Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Sacred Monkey Forest

The monkeys within the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal are commonly called long-tailed macaques. Macaques are found throughout Southeast Asia and many species of macaques live successfully in areas that are heavily utilized by humans. On Bali, there are Balinese long-tailed macaque troops (populations) that live in areas where they have little to no contact with humans and troops that come into contact with humans on a regular basis. However, despite the fact that many species of macaques thrive in areas that are heavily utilized by humans, there is evidence that the viability of Balinese long-tailed macaques (the ability of macaques to continue to thrive) may be dependent upon the conservation of Bali's forested areas.

Some of these trees are considered holy and are used in various Balinese spiritual practices. Examples include the Majegan, which is used exclusively for the building of shrines; or the Berigin, whose leaves are used in cremation ceremonies.

The Monkey Forest of Padangtegal represents a sacred Balinese Hindu site. In trying to understand Balinese Hinduism it is important to keep in mind that Balinese Hinduism is unlike Hinduism practiced in other parts of the world today. Balinese Hinduism combines aspects of Animism, Ancestor Worship, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Unfortunately there is very little data indicating when structures were historically built within the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal. It is possible that there have been a number of temples and shrines within the Sacred Monkey Forest that were destroyed.

Deep inside Ubud's Monkey Forest in inland Bali, beautiful statues are posed on both sides of the way. The images look antic but some are produced just during the last years.