Pura Melanting: North Bali's Most Colourful Temple

Pura Melanting is a colourful and intricated decorated Hindu temple in northwest Bali dedicated to Dewi Melanting, the Godess of prosperity. The unique temple dates back to the 15th century and has long been visited by merchants and traders looking for success and good fortune in business.

Pura Melanting is a “kahyangan jagat,” or universal temple, which means all Balinese Hindus can worship at it – no matter which community or caste.

We recently visited Pura Melanting while spending time in nearby Pemuteran. Below is our full review and everything you need to know about visiting.

How to Get There

Pura Melanting is located in the village of Banyupoh in northwest Bali, just a short distance from the better-known tourist town of Pemuteran and the sprawling West Bali National Park.

The temple sits in a peaceful forested area at the base of Pulaki Mountain, a 5 minute drive off the main road that runs along the coastline.

There's a large parking area directly outside the temple. It's free to park here. There are a couple of small stands and warungs in the parking area where you can grab a drink or snack.

How Much Does it Cost?

There is no set entry fee to visit Pura Melanting. Although, a donation to the temple is expected from guests.

We gave 50,000 IDR between the two of us, which was in line with what other people had left (according to the visitor book).

You're welcome to leave as much as you'd like. Just remember to bring some cash with you.

This donation includes the use of a sarong.

What To Wear

As with all temples in Bali, you should dress modestly. Wearing a sarong and sash are essential to visit, but these are provided at the entrance.

What To Expect

The most impressive view of Pura Melanting is the one you're greeted with as you first enter the temple complex. A grand staircase leads up the mountain side, flanked with vibrant carvings of mythical dragons and culminating at an elaborate set of Balinese split gates.

Follow these steps up until you reach the main inner temple area, which is just as colourful and impressive as its extravagant entrance.

The unique architectural style and brightly coloured shrines are more reminiscent of temples you might find in China or Singapore, rather than the simple greys and browns of most Balinese Hindu temples in the south.

There are several different areas to explore, but the main courtyard had to be our favourite area, with its large emerald green tower.

Surrounded by thick forest and lush greenery, the temple has a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

While Balinese people travel from all over the island to pray here, it's rarely busy outside of ceremonies. During our visit, we were the only tourists, with just a handful of locals praying and leaving offerings.

All of the locals were extremely welcoming and more than happy for us to be wandering around the temple.

We spent just over 30 minutes at the temple in total, which was a good amount of time to explore at a leisurely pace and take some photos.

The Story of Pura Melanting

There are many legends surrounding Pura Melanting and its history; the most known of which relates to Danghyang Nirartha, an important Javanese Hindu priest who travelled to Bali around the 15th/16th century.

The story goes that, while travelling across northern Bali, Nirartha's pregnant wife found herself too exhausted to carry on.

The priest decided to continue his journey alone, leaving his wife, many servents, and their daughter Ida Ayu Swabawa in the Banyupoh area. He promised he'd send for them once he arrived at his final destination.

Over time, the wife and daughter became part of the local community and were reveared by locals for their wisdom. As she got older, Ida Ayu Swabawa became a successful merchant and establed a center for trade in the area. Because of this, she was given the nickname "Melanting."

However, still sadden over the absence of Nirartha, the wife prayed to the gods to make her and her children immortal so they could wait for her husband. The gods granted her wish, but in doing so made them all invisible to the human world.

Nirartha returned years later but could find his wife of daughter anywhere. He believed that they had found enlightenment and once again left.

After her disappearance, a local temple was dedicated to Ida Ayu Swabawa, who became known as Dewi Melanting, or the Godess of Melanting (Market Godess).

Still to this day, Melanting Temple is visited by merchants, traders, and business people from all across the island looking for success and good fortune.

Another legend states that Nirartha battled a terrifying dragon on the site of the temple, hence the elaborate dragon carvings.