Three sets of stairs lead visitors to the outer sanctum of the temple from the street. The landscape is terraced and is decorated with stone statues representing characters from the Indian epic Ramayana. Three gateways mark the entrance into the outer sanctum ("jaba pisan"). The central gateways or portal is in the form of paduraksa, which is unusual since paduraksa normally used to mark entrance into the inner main sanctum. The outer sanctum ("jaba pisan") features a banyan tree of at least 400 years old. The enormous banyan tree features a monk's cell high up in the branches. The tree is considered sacred by the people of Bangli. It is believed that if a branch of the tree broke, a disaster ("grubug") would follow, usually the death of a person. The location of the broken branch indicates the person that would die; if a branch is broke on the "kaja-kangin" (north-east) side, a king will die; if it is broke on the "kaja-kauh" (north-west) side, a brahmin will die; the "kelod-kangin" and the "kelod-kauh" means that a common people will die. Several "bale" (Balinese pavilions) located in the outer sanctum are the "bale gong" ("gong pavilion") where the gamelans are stored. The middle sanctum ("jaba tengah") is accessed via a candi bentar gateway. The middle sanctum acts as a transitional area between the outer sanctum and the inner sanctum. Several shrines ("pelinggih") are located in the middle sanctum. Other southwest side of the middle sanctum, the "perantenan" area, is used as a place to prepare ceremonial offerings. The uppermost inner sanctum ("jero") is the most sacred courtyard of the Balinese temple. The courtyard features an 11-tiered meru tower, the most sacred shrine of the Pura Kehen dedicated to the God that protects the temple. A padmasana lotus shrine is also located in this courtyard, dedicated to the highest Hindu Trimurti of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. Several other shrines surround the main meru tower, dedicated to the gods of the local geography e.g. the mountain gods. Porcelain plates decorate the wall below the inner sanctum.