Balinese temple

A Balinese temple, known as a pura (from Balinese ᬧᬸᬭ 'pura', Balinese pronunciation: [puɾə]), is a place of worship for adherents of Balinese Hinduism in Indonesia. Puras are designed according to principles of Balinese sacred architecture, incorporating prescribed spatial orientation, ritual functions, and ceremonial regulations. They serve as focal points for communal worship rather than congregational prayer, with participation organised through families, villages, and ritual associations.

Most puras are located on the island of Bali, where Balinese Hinduism is the predominant religion, though many also exist elsewhere in Indonesia in regions with significant Balinese communities. Among them, Besakih Temple, known as the Mother Temple, is regarded as the largest, most important, and holiest temple complex in Bali. The exceptionally high number of temples across the island—ranging from family shrines to major regional sanctuaries—has led Bali to be widely referred to as “the Island of a Thousand Temples.”