Bali, often called the "Island of the Gods," sits at a fascinating cultural crossroads of Indian and Southeast Asian island culture. Bali has been connected to India through maritime trade and cultural exchange for nearly two millennia, with Hinduism, Buddhism, Sanskrit, and Indian cultural ideas spreading across the region — initially through merchant networks and later through priestly ones — as indigenous populations mixed with Indians and incorporated their religious practices into the island’s preexisting culture.While mainland Indonesia eventually became predominantly Islamic — now the world's largest Muslim-majority nation — Bali has always remained a sanctuary and stronghold of the nation's Hindus, with roughly 80–90% of the island practicing Balinese Hinduism.What makes Balinese Hinduism especially unique is its syncretic nature. Over millennia, Indic traditions blended with older Austronesian and animist beliefs, ancestor worship, and local ritual practices. The result is a deeply integrated system in which these traditions merged so thoroughly that many of the original boundaries are difficult to fully reconstruct.We can trace strands of influence through inscriptions, temple architecture, and texts, and see a living tradition that evolved organically — Indian-influenced yet distinctly Balinese forms of Hinduism are apparent in the island's unique iconography, ritual systems, and mantra traditions.Ramayana themes are prominent throughout the island — widely depicted in temple carvings, dance dramas, and ritual storytelling. The epic traveled through the same cultural corridors that once connected India and Southeast Asia, but adopted a new flavor in Bali, with Hanuman becoming especially popular.Indonesia's national airline is called Garuda Indonesia and stands as a testament to the nation’s deep connection to Hinduism.Today, Bali stands as a living cultural landscape where ancient Indic influences, local belief systems, and modern Indonesian identity coexist — making it one of the most distinctive Hindu societies in the world outside of India.

Tukaram

Tukaram Das spent many years in India as a monastic, immersing himself in Vaisnava philosophy, ritual practices, and language. Alongside that traditional education, he’s also delved into the study of Balinese Hinduism, exploring how the Austronesian and Indian Hindu cultures uniquely merged. Back in Southern California, Tukaram serves as the Director of two temples in Laguna Beach and Long Beach. He also runs a vegan restaurant, an organic farm, and animal sanctuary, while managing an urban ashram that serves as a hub for spiritual growth and community engagement.

Rakta

Rakta is a skilled kirtaniya and drummer. He’s also a life-long devotee that sings from the heart and he will be leading us in kirtan every day throughout the tour.

"A grander vision of my life was made available to me with the love, support and accountability to believe I can reach for it and take real steps to achieve it. There is no going back, everything has changed."Ross K.

Testimonials

“I had such an amazing time in with the Pure Life Tours! Everything and everyone was delightful...from the guides I attended the retreat with, to the accommodations and excursions! I hope to attend another retreat in the future. Thanks for the great experience Pure Life Tours Team!”Sarah B.

“This was my very first international solo trip and I wouldn’t have wanted to experience this trip in any other way! The preparation and planning that went into my personal experience helped me to enjoy every minute of this trip.”Nick G.