North Bali hold the most precious and sacred temples and hot springs to have ever been built on the island of the Gods. There are claims that there are more temples than there are homes on this small island. They even say there are over 10,000 temples across the island that are either facing towards the mountains, the sea, hot spring, or towards the sunrise. Whether it’s true or not, each of these shrines and temples holds a distinctive character that plays an important role in Balinese customs such as being decorated during sacred festivals, temple anniversaries, traditional dance performances, or during a local cock fight.

North Bali is where culture, religion, nature, and the spirit of the island become one. Creating a diverse and cultural setting for people coming all over the world to experience the best of Bali. Located in the heart of North Bali, Handara Resorts offers a strategic location for you to explore Bali’s biggest and most iconic Buddhist temple where the spirits come to rest along with sacred hot springs believed to heal any skin disease.

Banjar Hotsprings and Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist monastery

The Banjar hot springs are located southwest from the popular Lovina coast. It shares the same grounds with the largest Buddhist temple in Bali, the Brahmavihara Arama monastery.

Locally known as ‘Air Panas Banjar’, the sacred hot springs is set amidst lush jungle foliage in a manicured tropical garden. The grounds hold up 3 public and 1 private hot spring pools. The hot spring’s water gushes through the mouths of carved ancient mythical Balinese dragons that is locally believed to heal any kind of skin disease. Regardless if you believe it or not, the hot springs offer recreational and therapeutic experience for a weary soul because of the hot spring’s high sulphuric content.

The history Banjar Hot spring

It is predicted that the Banjar hot springs were built hundreds of years ago during the Japanese colonization. This is because it is located close to Japan’s military office resort. The reason to the local belief that the hot spring is able to cure any skin disease is because it contained a massive amount of brimstone.

Not long after came Brahmavihara Arama, the biggest Buddhist temple in Bali. Built in 1970, the sacred ground covers a hectare of hillsides with a vast number of meditation rooms, libraries, well-trimmed gardens, and a replica that is a spitting image of the world’s largest Buddhist archaeological site: Borobudur.

Fun facts about the Banjar Hotsprings and Brahmavihara Arama

The Banjar Hotsprings

• Once you plunge into the hot spring, notice the yellow-reddish sedimentation that surrounds the pool. This shows that sulfur is present.
• Till this day, the Banjar Hotsprings continue to offer a health benefitting retreat located up in the hills to the north. It is a serene experience for those seeking to enjoy relaxation, fun, and nature.

Brahmavihara Arama

• The majority of the temple is decorated with colorful Buddhist ornaments and little bits of Balinese carvings here and there. This shows solidarity amongst the local Buddhist community and the Balinese people.
• There is an expansive meditation area where guest’s everyday visit to either meditate and relax or admire the beautiful buildings and environment.
• Because you are entering sacred grounds, visitors are welcomed and asked to respect the area and beliefs by wearing sarongs or a sash.

Become part of a bigger community in north Bali. You can get to these locations with ease from Handara Resorts, Bedugul. To stay close to these amazing destinations is convenient and time-saving, so you will be able to travel around north Bali at your own pace. If you have any questions about tours available that comes included with these beautiful sites, contact us! We are happy to help in any way to make your holiday in Bali a memorable one.