Hinduism in Bali, Indonesia and Cambodia

 

 "From the sacred rivers of India to the temples of Bali and the shores of Malaysia, the journey of Hinduism is a testament to the power of culture, spirituality, and connection. 

Not through conquest, but through curiosity, trade, and the enduring appeal of its philosophy, Hinduism found a home far beyond its birthplace. And even today, its spirit continues to shine brightly across Southeast Asia." 

Welcome to the second part of this series on Hinduism beyond India. 

In the first part we showed you, Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil community in Malaysia. The festival honors Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, and commemorates the occasion when his mother, Goddess Parvati, gave him a divine spear to vanquish the demon Surapadman. The celebrations commence at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. From there, a silver chariot carrying the deity's image embarks on an 11-kilometer journey to the Batu Caves, accompanied by thousands of devotees.

 
In todays video, we take you to Indonesian island of Bali. Where a unique form of Hinduism practiced. While it shares core beliefs with Indian Hinduism, it has developed its own rituals, deities, and cultural expressions, deeply integrated with local animist and Buddhist traditions.
Balinese Hindus worship the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), but also venerate local spirits and deified ancestors. 

Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa is considered the supreme god, an all-encompassing divine force. 

Daily offerings made from palm leaves, flowers, and rice are placed at temples, homes, and even on the ground to maintain spiritual balance. Rituals are performed for almost every aspect of life—from birth to cremation. Bali is home to thousands of temples, including famous ones like Pura Besakih (Mother Temple), Tanah Lot, and Uluwatu.
Temples are categorized by their location—mountain, village, and sea temples—all contributing to the island's spiritual harmony. 

We first take you to Uluwatu Temple Perched dramatically on a cliffside overlooking the Indian Ocean, (Pura Luhur Uluwatu) is one of Bali’s most sacred sea temples. The setting sun forms a breathtaking backdrop for the performance. 

The Kecak Dance involves 50–100 men sitting in concentric circles, rhythmically chanting “cak cak cak” — forming a powerful human orchestra. Unlike traditional gamelan-accompanied dances, Kecak relies solely on this vocal rhythm. It narrates a segment of the Ramayana, particularly: 

 • Rama’s exile

 • Sita’s abduction by Ravana

 • Hanuman’s burning of Lanka

 • The battle between Rama and Ravana, ending in Sita’s rescue.

Hanuman's fire dance is a dramatic climax where he dances through flames. The minimalistic props and costumes emphasize movement, expression, and energy.

The dancers wear traditional Balinese attire with expressive masks and gestures (mudras). The fusion of Hindu mythology with Balinese culture gives the Ramayana a distinct regional flavor. The open-air amphitheater, ocean backdrop, and sunset ambiance create an unforgettable experience. Few differences that we observe between Indian Ram leela and Kecak dance here.

Firstly the main characters, in indian Ramayana are Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Ravana, Hanuman, etc. but here, Hanuman and Ravana often get extra theatrical focus. In India, it is Staged in temples, open grounds, or theaters, but here it is Performed at Uluwatu Temple, with the sunset and ocean cliffs as the natural backdrop.

In India, it has a Deep focus on morality, duty (dharma), and divine power, whereas, in Bali, Focus is on visual spectacle, communal chanting, and spiritual balance. The Indian Ramayana is a devotional epic, while the Balinese Ramayana at Uluwatu is a living cultural ritual, blending myth, music, and dance under the open sky. 

While Both, do have a common message of victory of truth over evil, and demon Ravana is killed by Lord Ram and his army. Our next stop in this spiritual journey is the Tanah lot Temple, Situated on a rock formation off Bali’s southwest coast in Tabanan Regency. “Tanah Lot” means “Land in the Sea” in Balinese. 

What is its spiritual significance?

It is Dedicated to Dewa Baruna (the sea god), an aspect of Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. Founded in the 16th century by the priest Dang Hyang Nirartha, who saw the rocky islet as a sacred site. It is Part of Bali’s chain of sea temples, built to protect the island from evil sea spirits. Well, 

Why It's Special:
It has Stunning Sunset Views: Best visited during sunset when the temple is silhouetted against the orange sky. It has a Tide-dependent Access: During low tide, visitors can walk to the base of the rock. At high tide, it becomes an island. It has a Holy Spring & Sea Snakes: A freshwater spring flows at the base of the temple, believed to be sacred. 

