ULUWATU TEMPLE

Uluwatu Temple, an ancient hindu temple with ocean vistas, is a sacred temple that is cherished by the people of Bali and tourists alike. Perched atop a cliff, the temple is surrounded by prehistoric relics that indicate the temple dates back to the 10th century. Do not miss out on the captivating Kecak dance performance while visiting Uluwatu temple.

Uluwatu also called Pura Luhur Uluwatu is popular among tourists for its splendid location. The word Ulu means the tip or top and water signifies rock or stone. The magnificent temple is seated on a cliff top, about 70 meters above sea level. It’s one of the six prominent temples looked upon as Bali’s sacred pillars.

The temple is known for breathtaking sunsets just like Tanah Lot Temple, gracing the picturesque island of Bali. The inner sanctum or chamber of Uluwatu Temple is perched on the steep edge cliff, imposing over the island’s famous surf that breaks south.

Uluwatu Temple is a traveller’s paradise for its stunning views of the ocean and delightful Kecak dance performances hosted at an amphitheatre close to the temple. The striking feature of Pura Luhur Uluwatu is its Balinese architecture, prehistoric sculptures, and conventionally designed gateways, adding to the temple’s attraction.

You will find numerous archaeological remains around the temple, which indicates that the Uluwatu Temple dates back to approx the tenth century. The temple has two entrances, one from the north and the other from the south.

The temple is surrounded by a small forest, inhabited by numerous monkeys, supposed to be the devoted guardians of Uluwatu Temple in Bali. Strong concrete walls on the cliffside protect the meandering pathway of this beautiful temple.

It takes around an hour or so to reach one end of the temple to the other. You will find numerous fenced points down the way to the temple, where you can halt for a while to rest or relax. The stunning views of the ocean wave rushing up against the rocks and the beautiful horizon will leave you awestruck.

Bali’s Hindu community considers that the power of Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, the Hindu Trinity, come together here in this temple. Their belief led to the construction of Uluwatu Temple, the worship place of Shiva Rudra, who is the Hindu deity of all aspects and essentials of life in this world.

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Highlights

• One of the six spiritual pillars of Bali, Uluwatu Temple is perched atop a cliff 70 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the ocean.
• Observe the famous Kecak dance, a group dance of 70-75 male dancers, which takes place every evening around sunset.
• Witness the marvelous architecture of this ancient temple featuring stone carvings on the entry gates.
• Uluwatu temple is dedicated to the worship of Hindu deities, Brahma, Shiva Rudra and Vishnu.

How To Reach

Location: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

You can reach the temple from Bali Airport via JL Raya Uluwatu Pecatu/Jl. Raya Marga-Apuan/Jl. Raya Denpasar, taking you around 45 minutes. You can take a cab that will cost you approx 300,000 IDR or 1426 INR or board the Perama bus that takes tourists to different parts of the island. You can also rent scooters to reach the temple while enjoying the tropical breeze.

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Best Time To Visit

1. From June to August is the best time to head for Uluwatu Temple because they are the coldest months on the island.
2. You can visit this beautiful temple during the morning to avoid the crowd and appreciate the serene environment. But if you want to see the famous Kecak dance performance which is held daily around 6 PM in the temple, you can choose to visit the place in the late afternoon around 4 PM.

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Other Essential Information

Location: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

Timings: The temple timings are from 7 am to 7 pm from Monday to Sunday.

Price: The entrance fee of the temple is 15,000 IDR for local tourists and 30,000 IDR for foreigners visiting Bali. All payments need to be made in Indonesian Rupiah. You must wear a sash and sarong for a temple visit and these are included in the entrance fee. 

History of Uluwatu Temple

According to the temple inscriptions, a Majapahit monk, Mpu Kuturan, initiated the construction of Uluwatu Temple. Mpu was also known for the construction of many other temples on the island of Bali.

A sacred priest hailing from eastern Java, Dang Hyang Dwijendra, preferred Uluwatu Temple to become the final destination of his pious journey. Many devotees consider that Dhang attained the peak point of his spiritual oneness by the striking of lightning and then the saint vanished.

Dhang after finishing a pious journey in Bali and thereafter returned to this temple, attaining Moksha. He passed away, completely disappeared, leaving his worldly existence and entering heaven or swargaloka. The temple was not accessible to the people until the year 1983 and after a lightning strike back in 1999, some portions of Uluwatu Temple were ablaze.

Since that time, the temple witnessed many renovation efforts to make it accessible to tourists. The legend goes as Dhang Hyang Dwijendra also called Danghyang Nirartha was the key designer of this spectacular temple and many others on the beautiful island of Bali, Sumbawa, and Lombok.

Another perception relating to the history of this temple is that Empu Kuturan has constructed Uluwatu Temple in the ninth century AD during the reign of Marakata. 

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Architectural Features of Uluwatu Temple

The two key entrances of the temple features split gates having floral and leave carvings. The front portion of these gates have a few sculptures resembling the human body with the head of an elephant. The temple represents Balinese architecture.

One of the striking architectural features of Uluwatu Temple is the 16th century Pura Dalem Jurit, featuring three statues and one of them is that of Lord Brahma.The other architectural marvels are dual troughs in the temple region, and if both are joined, they form a sarcophagus or Megalithic Coffin.

The major attractions of Uluwatu Temple are its traditional gateways, Balinese-style structural design, and old sculptures to mesmerize tourists from all over the world. The temple’s architectural style is a one-off with its palm-leaf black roof massed into the color black. 

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Uluwatu Temple Highlights and Features

The inner court of Uluwatu Temple features an open space with stone flooring and wooden building close to the north gate. Behind the key shrine, you will find a statue of a Brahmin, which faces the Indian Ocean. It is believed that the statue represents Dang Hyang Dwijendra.

Towards the west, from the entry path, you will notice a Paduraksa Gate opening the path right into the subsequent inner court. The roof here, unlike the others outside, the stone gate is complete with a proper roof. The door represents an arch enclosed with a collection of stones and a huge sculpture of a head just over the frame.

The top of this gate resembles a crown adorned with relief sculpture, which is a sight to behold. Next, you will find a small rectangle-shaped court towards the south that extends above the ocean expanse. The wooden structure at the court’s end appears like a sitting area, where tourists can relax and take in the beauty of the ocean.

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Uluwatu Kecak Dance

You will get an interesting glimpse into Balinese culture and performing arts when you visit Uluwatu Temple in Bali. Take delight in the Kecak dance hosted on the open stage of this temple. The dance performance commences at 6 pm and ends soon after sundown.

A dance troupe of 75 male dancers moves down onto the open stage with arms stretched and shaky hands held up in the air while singing their quick-paced Chak choruses over and over again.

The prelude consists of the five episodes of the great epic Ramayana with graceful dancers attired in decorative costumes enacting the epic with fast or slow tempos. The dance troupe looks marvelous on stage complementing a scene of love or trepidation.

The synopsis of Kecak dance is the story of Lord Rama, the Ayodhya prince exiled by his father, King Dasaratha after a conspiracy hatched by Rama’s stepmother Queen Kaikeyi. Then, Rama’s wife follows him and gets kidnapped by Ravana of Lanka. Then, Rama with the aid of monkey King Hanuman and his army set Sita free from Ravana’s clutches, after Ravana is killed in the battle.

The two lovers, Rama and Sita reunite once the sunsets and the fire burns and flickers in the middle of the stage against the backdrop of the dark sky and chants subsiding. Watch the fire dance with the sunset in the background.

The ticket prices of Kecak dance is 100,000 IDR per head. Book tickets in advance to avoid the rush and get the best seats. Head for the stage before 5 pm.

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