The most important institution in Bali, temples reflect the important role religion plays in the life of the Balinese. A temple is a place for communicating with the divine spirits through offerings and prayers. On holy days, when the deities and ancestral spirits descend from heaven to visit earth, the temples, become centres of activity.

Temple festivals are guide by purification by the sprinkling of holy water. Whole communities take part in these festivals, bringing baskets of food and flowers for offerings. While pura means temple, a puri is the residence of local prince, which may function as a cultural centre.
Music, dances, food, flowers, and fruits scarificed began as part of temple rituals to please the Gods an to placate evil spirit. Following the caste system of Hindu and some of its other rites and beliefs like reincarnation, one of the greatest ceremonies are cremations, meant to liberate the souls ready for rebirth. Burial is only temporary to give the family time to prepare or waiting for more to have a common cremation with the community.