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

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Preserving Alaskas natural beauty
Aug 5, 2025Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
Apr 27, 2024Leucistic Annas Hummingbird
Jan 22, 2025Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
Apr 24, 2025Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
Oct 6, 2025Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
Nov 3, 2024International Day for Biosphere Reserves
Oct 8, 2025World Octopus Day
Nature’s blue wonder
A time-worn medieval marvel
Nov 19, 2025Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary
Apr 4, 2024Red lechwe, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Angry bird, doting dad
Sep 15, 2023Udaipur, India
Who uses this grassy bridge?
Hide-and-go-seek world champion
Here we go!
Oct 2, 2024Gandhi Jayanti
Jul 7, 2024Rice terraces of Mù Cang Chải, Yên Bái province, Vietnam
May 16, 2024International Day of Light
Jan 29, 2025Chinese New Year
So close, yet so far
Aug 29, 2023Turkey tail mushroom
Dec 31, 2024New Years Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
An engineering marvel
Jun 13, 2024Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Oct 8, 2024World Octopus Day
A puzzle for giants
Sep 16, 2024Wallabies at sunrise, Australia
Nov 22, 2025Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China