Traditional Balinese House

north of Denpasar

This is a traditional living compound for a well-off family. The photo was taken from inside the grounds; it shows the entrance to the shrine area of the compound. The shrines of the house, its most sacred part, are located in the NE corner (kaja), the closest direction to Mt. Agung. They are approached through a split gate, just as in a Balinese temple. The street entrance (not shown) to a traditional house is usually on the west, or sometimes north. Cooking, sleeping, etc. are performed in open pavilions; the roof of one such pavilion is visible at photo left.