Excursion World cruise collection: hindu temple ceremony tour at Benoa

Discover the Hindu culture and traditions of the Balinese people during this immersive, half-day, World Cruise Collection sightseeing excursion.

Benoa, Mertasari Sanur Temple, Sarong & Sash, Outer-Courtyard, Preparation of Prayer Offerings

Newly-designed especially for our valued World Cruise guests, your World Cruise Collection tour begins with a scenic, approximately 45-minute drive south to Mertasari Sanur, coastal temple tucked under a canopy of dense tree cover. Upon arrival, you are outfitted in temple clothing (sarong and sash) provided by your guide and the temple's caretaker. Afterward, walk to the outer-courtyard of the temple, where local denizens welcome your arrival. Observe and participate in traditional Balinese daily activities, such as making religious offerings of canang sari (flowers) or gebogan (a towering offering carried on the head with various fruits, snacks, flowers, and sampiyan) placed in a dulang (wooden container).

Inner-Sanctum, Incense, Flower Offerings, Holy Water, Temple Priest

Next, walk through the temple gate with local residents carrying the gebogan and enter the inner-sanctum of the temple, where the prayer session is located. Items required for a prayer session include a dupa (incense) stick, flower offering consisting of five different coloured flowers, temple sash and sarong, which is worn around your waist and indicates that you are serious about the gods, holy water, which is poured atop your head during prayer services, and a Pemangku (temple priest), who serves the prayers and helps to bring proper spirits for prayers. Also included are humility, gratitude to the many Hindu gods that provide abundance, and remembering the spirit is the source of all.

Prayer Ceremony, Outer-Temple, Refreshments, Bumbung Dance Performance

Upon arrival in the inner sanctum where the praying session is located, you are asked to assume a sitting position, cross-legged for gentlemen, and kneeling or cross-legged for ladies. Following your prayer ceremony, you are escorted back to the outer-part of the temple for refreshments accompanied by a selection of local specialities. Enjoy your local refreshments whilst observing a Bumbung dance performance, a secular social dance where the dancers usually invite audience members to dance with them. At the conclusion of your World Cruise Collection excursion, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Benoa, Mertasari Temple, Sarong-and-Sash-Wearing, Preparation of Prayer Offerings, Prayer Ceremony, Refreshments, Local Specialities, Bumbung Dance Performance

Note

Please note: This World Cruise Collection tour involves a moderate amount of walking and standing, at time over uneven and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 10 steps at the temple. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable cotton clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, bottled water, and local currency or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Please dress conservatively when going ashore and visit religious sites; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Expect warm and humid weather conditions. Flash photography is prohibited inside the temple. Guests should not pose besides/in front of statues of Buddha. The tour timings and sequence may vary.