Temple visitors tossed for flouting customs

A Russian father pushing a baby stroller was escorted out of an Indonesian temple for wearing disrespectful clothing. In a video clip that has gone viral, the tourist is seen being led out of the temple by security guards on the holiday island of Bali. It was posted on Info Amlapura Official — Bali and revealed that the family was improperly attired. Officials have been cracking down on visitors who fail to respect “non-negotiable” customs and traditions central to Balinese culture. Tourists are expected to respect certain guidelines when visiting Balinese Hindu temples, regardless of their faith. Rules include wearing a modest shirt, a sarong and a sash around the waist. Guests are also expected to cover up bare legs, to tie back long hair and to avoid shorts or bikinis. The Russian family flouted the rules when visiting Pura Agung Besakih, a temple at the foot of the Mount Agun volcano in East Bali, the New Zealand Herald reported. Dating to 1007 AD, it is often referred to as the Mother Temple and is the most spiritually significant of the island’s 86 temples. When approached by security officers, the Russian father “gestured rudely” and refused to comply. I Gusti Lanang Muliarta, of the agency that oversees the sacred area, said the visitors were twice intercepted trying to enter the temple, “but the officers lost the argument because the foreigners were a little arrogant.” The Russians were eventually escorted out after refusing to buy entry tickets, The Bali Sun reported.