A viral video appearing to show paragliders flying over one of Bali’s most sacred temples has triggered a public outcry, prompting calls for tighter rules on adventure activities for tourists near religious sites.
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Local authorities later clarified that an on-site investigation found the flight happened outside the designated no-fly zone, raising the possibility that the video’s perspective might have distorted the actual position of the paragliders.
Posted on August 3, the video shows a paraglider flying near Pura Gunung Payung, a 16th-century Hindu temple perched atop a cliff in Kutuh Village, South Kuta.
In Balinese Hindu belief, it is considered disrespectful for anyone to be physically above a temple’s highest point, particularly during ceremonies.
The footage, reportedly taken from within the temple complex during a ritual, drew swift condemnation on social media and from cultural leaders. Among the most vocal critics was Senator Ni Luh Djelantik, a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) representing Bali.
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