Bukit Sari Temple

Deep within the woods of the Sangeh Monkey Forest you’ll find Pura Bukit Sari, the largest of four temples located in this green slice of heaven, ruled by grey long-tail macaques. The thirteen hectares of forestland, near Sangeh village, are filled with nutmeg trees and though for many tourists the monkeys are the main attraction, we believe that the temples you find here are unique and very different from other temples in Bali. According to local elders, some of the trees are three centuries old. The tale of Sangeh Forest, which was orally passed down from generation to generation, tells us that it was originally built as a secret royal garden for the Mengwi Kingdom. Nutmeg trees were taken from the slopes of Mount Agung and planted in the garden. The idea of this secret garden however got out and, hence the name Sangeh, which literally means “openly known”. As in any other Balinese temple, a proper temple attire is required.