Bali Forgotten Temples - Exploring Sacred Sites Hidden in the Jungle

There’s a part of Bali that doesn’t make it onto postcards. It’s not lit by the warm hues of sunset on Tanah Lot, nor crowded with devotees at Besakih during a ceremony. These are the forgotten temples of Bali—sacred spaces buried in vines, cloaked in moss, and guarded by silence. They rest not in the spotlight of guidebooks, but in the stillness of the jungle, waiting patiently for those who seek more than just a photo.

I found my first one by accident. A wrong turn on a rented scooter, followed by a narrow dirt path and a short trek through palm trees, led me to a moss-covered stone gate. No ticket booth. No souvenir stalls. Just the hum of insects, the distant flow of water, and a small shrine draped in yellow cloth. I didn’t know its name. I only knew I had stumbled into something ancient.

This article is for those who want to go beyond Bali’s famous temples—to walk the quiet trails, feel the damp earth, and step into the spiritual heart of the island.

The Allure of the Forgotten

In Bali, temples (pura) are not just places of prayer—they are living organisms. Some thrum with human activity; others breathe softly beneath the trees. The ones that are forgotten aren’t abandoned—they’re simply hidden. Often, they are maintained by a nearby village, tended with devotion, but kept intentionally off the radar.

What makes these hidden temples in Bali special isn’t just their obscurity—it’s the feeling they evoke. You don’t just visit these places. You feel them. The air is cooler. The birds quieter. And if you sit still long enough, you can almost sense the stories that the stones remember.

Pura Dalem Jagaraga – Guardian of Shadows

Tucked away in the quiet village of Jagaraga in North Bali, Pura Dalem Jagaraga is a masterpiece of eerie elegance. Unlike other temples, which celebrate light and ascension, Pura Dalem is often associated with death and transition. It’s said to be a place where spirits are honored and ancestors remembered.

What makes this temple unforgettable are its stone carvings—not just of gods and goddesses, but of colonial soldiers, automobiles, even planes. This mix of the sacred and the historical feels surreal, as if time folded in on itself.

Exploring Pura Dalem Jagaraga is like walking through a dream half-remembered—a place where the veil between worlds is thin, and every crack in the stone might be a doorway.

Pura Luhur Lempuyang – Beyond the “Gate of Heaven”

Many visitors know Lempuyang for its now-famous “Gate of Heaven” photo spot. But most don’t continue beyond that. The real magic lies in the journey upward—a pilgrimage of over 1,700 stone steps, through jungle, mist, and silence.

Along the way, you’ll pass seven lesser-known temples, each one a spiritual checkpoint. These sites are deeply sacred to the Balinese, representing layers of self-purification and surrender.

The climb isn’t easy. The air gets thinner, and so does your ego. But by the time you reach the top, at Pura Luhur, the view is less about volcanoes and more about inner clarity.

This is what makes forgotten temples in Bali so powerful. They don’t perform for you. They change you.

Pura Beji Sangsit – The Temple of the Rice Goddess

Hidden in the sleepy village of Sangsit, Pura Beji is dedicated to Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice and fertility. Unlike the towering grandeur of other temples, this one is modest in scale—but rich in intricate carvings and vibrant energy.

Covered in vines and blooming frangipani, Pura Beji feels alive. It pulses with the gratitude of generations who have relied on the rice fields surrounding it.

When I visited, a local priest was quietly sweeping the courtyard. He didn’t speak much, just nodded toward the shrine. Later, he offered me a pinch of rice from the temple granary and whispered, “For your journey.”

It felt like a blessing from the island herself.

The Role of the Jungle

Why are so many of these temples hidden in Bali’s jungle? Because in Balinese cosmology, nature is sacred. The forest is not just backdrop—it’s temple walls, ceiling, and breath.

Jungles protect the temples. Trees grow around the shrines, not through them. Roots cradle statues like caretakers. And sometimes, the spiritual energy (taksu) of the place is believed to be stronger because it’s been untouched.

Entering a jungle temple is like stepping into another frequency. Sound changes. Time slows. You begin to understand that sacredness doesn’t always need gold or incense. Sometimes, it’s found in muddy steps, birdcalls, and the smell of wet moss.

Pura Pucak Manik – The Temple Above the Clouds

One of the most breathtaking yet unknown temples I encountered was Pura Pucak Manik, perched high in the hills above Lake Buyan. Getting there required hiking through dense jungle paths, led by a local friend who knew the way.

There was no path marker, no online listing. Only a whisper that “a place of light” sat atop the ridge.

After nearly two hours of trekking, we arrived at a small complex of shrines nestled among mist and pine trees. The view stretched across the lakes, and the silence was almost deafening. I sat for a long time. Not praying. Not thinking. Just… being.

That’s what these jungle temples in Bali offer: space. Not just physical space, but spiritual room to feel something real.

Tips for Visiting Forgotten Temples

Exploring these temples is unlike visiting the big-name spots. Here are a few humble suggestions:

• Go with a local. Many of these sites aren’t on maps, and their significance is best understood with context.

• Bring offerings. A small canang sari made with intention means more than any guidebook.

• Dress respectfully. Sarong, sash, and covered shoulders are a must.

• Don’t expect to be entertained. These are not attractions. They are living places of prayer.

And most importantly, listen. Not just with your ears—but with your heart.

Why It Matters

In a world driven by convenience, visiting these places reminds us of the value of effort. Of curiosity. Of reverence. The temples may be quiet, but their stories thunder beneath the soil.

Every stone laid without mortar. Every carving made without machine. Every ritual performed not for tourists, but for time itself.

Bali’s forgotten temples teach us that not everything sacred needs to be seen to be real. Sometimes, the most powerful journeys happen when you don’t know exactly where you’re going—only that something ancient is calling you deeper into the green.

If you ever feel the noise of the world is too loud, go find a jungle path. Follow it. Don’t rush. Let the trees close behind you. Let the sunlight break gently through the canopy. And when you finally find a stone gate half-swallowed by roots, stop.

You’ve arrived.

Not just at a forgotten temple, but perhaps, at a part of yourself you didn’t know was missing.