ULUWATU TEMPLE

Uluwatu Temple is one of the best tourist destinations to visit during the sunset time and this place is very crowded by tourists everyday. Balinese called this temple Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of six key temples believed to be Bali spiritual pillars. Is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 meters above sea level. This temple also shares the splendid sunset backdrops as that of Tanah Lot Temple, another important sea temple located in the island western shores. The temple is definitely one of the top places on the island to go to for sunset delights, with direct views overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean and daily Kecak dance performances.

How to Get to Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is located in the southern tip of Bali, exactly in Pecatu Village, Kuta South District of Badung, Bali. It is at the southern part of Bali at a place known to tourists as Bukit Peninsula. About 25km south of Kuta and it usually takes around one hour to get to and from there. There's no public transportation to get here. The most convenient way to get there is on a guided tour like Uluwatu Temple Tour which combines Kecak dance and a romantic dinner on Jimbaran Beach. But it’s also possible to arrive by taxi from just about anywhere on the island, or by renting a car with a driver and taking a tour of Southern Bali to discover some of the best hidden gems.

Best Time to Visit Uluwatu Temple

The best time to visit uluwatu temple is just before sunset. Kecak and Fire Dance Performance is performed everyday at the adjacent cliff-top stage at 18:00 PM to 19:00 PM, visitors are charged a nominal fee. What makes it the most favourite venue to watch a Kecak dance is the sunset background of the performance. There's no public transportation to get here and going back into town will be difficult without any prearranged ride or taxi. We have a tour program for visiting this Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance, can read the details here: Half Day Uluwatu Sunset Tour. Apart from the tour packages that we offer, we from Bali Tour also offer car charter facilities to go to the Uluwatu temple, so you will enjoy the atmosphere more without having to rush into joining the tour program, with very affordable prices and an experienced driver will make this trip to uluwatu temple even more fun.

What to Expect at Uluwatu Temple

The highlight of Uluwatu Temple is where you can see the beauty of the temple which is located on a rock cliff with a height of 70 meters from the bottom, seeing this view is very amazing and becomes a very beautiful photo background with a very stunning blue sea background. Seeing the sunset here is so amazing, where the dim light from the sun creates an incomparable beautiful scenery, as if spoiling your eyes to see, a very extraordinary sensation and so perfect to be immortalized in photos with natural beauty that is very charming and unique. Because of how beautiful it is, it's no wonder that many tourists come here to see the sunset with the background of Uluwatu Temple uluwatu and the expanse of the blue ocean here.

Seeing a group of monkeys occupying the area, here there are several monkeys that often roam around Uluwatu Temple, and these monkeys are cared for by the temple administrators and fed every day so as not to disturb tourists who visit here, even though they have been fed, the name is definitely an animal. have a naughty nature, this is understandable. Watching the Kecak dance near the temple, where there is an open theater to watch the early Kecak dance, and this Kecak dance starts in the afternoon at 18.00 - 19.00 pm with a duration of 1 hour of performance, while the story that is narrated tells the story of the Ramayana, and is presented so beautifully so you will be carried away by the storyline. Those are some things you can see if you visit the temple uluwatu in South Bali islands.

Uluwatu Temple History

Etymologically the word "Ulu" means "the end, top, or peak", while "Watu" means "Stone". So Uluwatu Temple means a sacred place built on the top of a rock, is Balinese Hindu Uluwatu Temple that located in the southwest direction as a temple to worship God in the form of Batara Shiva Rudra, is an ancient uluwatu temple in Bali, the historical background of the establishment of this Luhur Uluwatu Temple, although it is not clear when it was built, it is estimated that it was built during the Sri Msula-Masuli husband and wife kingdom around the 9th century, built by Mpu Kuturan or by MPU Rajacreta title. There are two different opinions concerning the history of the temple.

Uluwatu Temple First Opinions: Some people believe that Uluwatu Temple was built by Empu Kuturan in 9th AD, during Marakata’s reign. Mpu Kuturan is a Buddhist priest from the village of Girah in East Java, he came to Bali because of the urge to teach dharma and religion, was very instrumental in uniting the sects in Bali, so that the Kahyangan Tiga temple was realized, the manifestation of God as the Tri god. Murti and denied Kembulan. The history of the establishment of the Luhur Uluwatu temple, related to ancient relics or the physical form of the uluwatu temple, such as the bracket temple or the Kori gelung agung in the temple courtyard that limits the temple grounds, characterizes that this temple is an ancient relic, the physical form indicates that the uluwatu temple existed before Mpu Kuturan came to Bali. However, no inscription has been found that mentions the exact year the temple was founded, because some sources say this temple was built at the suggestion of Mpu Kuturan.

Uluwatu Temple Second Opinions: Other people claim that Uluwatu Temple was built by Dang Hyang Nirartha, He came from Java to Bali during the reign of King Gelgel, namely Dalem Waturenggong, Has many names or titles, namely Dang Hyang Dwijendra, and Ida Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh. Danghyang Nirartha came to Bali in 1489 AD during the reign of Dalem Waturenggong, Danghyang Nirartha came to Bali in the context of the dharmayatra, but his dharmayatra would never return to Java. The priest on the journey of Tirta Yatra in Bali has built several temples in remote parts of the island of Bali, including the Uluwatu Temple that located in Pecatu hill, after completing his mission for spiritual journey Tirta Yatra, Danghyang Dwijendra returned to uluwatu temple for receive the revelation. He moksa (died and his body vanished), leaving the Marcapada (worldly life) and entering Swargaloka (heaven).

Uluwatu Temple Ceremony

​The Piodalan or ceremony commemorating the Uluwatu Temple anniversary is held on Anggara Kasih day, in wuku Medangsia in the Caka calendar. Usually the ceremony lasts for three days thronged by thousands of Hindus. The Balinese Hindus believe that the three divine powers of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva become one here. That belief results in making Uluwatu Temple the place of worship of Siva Rudra, the Balinese Hindu deity of all elements and aspects of life in the universe. Uluwatu is also dedicated to protect Bali from evil sea spirits. Every six months according to the Balinese 210-day Pawukon cycle, big temple anniversary celebrations are held at Uluwatu Temple. The temple's keeper, the royal family of Jro Kuta from Denpasar, are patrons for the event. Believers regard it as a manifestation of the divine power that protects the temple uluwatu. Public facilities are available, but not in the uluwatu temple area. Unlike some other tourist destinations in Bali, the temple area has limited amounts of hassling vendors.​

Kecak and Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple

As for enjoying the beautiful sunset view with an amazing ocean background, there are other tourist attractions that are no less interesting, namely watching Kecak and Fire Dance Performance at this Uluwatu Temple. The location of this Kecak dance is not far from the temple with an open air theater designed to accommodate many people and with a very beautiful view point overlooking the ocean and temple. So while you watch the Kecak dance, you can see the beauty of the sunset and the beauty of Uluwatu Temple from the theater. It's an amazing experience where you can see three very beautiful things in one place which is uluwatu, sunset and kecak dance. The duration of this Kecak dance ranges from one hour in duration by bringing the story from the Ramayana where Hanuman is assigned to free Sinta from Ravana's abduction. A very legendary story, very well presented so that it will not make you bored, but very entertained. If you want to watch this Kecak dance, we suggest coming early at Uluwatu Temple for buy this Kecak ticket because this show is always very crowded.

Uluwatu Temple Entrance Ticket

Adult : IDR 50,000
Children : IDR 30,000
Opening Hours : 07.00 AM - 07.00 PM