Ubud Monkey Forest
The dvarapalas at the entrance to the Ubud Monkey Forest — are part of an ancient tradition that came to Bali from India via Java. The Sanskrit word dvāra-pāla means “gate guardian” .
In Hinduism and Buddhism, such guardians appeared as early as the 8th–9th centuries. On Bali, they began to be installed along with Hindu temples during the 13th–16th centuries.
They were always placed in pairs — on both sides of the entrance — to balance the forces and provide “symmetrical protection.”
The threatening facial expressions, fangs, bulging eyes, and weapons are not meant to scare humans, but to frighten away evil spirits and demons that might enter the sanctuary.
Often, the left figure holds the weapon in a “calm” position (guarding without attacking), while the right one is in a “battle-ready” stance.
Ubud Monkey Forest
The dvarapalas at the entrance to the Ubud Monkey Forest — are part of an ancient tradition that came to Bali from India via Java. The Sanskrit word dvāra-pāla means “gate guardian” .
In Hinduism and Buddhism, such guardians appeared as early as the 8th–9th centuries. On Bali, they began to be installed along with Hindu temples during the 13th–16th centuries.
They were always placed in pairs — on both sides of the entrance — to balance the forces and provide “symmetrical protection.”
The threatening facial expressions, fangs, bulging eyes, and weapons are not meant to scare humans, but to frighten away evil spirits and demons that might enter the sanctuary.
Often, the left figure holds the weapon in a “calm” position (guarding without attacking), while the right one is in a “battle-ready” stance.