The rapid development of industry and economic activities in Bali not just bring a new dynamic to Balinese daily life but also contribute a new nuance to Balinese religion. The establishment of offices, governmental offices, banks, factories, malls, restaurants, shops, etc is usually followed by the establishment of a shrine in front of the shops or a small temple in the vicinity of the offices, factories, malls, etc especially on the northeastern area of the locale.

Small enterprises such as shops or boutiques or small offices usually build only a small Padmasana (Seat of God) shrines which are dedicated to god but in some areas they are dedicated to the goddess of fortune and trader (Dewi Melanting). These shrines have no anniversary date so no anniversary rituals are presented only small daily offerings, only in auspicious days such as full moon or new moon bigger and more elaborate offerings are presented. These shrines are maintained by the owner of the enterprises or by the land owners.

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Meru, an elaborate multi-tiered temple structure with thatched roof of sugar palm fiber called duk, is surely a prima ballerina of many temple courtyards. Towering majestically among other shrine, meru is a symbol of the temple prestige. A temple with an eleven-tiered meru is surely has more prestige than just a temple with a five-tiered Meru.

The shrines symbolize the world mountain, Gunung Maha Meru, and has one to eleven tiers or, as they are called, tumpang, or “levels.” There must always be an odd number, although one meru at Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi has two. The tumpang are square and diminish in size toward the top, so that the effect is that of a Chinese pagoda, except the colors are somber.

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