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When entering temples, traditional dress is required: the legs must be covered; if you don’t have a sarong then you may rent one to wrap around shorts or short dresses; if wearing long pants, sashes should be worn around the waist. Except when praying or attending a ceremony during Bali festival events, temple courtyards are not for sifting in, and don’t use your flash during ceremonies or praying.

Menstruating women are believed to be ‘impure’ and may not enter temples or participate in any religious activity, If a Balinese woman enters a temple during her period and makes an offering, she could be severely fined. This does not reflect a sexist attitude but is based on the prohibition of unsanctified blood on sacred ground.

When ceremonies involving revered objects are underway, sit on the ground or move to the back of the temple. Keep out of the way and don’t move in front of worshippers. It’s forbidden to climb up on temple walls (to take a better photograph, for example) or to put oneself on a higher level than that of a priest. It’s also considered sacreligious to step over or stand with one’s head above a revered barong mask or other sacred object in a temple. Clothes should never be hung to dry on temple walls including those surrounding domestic shrines.

The Balinese aren’t offended easily, but they do have their own opinions on religion. If you’re an atheist, don’t tell everybody—the Balinese will react with confusion, disbelief, even scorn, thinking you’re a godless communist. For them, it would be like discovering that a person was alive without a heartbeat.