Is Petitenget & Masceti Temple (Seminyak) Worth Visiting?

Pura Petitenget (Petitenget Temple) is a beautiful Balinese temple in the popular tourist resort area of Seminyak, just metres from the beach. Still a working temple, Petitenget offers a glimpse into the island's deep-rooted traditions and religious practices.

Also found within the complex is Pura Masceti Ulun Tanung (often shortened to Masceti Temple), one of many agricultural temples across Bali used to pray for protection against threats such as famine and disease.

After visiting the two temples, we’ve put together this guide with our honest thoughts and some tips if you decide to visit for yourself.

Getting There

The temples are located behind Petitenget Beach in central Seminyak. The entrance sits within the main beach parking area, with plenty of space for cars and scooters. Keep an eye out for the stone dragons lining the main staircase.

The parking charge is 2,000 IDR for scooters and 5,000 IDR for cars.

What To Expect

To enter the temple, you must buy a ticket from the parking attendant costing 50,000 IDR per person. This includes free use of a sarong which is essential for entering.

The ticket is cash only and the nearest ATMs are quite a walk so make sure you go prepared (we're speaking from experience!).

We’d read reviews that the attendant selling the tickets would accompany us into the temple and provide some explanation. While he did follow us inside to keep an eye on us, no information was provided.

It's best to read up in advance if you're interested in its purpose/history. We've provided some background information at the end of this guide.

The entrance is particularly impressive, with carvings of mythical dragons lining the steps up to the candi bentar (the name given to split gates at the entrance of Balinese temples).

Upon entering the complex, you’ll find yourself in a small courtyard with the smaller Masceti Temple on your right and Petitenget on your left.

The inner courtyard of Masceti Temple was closed during our visit, but Petitenget remained open and the attendant indicated that we could go inside as there were no ceremonies taking place.

We entered the inner courtyard of Petitenget through a large red sandstone gateway decorated with stone carvings, floral patterns, and motifs from Balinese mythology.

Inside are several small pavilions and the intricately carved padmasana (main shrine) which is a true work of art. It's only a small temple so our entire visit took around 15 minutes.

The Statue of Buto Ijo

Sitting between Petitenget Temple and the main road behind it (on the opposite side to the main entrance) is a huge white statue of Buto Ijo, a giant whose story is linked to the history of Petitenget.

The statue sits outside the main temple area within a small garden and is totally free to see (Google Maps pin).

Who is Buto Ijo?

The story of Buto Ijo has changed over generations so several variations exist.

Essentially, he was a giant who caused chaos in the area. This was until the high priest Dhang Hyang Dwijendra, also known as Pedada Wawu Rauh, asked the giant to protect a haunted chest (translated as peti = chest and tenget = haunted).

Misunderstanding what the priest had asked, he ensured anyone who approached the sacred space around the chest fell ill. People were afraid to live or visit the area so they went to the priest for help.

The priest returned to clarify that Buto Ijo must work together with the people to protect the chest, allowing them to live safely but punishing anyone who threatens the sacred space.

His statue is a reminder of this story which is also told through traditional dances in ceremonies at the temple.

More About the Temples

Petitenget Temple

Petitenget Temple is one of Bali’s many sea temples that sit around the island’s coastline to protect it from evil spirits. They were strategically built so that (in theory) you could always see the next temple in the chain.

Thought to have been built during the 16th century, it's one of the few cultural landmarks to survive as Seminyak has been transformed into one of Bali's busiest and most commercialised tourist areas.

Pura Masceti Ulun Tanung

Inside Petitenget, there’s a second smaller temple called Pura Masceti Ulun Tanung. This is often shortened to Masceti Temple (even according to the signs outside), although this doesn’t really make sense as masceti refers to the type of temple and not its location.

There are many masceti temples across Bali. These are agricultural temples used to pray for a good harvest and for protection against threats such as famine and disease. They are part of Bali’s important subak irrigation system which has strong ties to Balinese Hinduism.