Ubud — Lontar of Guardian Spirits

Your quest begins at Puri Saren Agung, the Ubud Palace, official residence of the royal family since the 19th century. This site, built according to traditional Balinese architecture, is an active ceremonial and spiritual center. The inner courtyards and family shrines (merajan) bear witness to the major religious and cultural rituals that take place there, preserving the heritage of Ubud's royal lineage, the guardians of local spiritual traditions. It was here that Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, Raja of Ubud, worked for the cultural renaissance of Ubud in the 20th century, making the city an artistic hub.

Continue to Pura Desa Ubud, the Village Temple, a centuries-old Hindu-Buddhist community temple dedicated to the protection of the village. Its principles of sacred Balinese architecture and precise cosmological orientation make it a central place for local festivals (Odalan) and communal purification rituals. You will perceive the presence of altars dedicated to guardian spirits (Dewa Alit) and protective ancestors, an essential element of Bali's intangible cultural heritage, making this temple a pillar of Ubud's spiritual life.

The route then takes you to Pasar Ubud, the traditional Ubud Market, founded in the early 20th century. The commercial and social heart of the city, its covered stalls, organized by product categories, are a place for exchanging local knowledge and transmitting Balinese mercantile traditions. It is also a space where oral legends and the stories of the Lontar, these sacred Balinese manuscripts, circulate. This immersion in daily life offers you a perspective on the importance of this market in Ubud's history and its role as a cultural crossroads.

Your exploration continues to Pura Dalem Puri, the Temple of the Dead, a 19th-20th century Hindu-Buddhist temple dedicated to funerary rites. Its sculpted reliefs, depicting teachings from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, frame cremation ceremonies (Ngaben) and spirit purification rituals. This sanctuary of the Dewa Alit, small guardian spirits, is a place where Balinese cosmology is fully revealed, illustrating the depth of Ubud's spirituality and its connection with the cycle of life and death.

Finally, Pura Gunung Lebah, an ancient temple dedicated to water deities, and Pura Taman Saraswati, dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, lead you to the Campuhan Ridge Walk, a natural ridge offering panoramic views of Ubud's sacred valleys. This 2 km path, used by pilgrims, connects the northern and southern districts of Ubud. Your quest ends at Puri Agung Peliatan, a princely residence and center for the preservation of Balinese dance arts. You will have not only found the Lontar of the Guardian Spirits but also journeyed through the heart of Balinese art and culture, an experience that will have connected you to the ancient knowledge and spiritual pilgrimages of this region.