Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple one of the iconic temple on Bali Island located in south-west part of Bali Peninsula. Set on the cliff bank, the visitor will be amazed for beautiful Indian Ocean in south and north side of the temple. Uluwatu temple is part of Sad Khayangan temple or one of six main temple on Bali Island. Located in Pecatu village which is surrounded with white rocky hill and cliff, sub district South of Kuta, and Badung regency. Uluwatu temple also famous as a cliff temple, since the temple standing on the edge of 85 meters high cliff above the ocean. The wave that continuously crashed the cliff beneath the temple will provide amazing ocean panorama. Before reach the temple, the visitor will pass small dry forest, local people named it "Alas Kekeran" with a group of long tailed grey monkey playing around the forest. The  name of Uluwatu coming from the word of "Ulu" and "Watu". Those words in English can be translate which is Ulu means the head or ontop and Watu means Stone. So the name of Uluwatu can be translated freely as the holy sacred temple built in tip of the cliff. Balinese Hindu belief the temple dedicated to the God of Rudra, one of nine gods (Dewata Nawa Sanga) in Balinese Hindu religion who own south west direction. Balinese Hindu also believed Uluwatu Temple dedicated to the spirits of the sea  which is protected Bali Island from evil spirit from south west direction. In architectural Uluwatu temple built by black coral rock, due to many people visit he temple for praying and see beautiful ocean view, recently the local authority extend the temple area with white mountain rock in order to make a safe place for tourist who walk around the temple by the cliff edge.

The temple of Uluwatu is a popular place to see amazing sunset in Bali and in south side of temple built a open stage as place to perform a famous Kecak Dance during the sunset time. Most of visitor combine their visit to see the dance performance of Kecak which is tell the famous story of Ramayana. During visit to Uluwatu Temple, the visitor can explore the north side or north wings of the temple. The temple  have two wings  in cliff form with amazing ocean view in both side. The visitor not allowed to enter the praying area due to it is only use for devotees who came for praying. It is easy to get Uluwatu temple and can be reach by any kind vehicles due to a good road to the temple. If you not concern on the sunset view, the best time to visit is in the morning time with less visitors in the temple.

History of Uluwatu Temple :

There are two different opinions regarding the history of Uluwatu Temple. If we refer to to ancient inscription of  Kusuma Dewa explained, Uluwatu temple built by Empu Kuturan the Hindu holy priest in 11th century. During that time Bali Island was ruled by King Sri Wira Dalem Kesari with kingdom palace in Kahuripan Besakih in slope of Mount Agung in year 1135AD. Other people claimed Pura Luhur Uluwatu was built by the holy priest Dang Hyang Nirarta / Dwijendra who coming from Daha Kingdom in east part of Java Island. In ancient inscription explained Dang Hyang Nirarta coming to Bali in 1546AD for his spiritual journey.  During his journey to Bali Island the holy priest also named Ida Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh built some of main temple in Bali such as Perancak temple and Rambut Siwi Temple in west Bali, Tanah Lot Temple, Petitenget Temple in north Seminyak. In the end of his spiritual journey he found a cliff that facing the ocean and choose became his final worshiping place. Balinese people believed Uluwatu temple is a place where Dang Hyang Dwijendra reached the highest spiritual point called "Moksa" or united with Almighty God Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. The body of holy priest dissapeared completly with a strike of lightning on the tip of the cliff where the Uluwatu Temple stand now.

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Entrance Ticket/Donation :

• Entrance Fee IDR 50,000/Person (Foreign)
• Entrance Fee IDR 30,000/Person (Domestic)
• Parking Fee IDR 2,000/Car

Closest Place of Interest:

• Suluban Beach ( 2 Km)
• Padang Padang Beach (4 Km)
• Garuda Wishnu Kencana - GWK (11 Km)
• Melasti Beach (11 Km) 
• Dreamland Beach (12 Km)
• Jimbaran Bay (16 Km)
• Pandawa Beach (17 Km)
• Nusa Dua Beach (18 Km)
• Tanjung Benoa Beach (23 Km)

Tips & Information:

• Uluwatu Temple open for visitor from 09:00 - 18:00
• Sarong and sash is provided free by the ticket box.
• Women during their period NOT ALLOWED enter the temple.
• Becarefull of monkeys arround the temple
• Do not allowed to feeding the monkey
• Be careful of your loose belonging (glasses, hat etc,,), sometime the monkey try to grab it.
• In case the monkey taken your personal belonging, please contact temple guard.
• If interesting to see Kecak dance performance, please inform your driver/guide.