Not many visitors to Bali head to the North of the island, but for those who do, Melanting Temple ought to be high on their itinerary.
This brightly coloured and vibrant place of worship among the lush greenery of the area is very much worth seeing, and it contrasts very well to many of the other temples built on the island.
Here’s what you need to know about Melanting Temple.
Where Is Pura Melanting Temple?
Pura Melanting is near the village of Banyupoh in the Kabupaten Regency in North Bali. It’s a very long drive from the main beach towns, but it’s not far from West Bali National Park and not too far from Lovina and Singaraja if you’re off dolphin spotting or visiting Bali’s second biggest city.
It’s about a 15-minute drive from the coastal town of Pemuteran, which is somewhat popular with divers seeking to explore Menjangan Island.
Where Is It? Seririt, Jl. Raya Gilimanuk, Banyupoh, Kec. Gerokgak, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81155
Online: N/A
How To Get To Pura Melanting Temple
Most people will need to hire a private car and driver to get to Pura Melanting. This isn’t very expensive and you can get a car, driver and the fuel you need for around 500,000 IDR a day (that’s about $35 USD or $50 AUD).
We should note that “a day” is about 8 hours, and if you overrun that time, you will need to pay overtime on top. It’s also customary to buy your driver lunch or to give them a small sum of money to buy their own.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Pura Melanting Temple?
There is never a bad time to visit a temple in Bali. Whether it’s the rainy season or the dry season, you will be able to explore this majestic place without any hindrance.
In fact, you may find that a journey here in the wet season offers more opportunity to explore properly, as there will be fewer visitors around.
What Are The Opening Times Of Pura Melanting Temple?
This temple is open 24 hours a day, but it is expected that visitors to temples in Bali will come during the daylight hours.
Is There An Entrance Fee?
There is no entrance fee at this temple, unlike at most temples in Bali, but it is customary to make a donation at the door.
We’d recommend leaving 20,000-50,000 IDR per person. Whether or not you make a donation, the temple will loan you a sarong at the door to ensure you’re dressed respectfully.
About Pura Melanting Temple
This temple was founded by a Javanese Hindu Priest known as Dang Hyang Nirartha. Its name is formed from “Mel”, which means “jewellery”, and “Anting”, which means “stone”.
Thus, this temple is the jewel made of stone. It’s also a sacred site to the goddess of crops, Dewi Melanting.
Legend says that Ida Bhatari Melanting emphasises the importance of honesty for business people. She says that prosperity comes from honest dealings in the human world and that acts of deciet will only come back to harm you.
What To Expect At Pura Melanting Temple
You will be warmly welcomed to this temple, which sees far fewer visitors than the average temple on the island.
The visit starts as you enter the temple complex and see the awesome two huge dragon statues flanking the staircase at the main entrance.
The vibrant carvings of the two huge dragon statues are reminiscent of China or Taiwan rather than the usual duller hues of other temples built in Bali.
Its universal temple appeal continues in the tranquil atmosphere of the middle court with an imposing tower that dominates the landscape.
Don’t forget to head up to the highest points of this temple, which offer amazing views over the blue Java Sea below.
Where To Stay Near Pura Melanting Temple
You’ll probably want to stay in Pemuteran and then make a short trip out to the temple when you’re ready to see it. Options include:
- Bali Onzen Resort & Spa – a reasonably priced 3-star with a very good onsite spa facility. The views of the mountains from here are excellent, and it’s only a short walk from the beach.
- Taruna Pemuteran – a wonderful buffet breakfast served with a nice view of the rice fields and an excellent pool area, shows just how much value you can get from staying in this part of Bali
- Adi Assri Beach Resort & Spa – if you want to stay on the beach, this value-for-money 4-star couldn’t be any closer if it tried.
What To Eat Near Pura Melanting Temple
The majority of decent eateries are in nearby Pemuteran, including:
- Joe’s Bar and Restaurant – an old school pub serving international fare, cold beer and with both pool and darts available to keep you entertained.
- The Sage Bali – an excellent spot for international healthy fare that is both value for money and delicious.
- Lakawi – maybe our favourite restaurant in North Bali, this place does amazing international food for very low prices.
Other Things To Do Near Pura Melanting Temple
You’ll have to drive a bit from this beautiful temple to find other things to do, but this corner of Bali does have some nice hidden gems, including:
- Pulaki Temple – this temple is absolutely overrun by aggressive monkeys, which is a shame as it’s got a great vantage point over the ocean, and the local community is super friendly.
- Pantai Pulaki – it’s not the greatest beach in Bali, but it is quite scenic and a nice place with some stunning views of the coastline.
- “That” Pemuteran Tree – this is one of those tourist attractions that you’ll need to see to believe, it’s a tree that grows out of the sea. It probably won’t last forever, but it looks awesome in photos while it does.
- Pemuteran Beach – a nice yellow sand because which is excellent for snorkelling and diving. There are a lot of dive companies in the area.
- Turtle Hatchery Project – one of many turtle preservation “charities” in Bali, this one appears to do good work, and if you want to release a turtle into the wild, it’s a good place to do so.
FAQs
What Is The Most Photographed Temple In Bali?
There are no official statistics on this, but we think the most photographed temple complex in Bali is probably Tanah Lot.
That’s because its clifftop position on an island off the coast makes it look mesmerising at sunset, and because it’s relatively close to the main beach towns on the island, so it’s not too long a drive to get to.
Some of the other temples in Bali are as attractive as Tanah Lot, but they’re often much harder to get to, and thus, it reduces the number of photos taken at these spots.
What Is The Holiest Hindu Temple In Bali?
By far, the most sacred temple in Bali is the Besakih Temple Complex in North Bali. It is the “mother temple” of the island, and it is connected to all temples and rice fields in the nation.
It is the pinnacle of the Subak System, which is Bali’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s also on the slopes of the most imposing sight in North Bali, Mount Agung.
There are over 80 individual public and private temples at the Besakih site, and it’s a place that is worth spending a day exploring all the wonders it has to offer.
How Many Temples Are There In Bali?
Nobody knows how many temples, exactly, there are in Bali. There are new temples built every single day, and others that fall into ruin or disrepair as their communities move on.
There are, at least, 10,000 temples, but it could be as many as 20,000. The Balinese government seems unlikely to do a survey of temple sites any time soon, so the precise number of temples on the Island of Gods is certain to remain a mystery for many years to come.
Is There A Volcano In Bali?
Yes, in fact, there are three active volcanoes on the island, though one of them hasn’t actually erupted in the last several thousand years.
The two most active volcanoes are Mount Agung, the tallest mountain on the island, and Mount Batur, which is the easiest one to climb and thus, the most popular volcano with tourists in Bali.
Final Thoughts On Pura Melanting Temple
It’s a bit of work to get to Pura Melanting in North Bali, but we think it’s worth it, particularly if you’re heading North to check out some of the other temples and places like Lovina for some dolphin spotting.
This huge and beautiful temple is one of the most colourful and attractive in the land, and it’s a place that Balinese Hindus revere and respect.
It’s different from most temples because of the colour scheme, and the vibrant carvings of mythical dragons should not be missed if you’re in the neighbourhood.
