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Indonesian temple and religious site etiquette

Dress code, behaviour and unwritten rules for Hindu temples in Bali, Buddhist sites like Borobudur, and Indonesia's mosques.

4 min read

Indonesia's religious sites — Balinese Hindu temples, Java's Buddhist Borobudur, mosques across the country, smaller shrines — are working places of worship as much as tourist attractions. Respectful behaviour is expected and observed. The rules are simple and most are clearly signposted.

Universal rules

  • Dress modestly: cover shoulders, cover knees minimum
  • No revealing clothing: no spaghetti straps, no short shorts
  • Quiet voice: don't yell, take measured phone calls
  • No flash photography during ceremonies or in restricted areas
  • Don't touch sacred objects unless invited
  • Walk around, not through, prayer areas
  • Don't step on offerings (canang sari in Bali especially)
  • Don't climb on statues or sacred trees
  • Don't enter restricted inner sanctums without invitation

Balinese Hindu temples (pura)

Dress code

  • Sarong (cloth wrapped around lower body): required for both genders. Often available for free or small rental at temple entrance.
  • Sash (slimmer cloth around waist): required, sometimes included with sarong rental.
  • Cover shoulders: T-shirts fine; no sleeveless tops.
  • Cover knees: long sarong covers this.

Behaviour

  • Don't enter during menstruation — traditionally women are asked not to enter Balinese Hindu temples during menstruation. Many tourist temples are flexible but the rule remains for major ceremonies.
  • Don't enter if you have an open wound
  • Don't pose for selfies with sacred objects or statues in disrespectful ways
  • Don't sit higher than priests during ceremonies (don't sit on temple walls)
  • Keep your head lower than priests when passing through
  • Don't point your feet at altars when seated

Photography

  • Generally OK in outer courtyards
  • Ask before photographing people praying
  • No flash during prayers or ceremonies
  • Don't disturb the spiritual atmosphere for a photo

Specific temples

  • Pura Besakih (mother temple of Bali): hire a guide; obey area restrictions
  • Pura Tirta Empul (water temple): bring sarong + tied hair + waterproof bag for valuables
  • Uluwatu Temple: monkeys! Watch for sunglasses, hats, phones being grabbed
  • Tanah Lot: tide-dependent; cliffs and tide can be slippery

Buddhist sites — Borobudur and Prambanan

Borobudur (Buddhist)

  • Sarong: required, provided at entry
  • Footwear off at the upper terraces
  • Don't climb on or touch stupas without permission
  • Quiet voice: meditative atmosphere expected
  • No flash inside niches
  • Sunrise entry: dress warmly (cold pre-dawn)
  • Don't sit on or in stupas for photos

Prambanan (Hindu)

  • Sarong: required, provided at entry
  • Walk only on designated paths
  • Climb only where access is permitted (post-2006 earthquake restrictions)
  • Don't touch carvings to avoid damage

Mosques across Indonesia

Major mosques in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Padang and others welcome visitors outside prayer times.

  • Cover hair (women): scarf provided at entrance to major mosques
  • Cover arms and legs: long sleeves and long pants/sarong
  • Remove shoes: at the prayer hall entrance
  • Don't pass in front of someone praying
  • Don't enter the prayer hall during prayer unless inviting
  • Don't photograph people praying without asking
  • Quiet voice
  • Don't take photographs of women without consent

Istiqlal Mosque (Jakarta) — the largest in Southeast Asia

  • Free guided tour for tourists in English
  • Welcoming to non-Muslim visitors
  • Friday prayers (12-1pm) — best to visit outside this window

Offerings (canang sari) on the ground

Bali especially — small woven palm-leaf baskets with flowers, rice and incense are placed on the ground throughout the day. Step around, not on them. They're prayers, not litter.

Ceremonies

If you encounter a Balinese cremation, temple anniversary (odalan), or village ceremony:

  • Stop and observe respectfully
  • Don't push to the front
  • Don't take flash photos
  • Don't film extensively without invitation
  • Ask before joining (sometimes invited; often welcome at outer areas)
  • Dress modestly even if unprepared

Children and religious sites

  • Generally welcome with parents
  • Same dress code applies
  • Keep children quiet
  • Don't let kids run around or climb on objects
  • For very young children, brief visits work best

Mistakes that cause real offence

  • Wearing bikini tops at temples (common Bali rookie error)
  • Standing in front of someone in active prayer
  • Posing for "funny" photos with religious statues
  • Climbing on statues for Instagram
  • Leaving rubbish at temples
  • Ignoring "no entry" signs at inner sanctums
  • Drinking alcohol at temples or sacred sites

Tips that cost nothing

  • Bring own sarong for repeated temple visits (USD 5–15 from local market)
  • Bring a small empty plastic bottle for water in hot sun
  • Sun hat (remove inside temples)
  • Sunglasses (remove if entering sanctums)
  • Cash for entry fees (most temples IDR 10,000–80,000 per person)

Common mistakes

  • Showing up to temples in beachwear and being denied entry
  • Disturbing a ceremony you didn't notice was happening
  • Stepping on canang sari offerings without realising
  • Trying to enter a mosque during prayer
  • Taking insensitive photos that go viral and cause local backlash

Verify before acting

For specific temple ceremony schedules and access rules, ask your hotel concierge or a local guide. Major Balinese temple ceremonies often have specific entry rules during odalan. See disclaimer.

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