Where is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary/ Ubud Monkey Forest Located?
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary often also known as Sacred Monkey Forest or Mandala Sucitra or Ubud Monkey Forest. Located in the village of Padangtegal in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Such a massive monkey forest spans around 12.5 hectares of land with a nature reserve and temple complex. Such phenomenal landmarks are known for its vast collections of “Long Tailed Macaque Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)”, which are considered as the most sacred and holy animals by the local Bali peoples according to their beliefs.
History of Ubud Monkey Forest/ Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary has a decent historical significance rooted in intertwines with Balinese culture and spiritualties. During the 14th century the forest was recognised as a most holy and sacred one and totally dedicated to local spiritual practices and spirits. But over a period of time the place was recognized as a most popular tourist destination in Bali.
But during the 20th century onwards, Monkey forest was recognised by the conservation and forest preservation steps. Therefore, along with natural beauty, the place got promotions of tourism, cultural and environmental steps taken by the local governments.
During your forest journey never forget to spend time with captivating monkey behaviours and both protection and mischief. Today the forest is witnessing a more vibrant and spiritual connection between humans and monkeys called a concept of “The Tri Hita Karana”.
What is The Tri Hita Karana Concept?
The mission of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Monkey Forest) is conserving the area based on the concept called “Tri Hita Karana Concept”. It is one of the religious philosophies of Hinduism, derived from the word “Tri” means three, “Hita” means happiness and “Karnan” means cause or manner. In simple terms “Tri Hita Karana” means, “Three ways to reach spiritual and physical wellbeing”.
The substance of doctrine of Tri Hita Karana is how to make people maintain a good and healthy relationship in their life. It explains how to compromise the harmonious relationship between humans and humans, humans and their environment and humans with the supreme god.
Implementation of Tri Hita Karana in temple ritual performances can be seen in ritual activities related to animals, called “Tumpek Kandang” and “Tumpek Uduh”, where animal and plant is the subject of the ritual.
The Trees of the Forest
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is strongly connected with Udayana University in Denpasar, identified as 115 separate species of trees in Monkey Forest.
Under that, the majority of trees are considered holy and are mostly usable to various Balinese spiritual practices. Like Majegan, which is exclusively used for the building of shrines and temple complexes. Beringin is another one, whose leaves are used for cremation ceremonies.
Pule Bandak, a tree that embodies the spirit of the forest which is exclusively used for making strong masks. These masks have strong spiritual significance only used inside of the temple. Interesting fact here is, while making a mask Priest should not kill the tree and Priest should ask permission of the tree spirit to cut a small piece of its wood. According to their beliefs that spirit embodied in the mask.
How to Enjoy the Sacred Monkey Forest?
In the Monkey Forest, you can leisurely take a walk around and enjoy the serene atmospheres along with watching some of the crazy activities of Monkeys. According to some estimates, the sanctuary is home to over 1260 Monkeys, under which we can see 4 different groups of Monkeys and each group lives in different sections of the forest. Interestingly, during the time of rivalry each group of Monkeys come together to help each other.
Despite the Monkey, place also witnessing multiple other flora and faunas. During your journey amidst this forest you come to know that there are more than 115 different species of trees available and most of them considered as holy. Woods play a vital role in Belize spiritual practices, wood like “Majegau” is primarily used for building of shrines and Leaves of Banyan used for ceremonial activities.
In the middle of the forest is the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple and “Holy Spring” bathing temple available to take your cremation ceremonies. Most of the Monkeys come together at the time of pooja or ceremonies. Despite that, the forest contains some of the traveller’s friendly restaurants, which serves cuisines from western to local Balinese dishes. Jalan Hnoman and Bebek Bengil are more popular, known for serving dishes like fried and roasted ducks and ribs.
Nearby shops offer multiple varieties of souvenirs and artefacts such as a variety of beds, baskets, wooden carvings, ikat textiles, paintings and silver jewelleries. Along with your breakfast, never miss indulge in any one of the nearest resorts and villas known for its world class lodging and breakfasts.
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Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Entrance Fee
In Ubud Monkey Forest, Visitors get 2 different fee structures based on when visitors are visiting. If you are on weekdays, probably your fee structure is quite different than weekends.
