The Tanah Lot Temple in Bali, built on a scenic cliff back in the 17th century, is one of the most popular tourist destinations and holds deep spiritual significance for the island’s residents. Currently, it welcomes an average of 5,000 tourists daily. As visitor numbers continue to grow, the temple management is seeking new ways to entertain guests. As part of a new project, an open stage will be installed within the temple complex. This stage will be used for Balinese Hindu ceremonies, as well as for various entertainment shows, including traditional dances and other performances.
Tanah Lot Temple manager, Wayan Sudiana, shared that the installation of the stage will elevate the experience of visiting this architectural sanctuary to a new level and that the temple’s development aims to promote local art and culture. He explained, “We want local culture to live on and be known by new generations of Indonesians and tourists alike. This new step will certainly help with that.”
Sudiana and his team have yet to announce the opening date of the new stage or which events will be held first, but they promise to share more details soon.
Despite the optimistic outlook on the temple’s financial future, Balinese elders are not pleased. Theology professor Ketut Wartyasa warned that using temples in such a way distances Balinese people from their roots. He said, “Do not let the unscrupulousness of capitalism destroy Bali.” His statement followed a conflict that arose when a beach club’s fireworks interrupted a religious ceremony taking place on the beach.
“Whether it’s international companies entertaining tourists or cultural landmarks seeking to attract more visitors with shows, Bali’s core cultural values must be preserved, even if there is big money involved,” Wartyasa concluded.
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