Journey dated: June 8, 2025
Sometimes, the most beautiful roads are the ones you take without planning. Roads that do not scream for attention but offer themselves like a quiet prayer—humble, alive, and unforgettable. One such path winds through Pupuan, a lesser-known route in Bali that feels like a hidden lullaby of the island.
We rode through it after passing Bedugul. Work had been noisy lately—calls, deadlines, a cluttered mind. But something happens when you ride out of the familiar. The further we traveled, the lighter we felt. The ride into Pupuan was like exhaling after holding your breath too long.
As we descended into this lush part of Tabanan, the scenery began to shift. What we saw wasn’t just landscape, it was life unfolding slowly.
Wide rice terraces lined the hills, clean and glistening after the recent rains. It felt like this region is still deeply rooted in Bali’s food resilience, a land that respects the rice, the water, and the time it takes to grow something honestly.
The rivers, small and grand ran alongside us. We passed several subak irrigation lines, part of Bali’s ancient water-sharing system. Every curve of the road offered something serene. If you’re listening closely, you’ll hear it: the rhythm of a place that refuses to rush.
The Unexpected Temple: Sleeping Buddha at Dharmagiri
But Pupuan had more to say.
Tucked gently along the roadside, we found a place called Vihara Dharmagiri, listed on Google Maps simply as Sleeping Buddha. Out of instinct more than plan, we stopped and walked inside.
What met us was not just a temple, it was a moment.
A tall, white reclining Buddha lay peacefully against a backdrop of mountains and cloud-swept skies. The air smelled of incense. Soft, sacred. The breeze was cool, the silence kind. For a moment, it felt like the place had called us not for sightseeing, but for surrender.
We stood still. No grand gestures. Just presence.
We let the calm wrap around us like a slow chant.
And somehow, in the middle of a random ride, our souls felt heard.
We took a photo—my travel companion, standing playfully with hands pressed together, mimicking the Buddha’s sleeping posture. A moment of humor and reverence combined. It reminded us that peace doesn’t always look serious. Sometimes, it smiles at you in simplicity.
If You Ever Find Yourself There
- Route: Bedugul – Pupuan – Antosari (possible detour toward Medewi/Pekutatan)
- Travel time: ±1.5 hours from Bedugul
- Temple entrance: Free, just dress modestly and respect the holy space
- Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon
Pupuan is not a shortcut. It’s a slow path that leads inward.
And in an island celebrated for its temples and beaches, this ride becomes a shrine in motion—calling those who need nothing more than to breathe.
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