ALAS KEDATON MONKEY FOREST

Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest located in Kutuh Village in the district of Marga, Tabanan, approximately 25km northeast of Denpasar and 4,5 kilometers from Tabanan regency. Thus theoretically, it should be considered as part of Mengwi, yet in reality the Tabanan royal family has developed the most influence over this temple. Inside the forest is a namesake temple, usually referred to as Pura Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton. This expansive complex is nestled amidst the dense woodland. Pathways surrounding the moss-covered temple walls provide a nice ambling tour, while the many places to stop and look over the shoulder high partitions provide an insightful view into the temple grounds.

The Sacred of Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest

The monkey forest’s name comes from alas (forest), and kedaton (kingdom). The Pura Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton Temple serves as its centerpiece, with pathways surrounding the mossy temple walls that provide a pleasant walk. The temple’s gates are usually closed when there’s no ceremony going on, but you can easily look over the shoulder-high walls for a peek into the temple grounds. The temple holds its piodalan temple anniversary every Anggara Kasih Tuesday as marked on the Balinese Pawukon calendar – roughly 20 days after Bali’s major Galungan holidays. The heights of festivities take place for a full day and conclude before sundown. Like the temple, the whole forest is considered sacred and so are its residents – these include the hordes of long-tailed macaques as well as the flying foxes that you can often see zooming through the misty forest canopies. As for the monkeys, the village locals, shopkeepers, guides and visitors are prohibited from harming them, no matter how impish they may be.

The Monkey at Alas Kedaton Temple

The monkeys in Alas Kedaton Temple are very tame and free gallivanting in the temple yard, so that the calm atmosphere is sometimes solved by the noise of the monkeys, which are playing around and scrambling for food. The monkeys who dwell in Alas Kedaton Temple, there are jump up and down in temple wall, take a bath in moat or there is also hang out in few leaves representing impression view. The monkey is the custodian of the temple, which is always ready to greet all visitors who are paying a visit to Alas Kedaton Temple. Besides monkeys, in Kedaton forest also can be met bats and some other animals. At least 24 types of grove plant have been identified in Alas Kedaton Temple.

Temple Festival at Alas Kedaton Temple

The temple ceremony in alas Kedaton temple is carried out every 210 days a year. It is on Anggarakasih Medangsia (Balinese Hindu Calendar) or on every Tuesday where on that time the local people go for worshiping or praying to request safety and prosperity. The unique thing about this ceremony is do not use the fire and do not hence Penjor and also finish before the sunset or before the night is come.

Attraction at Alas Kedaton Temple

The authorities of Alas Kedaton Forest, Desa Adat Kukuh, Marga, Tabanan have designed the forest full with the monkeys, to interact with the visitors directly. Of course, all of the monkeys are gentle. They are not bad, as long as the visitor does not do some bad thing, like hit them. Another attraction is a bat show. It is not an ordinary bat, but a giant bat. Very big. You will not see this kind of bat in daily life. So in Alas Kedaton Temple this could be the only one experience taking pictures with a giant bat. Last attraction at Alas Kedaton Temple is taking a picture with the snake. Not only for adults, kids are also very happy with the attraction. Again, this is not a wild snake like we often see in National Geographic. Although the snake is very big and long, this creature is a gentle one. Some photographs with the snake in Alas Kedaton can be good here.

How Get To Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest

Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest lies in Kutuh Village in the district of Marga, Tabanan, approximately 25km northeast of Denpasar and 4,5 kilometers from Tabanan regency.

Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest Entrance Ticket

Adult : IDR 30,000
Children : IDR 15,000
Opening Hours : 09.00 AM - 05.00 PM
Local guide will be accompany without additional charge