearing a sarong (kamben)
This is the basic and common rule in Bali. Bring your sarong and wear it when you head up to the sanctum area. If you don’t have any sarongs, you can rent them at the ticket counter. -
Do get to visit Pura Lempuyang Bali early hour
Due to the popularity of Gates of Heaven photos on Instagram, Lempuyang Temple can become crowded quickly. To get your Gates of Heaven photo, you’ll need to take a number and wait your turn. To avoid long waits, the best time to visit Lempuyang Temple is at sunrise; otherwise, you risk receiving a high number. When our family visited Pura Lempuyang Temple in Bali, we arrived around 9 a.m. and received the number 154, with more than 100 people ahead of us! We ended up waiting for nearly three hours just for a photo, as it took a few minutes per person. In the end, we decided to skip the Instagram photo opportunity.
- You Must Follow the rules at Pura LempuyangApart from the dress code, there are some other rules to be followed by visitors at Pura Lempuyang Bali.Drones are not allowed for photographs of the temples. Climbing or sitting on the walls, raised platforms, or statues is not allowed either. These rules are in place to ensure the preservation and respect of the sacred site. Visitors must be mindful of these restrictions to maintain the integrity of Pura Lempuyang Bali. It is very important to know some cultural practices when visiting the Lempuyang Temple. Women who are menstruating and babies under 105 days old are not permitted to enter the prayer areas or the temple.
You Should Don’t Do it on this place:
- Saying bad words and kissing
- Entering the sanctum area when you are on your monthly period or breastfeeding
- Bring jewelry because often the jewelry disappears mysteriously.
- Bring food and eat pork
Find more information about temple trips in Bali and the essential things to know before visiting Bali, so you know where to go in Bali, what to prepare, and what to expect.
Source: Unsplash
The Secret Behind the Epic Photos
You should be familiar with the epic photos of people standing in the Gate of Heaven with a perfect shadow in front of them. The photos are amazing! But, there is no pool or puddle in front of the gate, it is a photography trick. The trick will help you to capture a moment with a perfect reflection.
You just need to put a mirror under your camera, then the mirror will reflect people in the gate complete with gorgeous background views. Usually, there will be a local guy who stays there to help you make the amazing photo. You just need to give him a tip for his help.
Source: Unsplash
How to get to The Lempuyang Temple?
If you move off from Denpasar, it will take 2 hours and 45 minutes by car. If you get off from south of Bali, it will take around 2 to 3 hours depending on the traffic. It will take 2 hours and 30 minutes from Ubud to reach one of the holiest place in Bali. It takes time, but the fascinating view and the magnificent shrine will pay for the time you have spent.
It’s pretty easy to reach this place both by car or motorcycle. But if you want the simplest way, you can rent a car with a driver that is ready to take you to Lempuyang Temple.
We’ve recently uncovered 5 hidden gems in Bali that we just had to share with the world! From Botanic Garden to breathtaking waterfalls, these spots are truly awe-inspiring and not to be missed.
If you set off from Ubud, our butlers at Ubud Villas Rental by Red Lotus Property will arrange the car and the other preparations for you. Our team proudly drives you to the Lempuyang Temple. All you need to do is ask our butlers. Here we also provide comfortable and luxury villas in Bali at various rates that may suit you.
