Pura Puncak Padang Dawa, Tabanan: The Quiet Temple Where Dozens of Barongs Gather

At around 850 metres above sea level, hidden in the hills of Desa Bangli, Kecamatan Baturiti, Tabanan, stands Pura Luhur Puncak Padang Dawa. This kahyangan jagat temple almost never appears on tourist lists, yet once in every Pawukon cycle it becomes the stage for one of the largest barong gatherings in Bali.

Why This Temple Is Special

Padang Dawa is believed to be the seat of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi in the manifestation of Siwa Pasupati, the giver of spiritual power to sacred objects. That is why villages from all over Bali come here to nunas pasupati for their barong, rangda and pratima.

• Cool mountain air year-round, backed by the forest and hills of Baturiti
• Outside ceremony days it is almost deserted — only priests and locals

Piodalan: Dozens of Barongs Nyejer

The great pujawali falls on Buda Kliwon Wuku Pahang (Pegat Uwakan), 35 days after Galungan, so it recurs on the 210-day Pawukon cycle — not on a fixed calendar date. Dozens of sacred barong and rangda from Tabanan, Badung, Gianyar, Bangli and even Jembrana arrive and stay (nyejer) for several days. Because the date shifts, ask the pemangku or Desa Bangli residents before you set out.

Etiquette, Dress and Access

• A sarong (kamen) and sash are required; bring your own, rental is not always available
• The outer courtyard (jaba) is open; the inner jeroan only for prayer and with the pemangku's permission
• Menstruating women may not enter
• During ceremonies: never stand higher than the sacred barong, and ask before photographing

The easiest route runs south of Pasar Baturiti, then west towards Desa Bangli. It is about 45 km from Denpasar (roughly 1.5 hours), 30–40 minutes from Bedugul and around 1.5 hours from Ubud. The final stretch climbs, narrows and has few streetlights — avoid arriving after dark.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: Desa Bangli, Baturiti, Tabanan — View on Google Maps
• No ticket booth and no entrance fee; bring a voluntary donation of roughly IDR 10,000–20,000
• Reasonable visiting hours: morning to late afternoon, around 08:00–17:00
• How to visit: rental car or a day driver from Bedugul/Tabanan; ask your driver to check the piodalan date with locals
• No confirmed official account — search on Instagram for recent photos

Want to see the piodalan up close? Staying a night in Bedugul or Tabanan makes it far easier — compare staycation voucher prices on AccessiaPass.