A Consecrated Area
Compared with the consecrated spots mentioned so far, whose extraordinary quality is indicated by very simple altars, the Balinese temple ‘( pura ) is usually an open area enclosed by walls. This enclosure is an essential part of the consecrated spot.
When we hear the word "temple" in connection with Ball, we .must not think of a large-scale architectural structure. A Balinese temple, unlike an Indian one , is not a house or a room it is not a closed , covered building with the statue of a god as its centre of religious worship.Balinese temples go back to megalithic ritual places. Ball’s invisible gods do not reside permanently in the temple.

From time to time they allow themselves to be invited down from their world above the Gunung Agung so they need a place open at the top , through which they can come down and settle on their shrines. In accordance with this concept , buildings necessary for the reception of the gods, plus numerous small sanctuaries and seats for the gods, are constructed within the open temple area. They are called either palinggih, seat, or pasimpangan, visiting-place, depending on whether thev are meant for the gods of one’s own temple or for divine guests. The latter have their regular seats in other temples but are invited because of their kinship with the deities of one’s temple. Under these circumstances one cannot expect imposing edifices before which one could stand in rapt admiration The walls and gates bounding the consecrated area are architectonically speaking more impressive and striking than what is found inside. Thev present us with a petrified world of flowers, angels, demons and animals. Balinese temples, recognizable only by their walls, gates and sometimes their pagoda like roofs, are located in the midst of bright green rice-fields,on rocky coasts or embedded in the lush vegetation of forests.