The Gate of Heaven holds symbolic significance in Balinese Hinduism. It marks the transition from the material world to the spiritual realm.

I visited the temple or “Pura” during the pandemic period. At that time, I completed the vaccinations as required to be able to fly from Jakarta to Bali. Bali was so quiet, and hardly any tourists except people from Jakarta. Less busy and much nicer, to be honest.

Lempuyang Temple in Bali, Indonesia, is one of the world’s most ancient and captivating temples. Its origins date back to the 11th century. It is positioned atop Mount Lempuyang and provides a breathtaking panorama of the encompassing landscape. Particularly renowned for its awe-inspiring vistas of the nearby mountains, these can be admired from its central courtyard. Moreover, the temple complex comprises numerous smaller temples and shrines, creating a splendid opportunity to immerse oneself in Balinese culture and history while revelling in the splendour of nature and serenity.

The sacred Staircase and gateway in the Temple are stunningly beautiful. As you ascend the stairs, you’ll pass through various gateways or “candi” representing different levels of spiritual purification. Each gateway signifies a transition from the material world to the spiritual realm. The number of stairs can vary depending on the starting point, and the climb can be challenging. But the view from the top is enriching. The stunning view through the gate is believed to be a glimpse of the divine and represents the threshold to a sacred space.

Lempuyang Temple is also famous for its Instagram-worthy photo spot, known as the “Gate of Heaven” or “Pura Lempuyang Luhur Gateway.” This iconic gate frames the majestic Mount Agung in the background, creating a stunning visual effect. It’s important to note that the images you see in the following photographs are illusions created by strategic angle positions from my mobile-phone camera with mirrors.