Uluwatu Temple, also known as Pura Uluwatu, is a sacred Hindu temple located in Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia. Uluwatu Temple, also referred to as Luwur Temple, is one of the six Sad Kahyangan temples, the main spiritual pillars on the island of Bali.
Etymologically, the name Uluwatu comes from the words “ulu,” meaning end, top, or peak, and “watu,” meaning stone. Thus, Uluwatu Temple can be interpreted as a sacred place built on the top of a coral stone.
Uluwatu Temple was founded based on the concepts of Sad Winayaka and Padma Bhuwana. As a temple established with the concept of Sad Winayaka, Uluwatu Temple is one of the Sad Kahyangan temples designed to preserve Sad Kertih (Atma Kerti, Samudra Kerti, Danu Kerti, Wana Kerti, Jagat Kerti, and Jana Kerti). Meanwhile, as a temple founded based on the concept of Padma Bhuwana, Uluwatu Temple was built as an aspect of God that governs the southwest direction. Three Tri Murti shrines are dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva Rudra.
History of Uluwatu Temple According to candi.perpusnas.go.id, there are two opinions about the establishment of Uluwatu Temple. The first opinion states that Mpu Kuturan, during the reign of Marakata, was the founder of Uluwatu Temple. As mentioned in the Usana Bali manuscript, Mpu Kuturan or Mpu Rajakreta established many temples in Bali, including Uluwatu Temple. Another manuscript, “Padma Bhuwana,” also mentions the establishment of Uluwatu Temple as Pura Padma Bhuwana by Mpu Kuturan in the 11th century.
The second opinion links the construction of Uluwatu Temple to the figure of Dang Hyang Nirartha, who came from the Kingdom of Daha (Kediri) in East Java. He arrived in Bali in 1546 during the reign of Dalem Waturenggong. Dang Hyang Nirartha is believed to be the founder of Uluwatu Temple located on Pecatu Hill. After a spiritual journey around Bali, Dang Hyang Nirartha returned to Uluwatu Temple and achieved ‘moksha,’ leaving the worldly realm for the divine realm.
Parts of Uluwatu Temple Uluwatu Temple stands on a cliff facing the Indian Ocean, with a height of approximately 70 meters above sea level. Unlike other temples in Bali that generally face west or south, Uluwatu Temple’s main structure faces east.
The temple consists of three courtyards: the outer courtyard (jaba sisi), the middle courtyard (jaba tengah), and the main courtyard (jeroan). When viewed from above, Uluwatu Temple tapers with a decreasing size toward the main courtyard.
To reach Uluwatu Temple, visitors must climb stone stairs of considerable height. At the top of the stairs, two entrance gates to the temple complex can be found, one to the north and one to the south. These gateways take the form of ‘gapura bentar,’ stone structures with human-elephant-headed statues in a standing position in front of them.
The front wall of the ‘gapura’ is adorned with finely carved motifs of leaves and flowers. Behind the gate is a stepped stone floor corridor leading to the inner courtyard, lined with shaded trees along the way. The inner courtyard is an open space with neatly arranged stone floors and wooden buildings on the northern side. Opposite the entrance, there is a ‘paduraksa’ gate, the entrance to a deeper courtyard.
The ‘paduraksa’ gate is a roofed gate made of stone. The doorway is arched and framed by stone arrangements, with giant head carvings above the threshold. The pinnacle of the gate takes the form of a crown and is adorned with various carved motifs.
The gap between the gate and the walls on the left and right sides of the courtyard is closed by decorated walls. To the south, there is a small elongated courtyard projecting towards the sea. At the end of the courtyard, there is a wooden structure that appears to be a place for people to sit while enjoying the view of the ocean.
Uniqueness of Uluwatu Temple The allure of Uluwatu Temple for tourists comes from various unique features. One of Uluwatu Temple’s uniqueness lies in its location atop a cliff with a view of the ocean. The Uluwatu area is still pristine, with a forest inhabited by groups of monkeys often roaming around the temple.
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali, Uluwatu Temple is known for its beautiful sunset views. Therefore, the best time to enjoy the scenery at Uluwatu Temple is by gazing at its silhouette during sunset. Not surprisingly, Uluwatu Temple is considered one of the best places to enjoy a sunset in Bali.
Additionally, the Uluwatu area is home to a troop of monkeys, and there is a location for the traditional Kecak dance performance. The Kecak dance performance at Uluwatu Temple is one of the popular attractions on the Island of the Gods.
Location of Uluwatu Temple Uluwatu Temple is located in Pecatu Village, Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali. Uluwatu Temple is only 27 kilometers from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, reachable in approximately 40 minutes. If departing from the Kuta area, visitors will travel for about 40 to 60 minutes to reach this location. To get there, tourists can use various transportation options, including motorcycles, cars, or buses.
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours of Uluwatu Temple Here is the list of Uluwatu Temple ticket prices in 2022, as quoted from Kompas.com (September 29, 2022). In the Uluwatu Temple area, there are two types of tickets available for visitors: an entrance ticket to the temple area and a ticket to watch the Kecak dance. The entrance ticket prices for Uluwatu Temple for domestic and international tourists are as follows:
- Children (4-9 years old): Rp 30,000 per person.
- Adults (over 9 years old): Rp 50,000 per person. Special sarongs called “kain poleng” must be worn by visitors while inside the temple and can be obtained at the ticket counter.
To enjoy the Kecak dance performance at Uluwatu Temple, both domestic and international tourists will be charged an entrance fee of Rp 150,000 per person. The opening hours of Uluwatu Temple are from 07:00 to 19:30 WITA every day. The ticket counter for the Kecak dance performance opens at 16:30 WITA. The Kecak dance performance starts at 18:00 WITA, coinciding with the sunset.
Therefore, if you are planning a vacation to Bali, Indonesia, be sure to include Uluwatu Temple in your list of tourist destinations. To get a glimpse of the surroundings of Uluwatu Temple, you can check out the video from Dewi Novala’s YouTube channel below:
original post by : denpasar.kompas.com
original video by : Dewi Novala
