Monkey Forest of Sangeh Sangeh is 6 hectares homogeneous nutmeg (pala) forest that can grow up to 40m high.

Today, Sangeh forest is inhabited by hundreds of gray monkeys with long tail. Its population is currently around 700. Monkey herd was divided into three groups: western, central, and east. Each group was led by a male monkey as its king. History OF Nutmeg Trees According to myth, nutmeg trees coming from the region of Mount Agung in the east of Bali. A bunch of nutmeg tree traveled from Mount Agung to the Mengwi, area west part of Bali. Unfortunately, in the middle of the road trip at midnight was seen by someone. As a result, magical journey was halted. The trees are then settled there and developed into a forest Sangeh today. That said Sangeh derived from two words: Sa the meaning people and ngeh means see or be interpreted as being seen. History of the Hundreds Monkeys The legend said that the monkeys were there when Hanoman, one of Hindunese Gods which takes form of a monkey, lifted Mount Mahameru. The story tells that when he lifted the mountain, some parts of the mountain fell down. And since then, monkeys rule the area. Bukit Sari Temple In the midle of Sangeh Monkey Forest there is a temple named Bukit Sari. This temple originally built by the royal family of Mengwi, and is now taken care of by the people from the village of Sangeh. There are many statutes of figures including demons and spirits around the temple and the forest area to ward evil spirits away from the Sangeh Monkey Forest and the temple is large with excellent use of the Hindu colors orange, red and yellow in cloths and fabrics.

The temple is usually closed off to the public but you can see its grandeur from the gates. History At the beginning of the 17th century at Monarchic golden era of Mengwi Kingdom, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem adopted son of Mengwi Kingdom Cokorda Sakti Blambangan, had from his childhood meditation tapa rare a kind of meditation wherein on the state of childhood. Thus he obtained the inspiration to build a temple in the nutmeg forest at Sangeh. the Bukit Sari temple remains as a testament to the duty and respect that the Royal Family of Mengwi pays to the Gods of Mount Agung. Location It is located in Sangeh countryside, Badung Regency, north part of Denpasar town about 30 minutes drive above Denpasar. It is one of tourist destinations in Bali which is strategically located beside of the road. The good road has been provided to reach this place and many tourists has come to this place to see the cute of monkeys. Facilitation This area is now well managed by local government. Sangeh as a Tourism Object is open every day, between 7:30 in the morning until 6:00 evening. This tourism object is facilitated with big parking area, toilet, art shops, souvenir shops, restaurant, footpath around the temple and forest, and others. If you happened to visit Bali and looking for interesting places to visit, try Sangeh. This area in northern Bali has a large forest inhibited by hundreds of monkeys. Sangeh Monkey Forest is situated at Sangeh Village, Badung Regency, about 20 km north of Denpasar. This six hectares of tropical rain forest are filled with giant nutmeg trees capable of growing as high as 40m. Inside the forest, live

hundreds of monkeys which are believed to be sacred and indeed will approach anyone paying respects at the temple. It is one of tourist destinations in Bali which is strategically located beside of the road. The good road has been provided to reach this place and many tourists has come to this place to see the monkeys. In fact, this is the first and the biggest monkey forest that has become one of the interesting places in Bali. Inside Sangeh Monkey Forest lies a temple. This spacious temple is known as Pura Bukit Sari Sangeh. Hindunese like to go praying in this temple. Originally, this temple was build when Mengwi Kingdon role Bali in the seventeenth century. At seventeenth century, Mengwi Kingdom is one major kingdom in Bali. Nowadays, this temple has become public temple and taken care by the people from the village of Sangeh. The legend said that the monkeys were there when Hanoman, one of Hindunese Gods which takes form of a monkey, lifted Mount Mahameru. The story tells that when he lifted the mountain, some parts of the mountain fell down. And since then, monkeys rule the area. Another interesting fact about nutmeg trees in Sangeh is that the trees cannot find in any other area of Bali. And this still remain a mystery for the people of Sangeh. Besides monkeys, there are also hundreds of bats and various kinds of indigenous birds of Bali. This area is now well managed by local government. Sangeh as a Tourism Object is open every day, between 7:30 in the morning until 6:00 evening. This tourism object is facilitated with parking area, toilet, art shops, souvenir shops, restaurant, footpath, and others. When you visit Bali, dont forget to visit Sangeh. You will witness the monkeys in its natural habitat along with the sacred ambience of the forest and the sweet smell of the air, the result of flowers sent for the God. If youre lucky enough, you will witness Hindunese ceremony held at Pura Bukit Sari.