Everyone wants to know why the statues are covered with skirts or shaded with umbrellas. It is because the Balinese believe that everything has a spirit, whether or not it is living. So they take these measures to provide comfort.
This was the third temple that we visited that day. From the time we left the hotel/villa to the time we were sitting down to eat a late lunch, "only" about five hours had passed. That included all the travel time between. This was one of many reasons why we divided our vacation into two separate locations. There were a lot of things that we wanted to experience in Ubud, Bali.
This is the Tirta Empul. It's sacred spring provides holy water for priests and bathing for ordinary Balinese, who believe a dip can bring good fortune and health. This temple was built in 926 A.D.
Here is the entrance of the grounds. I do not know if the construction of some of the buildings and walls are different or the same as the temple. See that the two statues are "taken care of"...
People lay down offerings here before entering:
There are more buildings and entrances:
Here is where people bathe. It is fed by the springs:
Another entrance. It is like a city, within a city, within a city...
This is some sort of religious person who was chanting prayers. He is facing the temple. He had a couple people sitting behind him, who'd come to pray. We were not allowed to enter this portion, but I did take pictures:
These were behind the wall that was behind the temple...
If you were at the entrance to the final prayer spot in front of the temple, your back would be to the natural springs, which has a wall around it. The guy inside is cleaning all the algae out. I am sure that he does this at least once a day, possibly more.
And, of course, a koi fish pond upon our exit:
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