Bali is famed for its tropical beauty, rich culture and mouthwatering cuisine and is a favourite destination of the global tourist community. Ubud in particular is one of the most frequented tourist hubs on the island. There are several Ubud villa resort options around; if you’re looking for comfort in a beautiful, tranquil, traditional Balinese environment; properties such as Alila Ubud would be a good choice of accommodation for visitors to the area.

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located on 27 acres at the lower end of the Jalan Monkey Forest in Padangtegal village. The villagers own and run the Sanctuary which draws more than 10,000 visitors monthly. It is also home to a small herd of Timor Rusa deer and around 127 species of trees. The Sanctuary has winding trails but certain areas and certain sections of the temples are strictly off limits as they are considered very sacred and meant for praying only.

The Sanctuary is home to around 600 crab eating macaques, also known as Balinese long tailed monkeys who live in several groups. The monkey is important in Hinduism and the villagers believe that the monkeys protect the forest’s sacred sites from evil spirits. Though the monkeys are given sweet potato thrice a day, they wait for food from visitors and will even grab bags to get food. Bananas are on sale outside the sanctuary to buy and feed the monkeys. Food like peanuts and cookies are banned for health reasons.

There are three temples here. The Pura Dalem Agung Padantegal (the Padangtegal Great Temple of Death) is the main temple and is used for worshipping the God Hyang Widhi in personification of Lord Shiva. The Pura Baji Temple is used to worship Hyang Widhi in personification of the Goddess Gangga and it is also a “Holy Spring” Bathing Well temple used for cleansing and purification. The third temple Pura Prajapati is used to worship Hyang Widhi in personification of Prajapati.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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