Alas Kedaton Monkeys Forest in Tabanan, Bali - Indonesia
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Alas Kedaton or Alas Kedaton Monkeys Forest is a unique small forest located in the middle of rice field and dwelt by the group of monkeys. Your visit to the place can be unforgettable moment because the main attractions here are monkeys and temples. In this place, you can visit one place that called as Pura Kedaton or Kedaton Temple as well. As you know, the monkeys are the permanent residents here. Approximately, there are around 400 monkeys. Besides that, they are accompanied by herd of big bats that hanging on the trees and sleep while waiting the night.
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Location and accommodations
Alas Kedaton is located at Kukuh Village, Marga sub-district, Tabanan City, Bali, Indonesia. The location is around four km from the city. For accommodations, there are many hotels and villa around Tabanan City, like Alila Villas Soori, Villa Cepaka Bed & Breakfast, The Luku Villa, Desa Cepaka Homestay, The Sanyas Retreat, Villa Taman di Blayu, Puri Taman Sari.
Activities
As you step to the temple that surrounded by dense forest, you can feel the magic aura and important historical ruins which are combined with harmony. This condition make visitor wants to devour and explore each spots.
The area around Alas Kedaton is believed having magical power. That is why local resident doesn’t have courage to destroy anything around the forest. That magic power has been protecting the area from irresponsible person.
Pura Kedaton itself has four gates, i.e. at the west as the main gate, at the north, east, and south. Each gate directs you to the middle spot. One of uniqueness of Alas Kedaton Temple is that the temple has a yard and nominated as the most sacred place because it located at the lower place than the yard in the middle and outer.
The monkeys that live in the temple are also sacred animal and they are free to play around the temple. You may curious to know why there are so many monkeys in the temple. According to the story that is told by local residents, they believe that those monkeys are the messenger of Gods and therefore, they don’t disturb and kill them.
Sometime, they approach the visitors to attract them. Their actions are so funny. As a sacred animal, they can live there and welcome the tourist in Alas Kedaton. Even, you can play with them because they are so tame. But of course you still have to be careful because sometime they are annoying. Keep your stuffs well because those monkeys so active and always have their own idea to steal it from you. If that happen, you have to take it back and catch them.
A sacred ceremony name as Piodalan Bali is held in this temple on Tuesday (Anggara Kasih) or 20 days after Galungan Ceremony. It started from noon and must be finished before sunset. If you come to Alas Kedaton on that day, you will see women participate by wearing traditional clothes and pray in the temple.
If you want to know more about Alas Kedaton, you are suggested to be accompanied by local guide because they can tame the monkeys and will give you information about Alas Kedaton is. And the last, don’t forget to take some pictures, like a group of monkeys and big bats in this place. Your vacation in Alas Kedaton can be the most memorable journey in Bali.
