Location
The sacred sanctuary of Monkey Forest is located on
the southern border of Ubud town around 3 kms south
of central town with a leading road also with the name
of  Monkey
Forest. The site can be reached by many sides besides
from central town of Ubud, from eastern corner of Ubud
and from southern area of Ubud. The distance from Kuta
is around 55 kms, from Sanur around 40 kms, and from
Nusa Dua area around 65 kms.
The Wanara Wana
Wanara Wana is the name of monkey forest in Sanskrit
language, as the language ever influenced the layers
of religious and ruling class of Indonesian archipelago
before the fall into islam, and only Bali that strongly maintains the tradition.
It is important to treat the monkeys with respect as
this forest is heir home and you are a guest in it.
Please remain on the paved paths. The monkeys may become
aggressive if you invade their private areas ( wanara
Wana staff and researcher may occasionally be seen in
this areas please do not follow them.
It can often seen how the Balinese Macaques are cracking
open coconuts. If available they like to eat bananas
and papayas, too. Once taken please leave the fruit
with the monkeys. If you with to feed the macaques please
do so carefully, and if they take food from you, please
do not attempt to retrieve it back. It is also of great
importance that you treat the trees, the plants and
other animals and structures within the Sacred Monkey
Forest with great respect.
This is holy area and an important ecological preservation.
please enjoy the beauty and magic of this place. while
at the same time respecting what lives in it. If you
have any question or if you should need assistance,
please asked the Wenara wana personnel ( identified
by their green uniforms ) or a member of the research project.
Tri Hita Karana Thought
In accordance with Balinese Hindu thought, peace
and liberty are obtainable in our life only when we
respect and observe the three harmonious relationships
known as the Tri Hita Karana with the following advises
: - The Gods bless life and created nature and all of
its entities
- Nature provide sustainable support to the need of
living beings
- Human beings as the highest being has the obligation
to preserve the mother nature which was in the past
only religious approach could operate before more reasons
could take over the role.
Based on an analysis of a manuscript called Pura Purana
( meaning history of a Pura ) which is considered a holy
writing the temple was built around 14th century during
the reign of kings with the palace in Pejeng area. If
this assumption is taken the establishment of the temple
would be before 1343 AD, not at the beginning of Gelgel
Palace which is far behind around 17th century. There
are three temples in The 
Sacred Monkey Forest namely :
- Pura Dalem Agung, located at the south western corner of the main forest area. This temple is the most prominent in Monkey Forest
- The Holy Bathing Temple located down steps close to the water stream. This temple is divided into 3
courtyards ( mandalas ) with pools.
- The Prajapati temple with cemetery located at the southernmost of the area.
Balinese Macaques
The monkeys that live in this sanctuary are called Balinese
macaques, also known as long
tail macaques. Their scientific name is macaca fascicularis
and aside from humans, macaques are the most widespread
and successful of all primates.
About 300 macaques currently reside in the monkey forest.
There are approximately 35 adults males, 95 adult females
and 170 young. These macaques live primarily in three
clusters of females and males. Each of these groups
tends to use different areas of the forest at different
ties of the day. All macaques use all of the forest.
Conflicts sometimes arises when two groups are in same
area. Adult males weight up to 8 to 10 kgs and have
large canines teeth, broad shoulders and facial hair
that resembles a mustache. The adult females are smaller
then the males ( 4-8 kgs ) and have long facial hair
resembling beads. Balinese macaques group is centered
around groups of related females called "matriline"
Male macaques usually migrate in from other area and
attempt to associate themselves with the female matriline
Both males and females, have st of dominance relationship,
but they are not always clear or consistent.
Mating can take place all year round but most infants
are born during the months of May - August. Macaques
mothers range from very protective to very permissive
with their infants. Many females who are not the mother
spend time holding and caring for infants. Sometimes
you will even see an adult male "mothering" as well.
Research and Conservation
The Sacred Monkey Forest serves not only as an important
component in the spiritual and daily life of the villagers,
but is the site of several research and conservation
programs. The maintenance and management of special
place like this attract the attention of researchers
from all over the world, especially the interaction
between human beings and the monkeys of this sacred
place are subject to surveys and research studies.
 MANDALA WISATA WANARA WANA
Jalan Monkey Forest, Padangtegal, Ubud, Gianyar 80571
Phone 62-361 971304, 972774
Email info@monkeyforestubud.com |
