PUJA MANDALA

Bali’s religious tolerance and cultural diversity are well known to the outer world and they become obvious when you visit Puja Mandala located on a hilltop in Nusa Dua in Badung regency. It is a place of worship as the words describe and now it is one of the precious tourist attractions in Bali which depicts how Bali has transformed to become the perfect island welcoming cultural diversities and religious tolerance.

The area of Puja Mandala extends up to 2.5 hectares filled with glittering towers and buildings, Puja Mandala agrees with nature and expresses a quiet, serene atmosphere, though.

Highlights: The idea of Puja Mandala was in the head of former tourism minister Joop Ave as to develop a worship complex for all the religions in Bali and it became a reality when the president nodded his head in agreement with him. The construction of the complex was finished in 1997 and the inauguration was done by the then minister of religious affairs, Tarmizi Taher.

The complex houses Ibnu Baitullah Mosque, Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa Catholic Church, Budhina Guna Buddhist Temple, Bukit Doa Protestant Church and Jagat Natha Hindu Temple.

They all stand in harmony, side by side, letting people believe that religion is to unite people not to divide. Tourists, as well as locals, find this place a unique concept which portrays a distinguished architectural style as well. During the religious celebrations, the real tolerance comes into light when all people will take part in the celebration of any religion and work together to make it grand.

People come together to help each other during the special occasions and festivals of each religion, thus showing the respect to other religions.

Location: Jalan Nusa Dua, Kuta Selatan, Benoa, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia.

Of all the religious places in Bali, Puja Mandala is an exquisite exception. Residing in Jalan Nusa Dua, Puja Mandala is the most popular one to visit. This place depicts the tolerability of Indonesia’s diverse culture and is spread over 2 hectares. Built-in 1997, this landmark was inaugurated by Tarmizi Taher, former Minister of Religious Affairs. Puja Mandala comprises of edifices of five religions - Agung Ibnu Batutah mosque, Pura Jagatnatha Balinese Hindu temple, Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa Catholic Church, and Vihara Buddha Guna.

Each of the structure is built with intricate architectural work and finest carving have been done. All of these are standing side-by-side and providing different puja services. Puja Mandala is a prominent part of Bali. Outside its premises, some shops are available for buying Puja offerings. It is widely believed that certain rituals are incomplete without puja offerings. At the different edifices established in Puja Mandala, you can discuss with local priests about these offerings and how to participate in the rituals. At Puja Mandala, you will come across a variety of things to see.

Each of the edifices holds a special and unique factor. In the mosque, an antique prayer and handwritten Quran have been established according to the rituals. Likewise, in the Protestant church, they provide worshipping service in English and Bahasa Indonesia. The exceptionality of Puja Mandala is that anyone, regardless of their backgrounds, can visit and participate in the rituals of these different religions.

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How To Reach

The nearest airport from Puja Mandala is Ngurah Rai International Airport and it is situated almost 12.7 km away. For reaching Puja Mandala, you can hire a taxi which will take 25 minutes. Or, you can book cab which is a common mode of transport in Bali.

Also, you can rent a scooter for reaching Puja Mandala. Tourists usually prefer this mode for exploring Bali’s localities. Moreover, Puja Mandala has a spacious parking area too which provides convenient parking facilities.

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Best Time To Visit

May to October – Tourists usually consider these months as the best time to explore Puja Mandala. These months are considered as dry months of Bali. The weather would be hot but favourable for exploring Puja Mandala easily. 

November to April – Rainy season in Bali occurs from November to April. Exploring Puja Mandala during these months isn’t convenient. You will witness rainfall during this time and also humid weather.

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Other Essential Information

-Location: Puja Mandala is situated in Jalan Nusa Dua, Kuta Selatan, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung in Bali, Indonesia.

-Timings: For visiting this holy place of worship, you come to this place between 8 am and 4 pm.

-Price (for locals and foreigners): Puja Mandala is free to visit.

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Tips for Visiting Puja Mandala

1. Dress modestly and style your hair properly. Cover your shoulders and part of the upper arms. It is believed that cultural heritage must be preserved physically and spiritually.

2. Kain Kamben (Sarong, around your legs) and Selendang (Temple scarf, around your waist) is mandatory for visiting Balinese temple.

3. If you are bleeding (regardless of gender) or menstruating, then it is considered impure and is not allowed inside any Balinese temple. 

4. Take off your shoes before entering any holy space of Puja Mandala.

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5. Clicking photographs are certainly not allowed under the temple’s premises. Consult with the local priest before clicking any. 

6. You can buy holy offerings for indulging in puja services of different kinds. 

7. Don’t interrupt any religious processions. Avoid causing a ruckus of interfering in any kind of religious matters. 

8. Learn about the five holy places’ rituals - Agung Ibnu Batutah mosque, Pura Jagatnatha Balinese Hindu temple, Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa Catholic Church, and Vihara Buddha Guna. A slight knowledge of the rituals will help in understanding the holy practices and diverse cultures.

9. Plan your visit according to the special ceremonies that happen in these holy places. It is the best time to witness the beauty of different cultures.

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