Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Jun 30, 2024

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

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

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Ready for a thrill ride
Golden cliffs of deep space
Oct 17, 2025Rock River Falls, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, United States
Jan 26, 2024Republic Day
Aug 27, 2025Ganesh Chaturthi
Sharks, just living their lives
Oct 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
A rainbow that’s worth the rainfall
Behold the architectural marvel
Sep 11, 2024Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi
Ride the wave
Sep 28, 2025Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
A castle full of history
A triumphant pose
Jul 15, 2024Marine Day, Japan
This island is more than a mile high
May 6, 2024The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
Mar 2, 2024Modica, Sicily, Italy
Oct 20, 2025Hoffmanns two-toed sloth, Ecuador
Oct 30, 2023Common raven
Nov 13, 2024Sea lion in a kelp forest, Baja California, Mexico
Dec 3, 2023Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Protecting earths biodiversity for everyone
In the tropics, land greets sea warmly
A fox in the dunes
Oct 6, 2023Taughannock Falls State Park, New York
Part science experiment, part public park
Happy New Year’s from down under
Nov 2, 2024American bison
Jun 7, 2025Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan