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Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, well known as one of the most beutiful temple in Bali Island. Many travelers called it as the temple on the lake due to standing right on the lake with water surrounded. Located in highland called Bedugul, the temple area has a cooler temperature compare to south part of Bali. Bedugul also a favorite place among local people as a place for refreshing during weekend due to has beautiful mountain panorama. To get the Ulun Danu Beratan temple is very simple because located beside the main road that connecting south Bali or Denpasar and north Bali which is belong to Singaraja Regency. The temple can be reach by motorbike or car in 90 minutes drive from Denpasar to the North West.

The temple complex of Ulun Danu Beratan stand in western side of lake Beratan the second largest lake in Bali Island. The temple consist of buildings called "Meru" or temple building with storey made from a black palm tree fiber. One of temple with eleven roofs tier and most iconic stand on the lake. This part of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple becomes the most admired by the visitors and the most captured view on photograph. The amazing view with the calm lake water reflected the temple building creates beautiful floating impression. During the sunny day, the visitors will be able to have amazing picture on floating temple in every angle.

Before reach the main area of the temple, the traveler will pass well maintained garden with a colorful flowers and decorated with some statues make this temple worth and definitely place to visit during holiday in Bali. After temple visit, for traveler who want to have their lunch near the temple provide restaurants with multiple choices of menu from a la carte to buffet with tasty food and beautiful garden and lake view.

History of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple :

The history of the Ulun Danu Bratan temple can be found on archaeological data contained in inscription of "Babad Mengwi". The temple was built in the 17th century and dedicated to worship the three main Hindu God called Tri Murti which is Brahma-Wishnu-Shiwa. The local villagers also praying to Lake goddess or Dewi Danu as their blessed with a water ,fertile land and prosperity. As part of archaeological data, in the temple courtyard can be found two artifacts in form of stone boards and a sarcophagus. Base on this two artifacts can be estimated Ulun Danu Beratan Temple has been used as a place to hold rituals since the days of megalithic era.

According the ancient inscription of "Babad Mengwi", the founder of Mengwi Kingdom I Gusti Agung Putu had established the Ulun Danu temple before he established the Taman Ayun , the royal family temple in district of Mengwi - Badung Regency. In inscription not explained in the eulogy when the exact time he founded the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, but it was explained the establishment of Taman Ayun temple on Hindu year of Saka 1556 (1634 AD). Means the Ulun Danu Temple was established by the king I Gusti Agung Putu before Saka 1556.

Upon step inside the temple complex by entering the "Candi Bentar"(the temple gate), instantly noticeable some temples which is consist five temples and one Budhist stupa.

1. Penataran Agung Temple

The temple can be seen once passing the gate, this temple dedicated to worship the greatness of Ida Hyang Widhi Wasa (God) in his manifestation as God of Shiva, Sada Shiva, and Parama Shiva to invoke the gift of prosperity, fertility, and the balance of universe.

2. Dalem Purwa Temple

This temple consist of three main "Pelinggih" smaller temple, those are Dalem Purwa as a place to worship Goddess of Durga and God Rudra. Than Bale Murda Manik as a place for temple meetings to discuss anything related to ceremony in the temple and Bale Panjang as a place for put down the offerings during the ceremonies.

3. Beji Park Temple

The temple has function to perform the cleansing ritual or "Ngebejian" and to invoke the holy water for the ceremonies. Taman Beji temple also serves as a place for purification/cleansing ceremonies by Hindus in Bali for the surrounding community.

4. Lingga Petak Temple

This temple stands right on the lake often referred as Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. Inside the temple there is a sacred well which holds Tirta Ulun Danu (The Holy Water). Lingga Petak Temple is believed to be the main source of the water Lake Beratan fertility. The temple stand in two different place on the lake, the temple which has eleven roofs called "Meru Tumpang Solas" facing south, and smaller temple which has three roofs 'Meru Tumpang Telu' with four doors/small gate in every corners of wind direction .

5. Prajapati Temple

This temple located in front of temple main gate, right under a large banyan tree,serves as a place Godess of Durga. This temple facing west direction and becomes the first temple seen before entering the Lake Beratan area.

6. Buddhist Stupa

Apart of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, there is also a Buddhist Stupa located outside of the main area of the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple complex. This Buddhist Stupa also a symbol of harmony the religious life in Bali Island. Facing to the south direction this Buddhist temple still used for Buddhist rituals ceremony.

Regarding to the Ulundanu Beratan Temple Ceremony or "Piodalan" takes place every Anggara Kliwon Julungwangi on the Pawukon in Balinese calendar cycle which is held every 210 days. Piodalan is kind of Anniversary which is normally held twice a year and other bigger ceremony every 420 days called Piodalan Agung.