Alas Kedaton, Forgotten Natural Tourism

Indonesia, a homeland that is rich in culture, history and stunning nature, and has many amazing tourist destinations. Bali is one of the places that presents some of this natural beauty. The island of Bali is very rich in culture, history and stunning natural attractions. Bali itself is one of the regions in Indonesia that has a high level of religious tolerance compared to other regions in Indonesia. It is not surprising that many tourists visit this island as their favorite vacation spot.

Monkeys in Alas Kedaton (Source: Editorial Collection)

One of the amazing tourist attractions that is often forgotten is Alas Kedaton, a place that not only has extraordinary natural beauty but also deep cultural value. Located in Kukuh Marga Village, Tabanan Regency, Bali. Alas Kedaton Temple offers a different experience from most tourist attractions on this island of the gods.

Alas Kedaton is one of the interesting tourist attractions on the island of Bali. Unfortunately, currently, Alas Kedaton is experiencing a decline in visits due to the general public's lack of knowledge regarding the existence of this tourist attraction and the lack of development of tourist attraction management in this place. Not to mention that the decline in visits was caused by the Covid-19 virus outbreak, which made visits to this tourist attraction increasingly decline. Before the Covid-19 virus outbreak, Alas Kedaton tourist visits could reach 400 - 800 visitors a day. However, currently, only around 50 - 150 visitors come per day. In fact, in Alas Kedaton itself there is a lot of local wisdom that is authentic and interesting for visitors.

Outside View of the Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton Temple (Source: Editorial Collection)

Alas Kedaton Temple is one of the important Hindu places of worship in Bali. The name itself contains a deep meaning. "Alas" in Balinese means forest, while "Kedaton" refers to the palace or royal residence. Thus, Alas Kedaton Temple means "Place in the Middle of the Forest." According to legend, this temple was built by a holy priest named Danghyang Dwijendra in the 16th century. Danghyang Dwijendra was an important figure in the development of Hinduism in Bali and is known as the initiator of the concept of "Dharma Yatra," which teaches the importance of a spiritual journey.

Alas Kedaton Temple has various unique features that make it worth visiting. The first is the Sacred Grove. This temple is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. The arrival of tourists will be greeted by tall trees and dense vegetation, creating a very natural and peaceful atmosphere. Second is the Holy Ape. One of the main attractions of Alas Kedaton Temple is the population of long-tailed macaques that inhabit the surrounding forests. They are considered sacred creatures and respected by local residents. Visitors can often watch these monkeys playing or looking for food.

The Third is Temple Architecture. Alas Kedaton Temple has stunning Balinese architecture, with a  main gate decorated with beautiful statues and beautiful sacred buildings. Tourists can admire the intricate architectural details and amazing carvings in this temple complex. The last one is Religious Traditions and Ceremonies. This temple is still used by Balinese Hindus for religious ceremonies and offerings to the gods. While visiting, lucky tourists can witness one of the amazing religious ceremonies performed by local Hindus.

Inside the Pura Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton (Source: Editorial Collection)

Like when visiting other temples in Bali, Alas Kedaton Temple has its own visiting procedures. Visitors are required to wear modest clothing and comply with local regulations. Clothing should cover  shoulders and knees. If you are interacting with monkeys around Alas Kedaton, do it carefully and do not give them food or disturb them without permission. Always keep the surrounding environment clean and don't throw rubbish carelessly. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Alas Kedaton, consider hiring a local guide.

The Alas Kedaton tourist attraction itself is open every day from 09.00 to 17.00 local time. If you leave from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, it takes around 1 hour 10 minutes to get to this tourist spot. To get to the location, visitors can use motorbikes or cars because the access road to Alas Kedaton itself is enough to allow normal vehicles to enter. The entrance ticket price itself is not too expensive, ranging from IDR 10,000 to IDR 30,000.

The main attraction of this tourist attraction lies in the monkeys. There are around 2,000 monkeys that inhabit the Alas Kedaton forest. When at the entrance, visitors will be greeted by these monkeys. The monkeys in Alas Kedaton are quite tame and familiar with human presence. Even though these monkeys are tame, they are still wild animals so it is advisable to be careful, especially with your belongings such as wallets, glasses, hats, earrings and other small items.

Kalong Alas Kedaton (Source: Editorial Collection)

Apart from monkeys, visitors can also see other tourist attractions that this place has to offer. At Alas Kedaton, visitors can take photos with bats (Giant Bats) provided by the manager of this tourist attraction. Apart from bats, visitors can also play outbound rides such as the flying fox. In Alas Kedaton there are also stalls selling traditional Balinese crafts and clothing so that visitors can go home with souvenirs.

Alas Kedaton is one of the places that is often forgotten in Bali, but has its own charm. With abundant natural beauty, the presence of charming sacred monkeys, and deep cultural values, Alas Kedaton Temple is a tourist destination worth visiting for anyone who wants to experience the natural charm and authentic Balinese culture. The management must be able to further develop this tourist attraction and promote it to bring back the crowds of visitors to Alas Kedaton. Don't let its beauty be forgotten and add Alas Kedaton Temple to your next trip to the island of Bali.