Nearby, priests care for black sea snakes, considered temple guardians. 

A visit here can be a cultural experience,

 • It is Popular for traditional Balinese ceremonies and prayers, especially during odalan (temple anniversary). 

 • It is Often paired with performances of traditional Barong or Legong dance in nearby cultural parks. “As the waves crash below and the sun dips into the ocean, Tanah Lot stands timeless — a silent guardian between land and sea.” 

We have now reached the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple This temple in Bali is a stunning water temple dedicated to the lake goddess Dewi Danu, and it's often compared to Indian temples due to its Hindu roots — but there are striking differences in design, setting, and symbolism. 

Situated on Lake Beratan in Bedugul, central Bali. The temple appears to float on the lake, especially during the rainy season — a major part of its visual charm. 

 
First let us understand about the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. Tri Hita Karana is a core Balinese philosophy that guides not just religion, but daily life, architecture, farming, and community living. It means “three causes of well-being” or “three sources of harmony.”

It has 3 pillars
First, Parahyangan (💫 Harmony with the Divine): Second, Pawongan (🤝 Harmony among People) And third, Palemahan (🌱 Harmony with Nature):
Tri Hita Karana isn’t just a belief — it’s how Balinese people design temples, manage water, celebrate festivals, and even run hotels and schools. It’s a living philosophy that keeps the island spiritually and ecologically balanced. 

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is an important temple in the Balinese subak irrigation system, symbolizing harmony between people, nature, and the divine (Tri Hita Karana philosophy).
Talking about its architecture, it Features multi-tiered meru towers (pagoda-like structures), 11-tiered for Shiva and 3-tiered for Brahma. It is Constructed with thatched black palm roofs, set on small islands and stone platforms. 

Unlike in India, where Majority temples allow entry to sanctum (depending on religion/caste in some cases), in temples in Bali, Tourists can explore outer areas and main shrines are reserved for ceremonies.

To Summarise:the difference in Indian vs. Balinese temples.
• Indian temples are grand, stone structures rooted in scripture, with towering spires (shikharas or gopurams) and inner sanctums. Worship is formal, based on Vedic rituals and sacred texts.

 • Balinese temples are open-air, nature-integrated spaces with tiered shrines (merus) and symbolic gates. Worship combines Hinduism with local traditions, daily offerings, and community rituals.

 • While Indian temples emphasize devotion through ritual and architecture, Balinese temples focus on harmony with nature, gods, and community — following the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. 

We now head to Cambodia. We will take you to the Angkor wat temple.

Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument and one of the most stunning examples of Hindu and Buddhist temple architecture — located in Cambodia, not Bali or India, but deeply rooted in Indian spiritual and architectural influence.
Angkor Wat began as a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu when it was built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II (ruled c. 1113–1150 AD). It gradually transitioned into a Buddhist temple in the late 13th to early 14th century, during and after the decline of Hindu influence in the Khmer Empire.
Today: It is an active Buddhist pilgrimage site, though its Hindu carvings and architecture are still preserved.
Angkor Wat – Temple of Heaven on Earth
📍 It is Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia
• It was Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II WEll, this is the eastern gallery wall of the main temple at Angkor Wat. It has A massive bas-relief carving (over 49 meters long) of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, a Hindu myth where Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) work together to churn the ocean to obtain amrita (the nectar of immortality).
It represents the eternal struggle between good and evil. The cooperation of opposing forces to create balance and divine rewards. Vishnu’s role as preserver and stabilizer of the cosmos. Angkor Wat, though built in Cambodia, was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. The Khmer kings saw themselves as divine rulers upholding cosmic order — just like Vishnu in this myth. The relief connects Hindu cosmology to royal legitimacy and divine power. “Carved in stone across 49 meters, the Samudra Manthan at Angkor Wat is not just mythology — it’s a message. A symbol of balance, power, and the divine duty of a ruler to maintain harmony in the universe.”
Cambodia adopted Hinduism and later Buddhism from India through ancient trade, culture, and royal patronage. Temples like Angkor Wat were inspired by Indian architecture and mythology, especially the worship of Vishnu and Shiva. Over time, Cambodia shifted to Buddhism, but the Hindu roots remain in its art, language (Sanskrit), and monuments. India is the source, and Cambodia the creative reflection — turning Indian spirituality into something uniquely Khmer.