Pura Paluang, Nusa Penida’s “Car Temple” Just 5 Minutes from Kelingking

Hundreds of travellers crowd the Kelingking Beach viewpoint every day, then drive straight on to Broken Beach. Yet less than five minutes away, in Karang Dawa hamlet, Bunga Mekar village, stands Pura Paluang — the temple nicknamed the “Car Temple” because its shrines are shaped like vehicles. Quiet, shaded, and still an active place of worship.

Why Are the Shrines Shaped Like Cars?

Villagers in Karang Dawa recount that a large boulder kept returning to its original spot while they cleared land, accompanied by engine sounds and headlight glare at night. Guided by pawisik, they built car-shaped shrines for Ida Bhatara Ratu Gede Sakti Ngurah and Hyang Mami.

• The VW Beetle shrine — a golden-brown body carrying the “licence plate” KD 013.
• The Jimny-style jeep shrine — red, carved with dragons, believed to be the deity’s vehicle.
• Rebuilt from wood into sandstone, plus a legend of a sacred ship and a cave holding an ancient gamelan set north of the temple.

Etiquette You Must Respect

• A kamen (sarong) and sash are compulsory to enter the inner courtyard.
• Never climb, sit on, or lean against the shrines — they are altars, not photo props.
• Women who are menstruating (cuntaka) may not enter, as at every Balinese temple.
• Keep your voice down, fly a drone only with the priest’s permission, and guard your belongings from monkeys.

Access, Roads, and Best Timing

• From Toyapakeh or Banjar Nyuh harbour it is roughly 25 km and 45–60 minutes to the Kelingking area; the temple sits on the same route.
• The main road is paved, but the final stretch is narrow, sandy, and rocky — avoid a scooter in the rain.
• Come between 08.00–10.00 or 15.30–17.30, then build a 4–5 hour loop: Kelingking → Pura Paluang → Paluang Cliff → Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: Karang Dawa, Bunga Mekar village, Nusa Penida — See on Google Maps.
• Getting there: the Sanur–Toyapakeh/Banjar Nyuh fast boat takes 30–45 minutes (Rp150,000–250,000 one way), then a scooter at Rp75,000–125,000 per day or a car with driver at Rp600,000–800,000 per day.
• Hours & cost: generally 07.00–18.00 with no ticket booth — bring a donation of Rp10,000–20,000 and Rp10,000–25,000 for sarong rental; Kelingking charges about Rp10,000 plus Rp5,000 parking.
• Booking: none required. For a tirtayatra pilgrimage or a visit during piodalan, ask the local pemangku for permission or join a local tour operator’s package.
• Instagram: search on Instagram.

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