7 Essential Etiquette for Bali’s Temple

Xperience Team
22 May 2024 - 4 min read

1. Dress Modestly

You need to especially be mindful of the clothing you wear if you plan to visit temples in Bali. where it is about showing your respect for the local cultures and their religious beliefs. If you want to go to the temples, you should wear clothing that will cover your shoulders and most of your upper arms. In short, do not wear sleeveless shirts, tank tops, and revealing blouses. It is also ideal to wear pants, a skirt, or a dress that will cover your knees.

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2. Mind your Entrance

The entrance to most of the Bali Temple is usually guarded by a getaway named Canang Sari which is believed to be the symbol of purification point and serves as a reminder for visitors to leave behind any negativity or worldly problems before entering the sacred place.

There are some manners that you need to keep in mind once you arrive in Bali’s Temple. It is about what you need to do and how you make your entrance to the sacred area. The local residents believed that you need to pass through the Canang Sari with your right foot as the first step. By doing it, it means that you fully respect the temple and come with a pure intention.

3. Wear a Sarong and Shash

Denis Moskvinov / Shutterstock.com

Sarong and sash is a package of traditional clothing in Bali that is often required to enter some of the holiest areas in Bali’s temples. When you visit a temple, there is usually a rental place or people where you can rent those sarongs or even buy them for a cheap price. Besides it makes you be able to access to various holiest areas, you can also show them your respect for the local culture and religion.

Sarongs came in various sizes, materials, and designs. You can choose one that’s the most comfortable to wrap around your waist and long enough to reach your ankle. Here is a short explanation of how to wear a sarong.

1.
Hold the Sarong Open: Hold the sarong in front of you with the decorative and lively side of the fabrics facing outwards.
2.
Wrap Around Your Waist: Place the center on top of your belly button, then wrap the sarong comfortably but securely at the same time around your waist overlapping the fabric in the front.
3.
Tuck and Secure: Tuck the excess fabric under the wrapped layers at your waist to make a clean and secure fit. If you want to make it much more secure and not easily become undone, you can try to use a secure pin.

While the Shash is usually used for an extra fabric that is used to double secure the sarong and add a little touch of style to your fashion. As for the way to tie the sash, there are several ways you can tie it, but the simplest way would be to wrap the sash around your waist a few times on top of the sarong and end it with a knot on the front or the side of your waist.

4. Etiquette for Woman

Denis Moskvinov / Shutterstock.com

In the Traditional Belief of the locals, women who are menstruating are considered to be in a state of impurity and might experience restriction to several holiest places inside the temple complex. If you happen to be in that condition, it would be best to ask politely with the temple officials or the local women about the restrictions and the specific customs during your visit.

As for an alternative in case you are being restricted in some areas, you might want to visit the temple grounds and appreciate the architecture of the temples as well as get immersed in the temple atmosphere. Visiting their beautiful garden and courtyard is another option for those of you who are looking for relaxation and healing.

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5. Photography

Bali is always been a paradise-like place for photographers around the world that offers a stunning background drop of the lush scenery, vibrant ceremonies, and authentic temples. It is important to be mindful of the etiquette when capturing the sacred space. If you would like to take some pictures during some ceremonies or prayers, always seek permission beforehand to make sure that you respect their privacy. The use of tripods and drones might also be restricted in some temples, so make sure that the temples allow their usage before bringing them or using them in the temple complex.

6. Gesture of Respect

When you make your entrance to the temple, offer a bow or nod to show your respect to the monks, of the temple’s official. During your exploration, try not to point your fingers at the statue or the sacred items in the temples and people around, because it is considered to be impolite in Balinese Culture. When you sit down in the temple complex, sit in a lotus position where you can tuck your feet in or in a kneel position and not point your feet towards the sacred items or the state of the temples. Last but not least, donations might be customary, but small donations to the temple have always been appreciated

7. Be Mindful of your step

In Balinese temples, you will encounter many offerings placed throughout the grounds. It is often in the shape of a small woven basket containing flowers, incense, and sometimes even food. This kind of offering is one of the most important parts of Balinese Religious practices, and so it is considered a sacred thing that must not be miss-used. The offering is often placed in many spots on the floor so be careful of your step and avoid stepping into the offering which is considered to be extremely disrespectful to either the spirits or the one who offers the offerings.

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Here is the etiquette do and don’t that you need to keep in mind during your visit to Bali.. If you would like to visit Bali soon, Traveloka is more than happy to help you book some hotel accommodations, flight tickets, and tourist destinations that are mentioned before along with a guide that will help you throughout your journey through the ancient history of China. Besides giving the best price, Traveloka also often gives out some discounts and promotions! What are you waiting for? Grab yours fast!

In This Article

• 1. Dress Modestly
• 2. Mind your Entrance
• 3. Wear a Sarong and Shash
• 4. Etiquette for Woman
• 5. Photography
• 6. Gesture of Respect
• 7. Be Mindful of your step

Flights Featured in This Article

Tue, 20 May 2025
AirAsia Indonesia
Jakarta (CGK) to Bali / Denpasar (DPS)
Start from USD 44.01
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Tue, 29 Apr 2025
Citilink
Dili (DIL) to Bali / Denpasar (DPS)
Start from USD 177.48
Book Now
Sun, 18 May 2025
Batik Air Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Bali / Denpasar (DPS)
Start from USD 48.33
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