WHY East Bali? Here are twelve great reasons to get you started, handpicked by Alila Manggis to satisfy the adventurer, culture lover, foodie and wellness junkie in you!
CULTURAL LEARNING
A visit to Bali anytime of the year is likely to coincide with one of the island’s year-round calendar of enthralling temple ceremonies and religious festivals. Here are some highlights of what you can experience in the coming year.
Mekarekare at Tenganan Village
The annual ‘mekarekare’ ritual takes place every June in nearby Tenganan Village, an ancient village that still follows Bali Aga (pre-Hindu) culture and traditions. Honoring the village ancestors, this extraordinary ritual involves theatrical duels between the young men of the village, armed with prickly pandanus leaf whips and ‘ata’ vine shields, staged to the intense martial sounds of ‘gamelan selonding’ music, and much merriment and laughter. You won’t witness anything else like it.
Pasar Agung Temple
Just a 30-minute journey from Villa Idanna, behold Pasar Agung, a magnificent temple that lies off the beaten track, three-quarters of the way up majestic Mount Agung. Rivaling the Mayan temples of Central America, this monumental temple complex serves as the sacred meeting place of Bali’s most ancient deities. Surrounded by a forest of towering ferns and pine trees, it is the most dramatic setting and pilgrimage site in Bali, offering panoramic views that stretch as far as Lombok and Java.
Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple is the most important temple on the island, known as the mother temple of Bali. The most memorable and enjoyable time to visit is during one of the frequent festivals that are held here, thronged by hundreds of Hindu devotees gorgeously adorned with beautifully arranged offerings.
Usaba Daratan at Selumbung Village
In November, witness this unusual annual ceremony at Selumbung Village that blends sacred dance with spiritual trance. Displaying the power of the gods through the human body, the performers inspire a mixture of awe and fear in a powerful performance of the Keris dance. A mesmerizing sight to behold.
SPORTING ADVENTURE
Discover East Bali’s wild side on these exhilarating adventures that stretch from the ocean depths to the mountaintops.
