Padmasana, the seat of God is an obligatory shrine that must be established in every Balinese Hinduism temple. No temple is considered to be complete without this shrine. The word Padmasana is derived fro the word “padma” means “lotus” and “sana” means “seat”, Balinese believed that God sits on a lotus flower. It is a roofless shrine with an empty throne on its top, the throne of God.

The padmasana presents the form of Balinese macrocosmos. It is divided into three sections – the familiar Tri Loka: Bhur (the world of demon), Bwah (the world of human), Swah (the world of gods). At the base of padmasana, in Bhur Loka is Bedawang Nala (the turtle of universe) which support the world on its back. It is being held by two snakes, Anantaboga and Basuki. It is sometimes said that the snakes are holding the turle so as to keep it from causing catastrophic earthquake by moving too violently.

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Ancestors are very important to the Balinese. Each Balinese family has a family temple to worship God almighty and glorify the ancestor and of course, in this family temple ancestors worship is given a great emphasis.

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The family temple is usually situated in the kaja-kangin corner – kaja being in the direction of the holy Gunung Agung, kangin being east. In low caste families this temple is called a sanggah. Higher caste families use the term merajan or pemerajan. Although the family temple may contain shrines dedicated to manifestations of the Hindu God, Sang Hyang Widhi, the main focus is upon the deified ancestors of family. Shrines of gods are more prominent in public temples. The family temple may be small or large, but it almost always well maintained, and the family is careful to place offerings in the shrines whenever appropriate, often daily.

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