Monkey Forest

Sacred Forest

Monkey Forrest Sanctuary is a nature reserve, a place to see a Hindu Temple and a home to approximately 340 macaque monkeys. Considered by the Balinese as sacred, Monkey Forrest is a symbol of harmonious coexistence of humans with nature.

115 species of trees

It is an area comprising approximately a tenth of a square kilometer and housing over 115 different species of trees. The government of the local village of Padang Tegal created a foundation "Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation" which educates individuals on the species of trees, maintains the sacred integrity of the forest and promotes the site as a tourist destination. For more information stop by their office located right outside of the main entrance to Monkey Forrest.

Monkeys

Sustaining the population of long tailed macaques monkeys which live in the forest of Padang Tegal may in fact depend on conservation of Bali forested areas. Macaques thrive on Balinese climate and live in areas heavily utilized by humans. Be careful when walking down the roads, monkeys are quite used to tourists and are known for stealing bags, sunglasses, sometimes even cameras.

The temple

For the Balinese the most significant part of the Monkey forrest the Agung Temple, referred by many as a sanctuary. It is part of the Balinese cosmology to belief that natural landscapes and inanimate objects possess souls which can help or get in the way of life on Earth. To maintain harmony with ancestors and spirits of the outside world is to the Balinese as important as daily life. Therefore Monkey Forrest temple is a site of many festivals and celebrations, even cremation ceremonies used to communicate with that outside world.