Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Jun. 30, 2024

Among untamed rainforests, rice paddies and steep ravines lies the village of Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali, Indonesia. According to legend, a Hindu priest, Rsi Markandaya, arrived at the island of Bali in the 8th century, discovering an area abundant in medicinal herbs and plants. The name of Ubud derives from the word "ubad," meaning medicine. Nestled within the verdant landscape, the village is rich in Hindu temples and bountiful in local mythology. The mythical character seen in today’s image is Barong, a panther-like creature, the king of spirits and a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. The Barong dance, performed in a decorated animal mask, is native to Bali.

© R. Schönebaum/plainpicture

palette

Today in History

Where did you drop the fish, son?
Will we be ready for the ‘big one?’
Jun. 30, 2025Asteroid Day
Jun 30, 2026Giraffes at sunset in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr. 8, 2024Total solar eclipse
Jan. 28, 2026Whanganui National Park, Retaruke, New Zealand
Oct. 10, 2023Mount Sopris, Colorado
Jun. 14, 2024Peggys Point Lighthouse
Nov. 1, 2025Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Oct. 7, 2024World Architecture Day
The other great barrier reef
Mar. 13, 2024Lake Magadi, Kenya
Apr. 9, 2024World Ski and Snowboard Festival
Apr. 25, 2026World Penguin Day
Dec. 17, 2024Traditional red fishermens cabins, Reine, Norway
May 21, 2025International Tea Day
Mar. 9, 2025Daylight saving time begins
Dec. 24, 2023Christmas Eve
An iridescent view
Oct. 2, 2024Autumn in the Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon
Oct. 3, 2025Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Oct. 12, 2023Old barn and canola field, Palouse region, Idaho
Oct. 4, 2023World Space Week
Nov. 15, 2024Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Sep. 5, 2025Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California, United States
Dec. 22, 2025The Nutcracker performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Türkiye
Mar. 1, 2026Snowy owl near the Canadian Rockies
May 27, 2026World Otter Day
Sep. 20, 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Jun. 25, 2024Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Jun. 4, 2025Cala Luna beach, Sardinia, Italy
Mar. 27, 2026World Theatre Day
Aug. 28, 2023Dubrovnik, Croatia
More of a moustache than a beard?