Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple ~ Bali

The best comes last. The cherry on top of our Bali adventure! It was a gloriously sunny day. The humidity was high as usual. The sky was clear. So, we decided to spend our last day and evening in Uluwatu.

Uluwatu is famous for its thousand-year-old temple which is one of the oldest holy places in Bali. The Hindu temple Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of the key nine Kahyangan Jagat (directional temples) and spiritual pillars of Bali. These temples are meant to protect Bali against the evil sea spirits who live in the ocean. All nine temples were built on “strategic locations” – they form a chain along the coast of Bali. The chain of temples ensures the good luck of Bali.

Did you know that … For the Balinese Hindus, God is in the colour too: the main colours are red, white, yellow and blue. Each one belongs to a God: Red – Brahma, Black – Wisnu, white – Iswara, Yellow – Mahadeva, and Blue – Sambhu. When all colours are mixed together they become Siwa!

Six of the nine directional temples are classified as Sad Kahyangan – the Six Sanctuaries and holiest places of the World. Uluwatu temple is one of these.

Uluwatu Temple was built on the top of a steep cliff of black coral rock, 90 meters above the Indian Ocean! Different from all other Temples in Bali (which face west or south), this one head east. Uluwatu’s location provides a spiritual balance to the island. The outstanding view from the coastline was like none of the unique coastal formations I have seen already! The scenery there is more than breathtaking!

Although not as famous as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu is another sparkling spot for enjoying the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. But unlike Tanah Lot, Uluwatu is less commercialized. Because of its unique location, we had to climb the long stone stairway to reach it. But it pays off! I promise!

Did you know that … Good and Evil (Gods and Demons): Balinese believe and respect both Gods and Demons. Demons, Evil and bad spirits live in the sea (ocean, rivers, coastline) – therefore you won’t find many Hindu Balinese living right next to the beach. Gods and good spirits, in contrast, live in the mountains.

Uluwatu Temple: How to Get There

Uluwatu Temple is located on the southern tip of  Bali in Pecatu Village (Kuta Sub-district, Badung District). The temple is also about 30 km from Denpasar (ca 1h by car), 23 km from Kuta (ca 40 minutes by car), 20 km from Nusa Dua (ca 40 minutes by car), 50 km from Ubud (ca 1h 30 minutes by car), 115 km from Amed (ca 3h by car), and 70 km from Padang Bai (ca 1h 45 minutes by car). Uluwatu Temple is the southernmost point of Bali and is also known as Bukit Peninsula among tourists.

Uluwatu Temple: Thing To Know Before You Go

Opening Hours: Uluwatu Temple is open  every day from Monday to Sunday  from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for tourists and 24 hours for worship purposes

Parking: 5.000 IDR for cars, and 2.000 IDR for motorbikes

Tickets: Adults 30.000 IDR (0,40 €), Children and Students 15.000 IDR (0,20 €)

Dressing Code: Women and Men got to wear long *purple* sarongs, as well as appropriate clothes common for temple visits

Kecak and Fire Dance: The show is performed every day at the adjacent cliff-top stage at 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

What Does Uluwatu Mean

Uluwatu Temple History

The Balinese Hindus believe that the three main Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva become one here, which results in the building Uluwatu Temple. The accretion of the three Gods was the birth of Siva Rudra – the God of all elements and aspects of life in the whole universe.

There are two main theories questioning the origin of the Uluwatu Temple. The first one says that the temple was built by Empu Kuturan in the 9^th AD, during Marakata’s reign. The second theory claims that Uluwatu was built by Dang Hyang Nirartha, a Hindu monk from Daha Kingdom in East Java in 1546 AD. Uluwatu was the final worshipping place of Niratha’s spiritual journey.

However, some archaeological surveys from India prove that the temple is of megalithic origin and was built somewhen in the 10^th century.

On Anggara Kasih Day the Balinese celebrate the temple's anniversary. Anggara Kasih usually lasts for three days! This happens every six months, based on the Balinese year cycle with 210 days (Pawukon cycle).