1. Weekdays
Adults: IDR 80.000 or $ 5.50 USD
Child: IDR 60.000 or $ 4.20 USD
2. Weekends
Adults: IDR 100.000 or $ 6 USD
Child: IDR 80.000 or $ 5.50 USD
Remember: Make sure that Entrance Fee or Ticket prices are subject to change, so, keep updating and check regularly about updated entrance fees at its official website.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Opening Hours/ Timings
Every day from 9 am to 6 pm Ubud Monkey forest is open to the general public. Visitors can spend around 1 hours and 45 minutes of time in the Forest, if you want to take a guided tour you can take it or else not mandatory here.
How to Get Around in Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary?
Monkey forest covers around 30.8 acres of land, where visitors can easily walk in the pathways to the sanctuary. If it is not comfortable to you, choose to rent a bicycle or a motorbike. It is so convenient for backpackers, till now a lot of visitors who prefer bikes to take environmental and natural views along with monkeys.
Since the place is located on a mountainous area, surely roads tend to be steeper. Therefore motorbikes are the perfect choice for you instead of cars.
How to Get There to Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary?
Since the place is located close to one of the finest destinations in the world, Bali and Ubud, definitely we can expect there are a lot of transportation modes available. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Just 1 and half hour drive from the Ubud International airport. There are a good number of taxis and public transportations available to reach Monkey forest.
If you stay in a hotel near Ubud, management usually offers shutter services to their customers for a reasonable fee. The Sacred Monkey Forest is located on Monkey Forest Street, known as the main street of Ubud.
What are the Things Can Visitors Do While Visiting Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary?
1. Spend Time with Monkeys
It is the prime centre of this forest and is full of captivating world of Monkeys. Visitors can experience the playful charm and captivating nature of Balinese long tailed macaque’s Monkeys as they engage visitors with their dynamic presence. Even today there is something spiritual and vibrant connection between humans and monkeys. Make sure that you can’t play or hurt the monkey anymore, and better to maintain forest guidelines and precautions.
2. Indulge in Their Local Culture and Dance Performances
Culture in Bali is totally unique including Ubud and Monkey forest. Forest witnessing top cultural dance performances, offers visitors to indulge in its beauty with unique movements, vibrant costumes and enchanting music. Most of the cultural dances are held during weekends and it is better to spend one weekend in Monkey forest. Lubdhaka Dance (held every Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 4 am), Frog Dance (Held every Sunday from 11 am to 4 am), Ngaben (Held every 5 years once).
3. Visit Nature Friendly Temples
Temples are the key attraction in the entire Bali region. The place is filled with beautiful temples and vibrant spiritual practices. Each Temple and intricate statues hold cultural and spiritual significance. Most of the Temples in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary area were built around the middle of the 14th century. Majority of temples were built when kingdoms in Bali were ruled by the Dynasty of Pejeng (popular for the beginners of Gelgel dynasty). Pura Dalem Agung, Pura Beji and Pura Prajapati are popular temples here in this sanctuary.
Interesting Facts about the Ubud Monkey Forest
Despite of its natural, spiritual and adventurous things, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary hold some of the interesting and unknown facts, let discuss quickly one by one;
- Sanctuary holds more than 1,200 long tailed macaques, also known as a “Macaca fascicularis”. Major attraction of the forest, where visitors can easily take a close up of Monkey activities here and considered as one of the rarest Monkey groups usually found in the Asian continent.
- Amidst the Sanctuary, there are 3 major temples that can be seen by backpackers. Pura Dalem Agung, Pura Beji and Pura Prajapati are popularly known for their spiritual activities especially by local Balinese peoples.
- Trees considered holy. Yes, there are a good number of trees that represent the strong beliefs and faiths of local communities. “Majegau” tree is exclusively used for building shrines and leaves of Banyan for ceremonial purposes.
- Centre of attraction in this forest in Monkeys, there are around 10 different groups of monkeys available to study. Those monkeys who live in different groups and likely to migrate needy places, like Temple group, New Forest group, Central group and East groups.
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary strongly based on the “The Doctrine of Tri Hita Karana”. It is a Balinese Hindu philosophy which explains that the ultimate goal is to achieve harmonising the relationship between humans and others, humans and nature and humans and its environment.
- Monkey Forest witnessed many cultural attractions and dance performances. Lubdhaka Dance (held every Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 4 am), Frog Dance (Held every Sunday from 11 am to 4 am), and Ngaben (Held every 5 years once) are popular.
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