Bali Personal Drivers - Ubud Monkey Forest is a part of the village Padangtegal, Ubud. This place is about 30 kilometers from Denpasar city. Located on Jalan Monkey Forest which is, the crowded center of Ubud, making it easy to reach. Ubud Monkey Forest is a sacred site for Hindus in Bali because of the monkeys that inhabit the forest is different from other monkeys. The monkeys in Ubud Monkey Forest is sanctified by the local community.
Introduction
Ubud Monkey Forest was established since 1990, and is home to more than 600 Balinese monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Ubud Monkey Forest is owned by Padangtegal villagers who are members of a foundation named "Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana Padangtegal". Foundatioan served as manager of Ubud Monkey Forest, and is also responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the forest and promote the sacred site as a tourist destination.
When Ubud began opening up to tourists, there are fears of the local communities that the tourist presence will affect the habitat of monkey that live in Padangtegal, the greenest village in Ubud. Finally Padangtegal community agreed to build a sanctuary as well as manage it. Padangtegal forest area is the most sacred area, because it has a temple that was founded in the mid 14th century. There are three temples are located in Padangtegal forest areas namely : Pura Dalem Agung which is located in the southwestern part, Pura Beji which has a structure "Tri Mandala" and Pura Prajapati which serves as the place of cremation. Pura Beji is located near the small river and has a pond where its every corner there is a statue of monkey. This pond was used as a place for purification. It was said, for those who pray and throw a coin into the pond, then its prayer would come true. Local people believe that the forest is a place to connect with the spiritual world. The sacredness of Ubud Monkey Forest can also be seen from the many offerings in the statues that are on the side of the road, in front of the temple and near large trees.
Balinese people believe that the monkey is the embodiment of positive and negative energy. This case related to the story of Ramayana epic and the story of Barong Dance. Monkeys manifested as a symbol of goodness as seen in figure Hanuman, the great monkey commissioned by Rama to help Dewi Sita from the evil hands of Rahwana. The forces of evil monkeys can be seen from the characteristics of the antagonist monkeys who became army of Rahwana. However, the monkeys were in Ubud Monkey Forest is considered sacred and protected by the people of Padangtegal. They believe that the monkeys were able to keep the existence of the temple to fight the negative energy and the wicked soul. Until today, people in Padangtegal still think about these monkeys as sacred. This is in line with the concept of Hindus in Bali, that human beings should live in harmony with nature.
What is interesting here ...?
Two large monkey statue on the left and right of the highway became the welcome door to Ubud Monkey Forest. Ubud Monkey Forest has two entrances, which is east side and west side. The east side entrance is a favorite of visitors, besides the main entrance as well as the parking area for vehicles is wider. After buying a ticket, visitors will get a warm welcome from little monkeys at the entrance.
Stepping into Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana or better known as The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, the cool air will instantly crawling your body from the dense forests which is pristine. A small river flowing through the forest add to the appeal to this tourism object. While passing through the small streets of the fortified with trees, your eyes unceasingly is shown by the activities of the monkeys who live comfortably in the sanctuary. There are lazing on the roadside, then an adult female who was holding a tiny baby, and seem also the monkeys were busy playing water in the pond near the entrance.
Although the monkeys are wild, most seem very tame and familiar in the human face. Many travelers said that the monkeys in Ubud Monkey Forest is very adorable and more friendly than the monkeys at Pura Luhur Uluwatu. The visitors can freely give the monkey a banana without fear of being attacked. Before getting into the area of Ubud Monkey Forest there are banana seller. If interested, you can buy bananas here to give to the monkeys inside.
There is a special excitement when feeding the monkeys. You have to be careful when carrying bananas, the monkeys did not hesitate to take it off your hands. Sometimes, some monkeys also reached into tourists pants pocket, because they wish there was food in it.
Seeing the tourists who do not familiar with the monkeys also become exciting experience. Some tourists seemed terrified and sometimes screamed, but there was a tourist who sat calmly accompanied by the monkey and not a few also of the tourists are amazed when he saw the king monkey whose body was so big. Even one of the tourists said that he had never seen monkeys directly in the wild like this, just on television.
Sometimes there are nosy monkeys. But you do not need to worry because in Ubud Monkey Forest there are many forest guards. They usually wear traditional clothes in green. Deftly they will kept monitor the activities of monkeys when close to tourists.
In the midst of the hot weather on the island of Bali, the coolness was felt when entering into the Ubud Monkey Forest. The forest has an area of approximately 27 hectares is not just appealing because monkeys activities. The shady trees and footpaths of stone that neat and lush is also become an attraction at this tourism object. If you've seen the movie Eat, Pray and Love starred by Julia Roberts, it appears there is one scene where the main artist cycling in the shade of trees. Was originally, the scene is taking location in other places, but for some reason the Ubud Monkey Forest eventually be an option. Shady trees and lush landscape seems right to a shooting location. Indeed, the scene is not the main scene. But from that point, it is clear that this sanctuary is able to make Hollywood attracted.
Dense tropical forest and funny behavior of around 600 monkeys certainly very comforting. The monkeys always followed the steps visitors wherever they go. Ubud Monkey Forest is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00 pm. Here are some tips if you want to visit Monkey Forest Ubud :
- When you are in the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, keep stay on the road, do not enter their area, because the monkeys here may feel that you are trying to invade their homes.
- Treated monkeys with courtesy and keep a safe distance.
- Do not feed the monkeys unless you are accompanied by a guide who is watching you.
- And remember, Monkey are curious creatures, so watch your luggage.
- If they "borrow" one of your items, ask for help to guide to bring your items back.
- Do not try to tease and touch them. They can react in unexpected ways.
A visitor from Taiwan suddenly famous for her photo published in the Daily Mail when two monkeys here pull her dress. There is also an incident when a negligent photographer putting her lens cover, a monkey grabbed and chewed the lens cover.
Reference : wisatadewata.com
Photo : commons.wikimedia.org
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