besakih great temple

Viral Video Shows Russian Tourist in Underwear Entering Besakih Great Temple in Bali

Share:

A video depicting 7 Russian tourists inappropriately dressed while visiting the Besakih Great Temple in Karangasem, Bali, went viral on social media. The incident occurred on Saturday, 30th March 2024, around 4 PM local time, showing the Russian tourists wearing only t-shirts and underwear within the sacred temple premises.

I Gusti Lanang Muliarta, the head of the Management Agency for the Sacred Area of Besakih Great Temple, revealed that the tourists accessed the temple via a concealed route to the east. This was done to avoid the main entrance, where the guards would have stopped them. When the officers requested entry tickets to the Besakih Great Temple, the tourists were unable to produce them.

 


During the incident, the group of foreign tourists made a concerted effort to remain within the temple premises. According to Lanang’s account, one of the tourists displayed arrogance and engaged in a dispute with the pecalang (local guards) stationed at the site.

Efforts to educate the tourists about the temple’s dress code, emphasizing the need for modest attire due to its sacred significance to Balinese Hindus, were met with resistance. “Despite our explanations, the foreigner became enraged and attempted to escalate the situation,” recounted I Wayan Purnata, a Besakih Traditional Village security member. Consequently, the officers intervened and instructed the foreigner to vacate the premises, ultimately leading to their departure.

Recently, there has been a resurgence of incidents involving unruly behaviour and criminal activities by foreign tourists in Bali. One such example occurred on 21st March 2024, when a Russian tourist refused to settle spa fees and demanded complimentary accommodation at a villa in Karangasem, Bali. This misconduct promptly led to the tourist’s deportation by Bali Immigration authorities.

Interested in this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat!

Content Writer

Yuriz absolutely loves content writing and exploring the nitty-gritty of various topics. It all started by chance, but writing quickly became an essential part of her life! Plus, she is a huge K-pop fan, jamming out to it all day, every day!

Related News

In an effort to promote compliance and awareness among Bali’s growing expatriate community, LMI Consultancy is collaborating with Social Expat to host an exclusive workshop titled “Living and Thriving in Bali – A Practical Guide for Expatriates.” The event will take place on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, at Jaba Lounge, Fairfield by Marriott Bali Kuta Sunset […]

The world’s top business leaders, investors, and policymakers have arrived in Indonesia’s capital as the 23rd Forbes Global CEO Conference officially opens in Jakarta, marking the country’s debut as host of one of the world’s most influential corporate gatherings. The two-day event, running from 14–15 October 2025, brings together over 380 global executives, entrepreneurs, and […]

On 24 September 2025, global media outlet Time Out released its new list, showcasing the 30 areas around the world that best represent culture, creativity and community. The word “coolest” here encompasses not only style but also the vibe. Neighbourhoods full of art, music, food, and independent businesses. These are places where people want to […]

The Israeli Gymnastics Federation has filed a lawsuit against the Indonesian government after its athletes were banned from competing in the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. The decision followed Indonesia’s refusal to issue visas for the Israeli team. Indonesia Revokes Israeli Athletes’ Visas Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung voiced his opposition to Israeli participation, […]

Indonesia Guide

Just For Fun

Write For Us

Exclusive Promotions

Event Gallery