Ubud has to be one of the most unusual towns I have ever visited; the vast amount of religious architecture, temples and shrines that exist in every street and between many modern store fronts is unprecedented.

It’s almost as if there are religious structures and artefacts everywhere you go or look.

Initially this makes for some unusual sights; particularly where traditional structures co-exist with modern retail stores although, after a while, such sights can become so commonplace, almost to the point of visual fatigue, that you hardly notice.

This was almost the case when I nearly passed one of the more prominent religious structures in the centre of Ubud - Pura Taman Saraswati (a Balinese Hindu temple dedicated to Saraswati - the Goddess of art, literature and knowledge).

Built in 1955 under the supervision of renowned Bali architect, painter and sculptor Gusti Nyoman Lempad the temple is situated in front of a large lotus pond with a gangway bisecting the pond in half.

Visually the grounds of the temple are very beautiful; one can look out across the lily ponds towards the temple itself and take in the sight of the various carvings, architectural forms and reliefs that are woven into the structure of the temple.

These feature various Balinese Hindu iconography such as the Barong (king of the good spirits and a protector for the Balinese people) and Jero Gede Mecaling (the honourable fanged one or king of the demons) along with many other figures and motifs typical of Balinese temple structures.

To the right of the temple is the Cafe Lotus restaurant and, towards the entrance a small souvenir stall and, somewhat distastefully, a Starbucks coffee house (to the right of the entrance to the temple grounds) so visitors can seek food, refreshments and gifts, if they so wish.

Entry to the temple grounds is free although visitors cannot enter the temple itself and the area can, and does, fill up with visitors quite quickly. You won’t need more than 20 minutes to visit this particular location unless you attend during the evening where a traditional Balinese dance (Legong) may be taking place (which a fee will be charged for attendance).

Near to Pura Taman Saraswati is Ubud Palace, Ubud market and, within 20 minutes walk, Campuhan ridge walk. As a visit to Pura Taman Saraswati won’t take more than 20 minutes you can combine visiting the temple with the previously mentioned locations and maximise the number of sights to see during your day in central Ubud.