Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple - the most important information

Uluwatu Temple (Balinese: Pura (Luhur) Uluwatu) is a Balinese Hindu sea temple located in Uluwatu (South Kuta, Badung). The temple is regarded as one of the Sad Kahyangan and is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in his manifestation as Rudra. The Uluwatu temple Bali area is set on the top of the cliff bank, facing the Vast Indian Ocean.

History of the Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu temple history is based on an old script Kusuma Dewa wrote in 1005 AD. The temple builds based on the advice of Mpu Kuturan (a Java sage in the 11 century). Mpu Kuturan also influences the construction of other temples in Bali and is mostly located in the southern part of Bali island. The temple considers built around the 10th century. Several archaeological megalithic remains were found at Uluwatu Temple, Bali. In 1489 AD, Dang Hyang Dwijendra (another Sage from Java who was born in Kediri, East Java) after getting married was given by his father-in-law the duty to rearrange the religious life in Bali. After finishing his obligation, Dang Hyang Dwijendra decide that the Uluwatu temple is the final location of his spiritual journey.

What can you see in the Uluwatu Temple?
Uluwatu is not just a regular temple. In fact, Uluwatu is considered to be one of the 6 holiest places on the island: The Sad Kahyangan. Situated on the edge of the Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is one of the pivotal points of the island. These harmonized points are believed to bring a spiritual balance to Bali. Here you can discover much more than just a religious temple, and some of the things are:

Uluwatu is not just a spiritual place of mystical proportions, it is also home to an impressive population of crab-eating macaques. Prepare to see some serious monkey business with these mischievous primates. A small forest lies at the front and hundreds of monkeys dwell here. They are believed to guard the temple against bad influences. The serpentine pathway to the temple is fortified by concrete walls on the cliffside. Thick hedges of green shrubs and plants dot the white cliff face, with frangipani trees, and these simians dominating most of the Bukit area.
The west coast of Bali is a paradise on Earth for sunset lovers. Wherever you go, you can’t really go wrong. Uluwatu in particular is one of the best places to see the Bali sunset. The stunning orange glow on the sandy beaches is a view to die for. Of course, the silhouette of a mysterious temple will 100% complete your picture, so consider heading to Uluwatu for an unforgettable evening.
Balinese dance is in a league of its own. The dance styles are celebrated for their artistic value and incredibly complex hand gestures. The Kecak Fire Dance, also known as the “Monkey Dance” is particularly flaming. There are regular performances at Uluwatu, so the sure way to see Balinese dance is to combine your visit to the temple with a dance performance in the evening. During high season, tickets are 100,000 IDR (6-7 Euro) for sunset performances.

Opening hours and tickets for Uluwatu Temple

Opening hours: Uluwatu Temple is open for visitors daily from 09.00 AM to 07.00 PM, and for worship purposes, it is open for 24 hours daily. Generally, all time is a good time to visit Uluwatu Temple though you may find some rain in the evening during the rainy season.
Tickets: Visits to the Uluwatu Temple are subject to an entrance fee of IDR 15,000 for domestic tourists and IDR 30,000 for foreigners. The ticket can be bought at the ticket counter which is located just in front of the main gate of the temple. And the payment should be cash in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

How to get to the Uluwatu Temple?

Uluwatu Temple sits about 45 minutes from the Denpasar airport and Kuta area by road. 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 is combined with a 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 renting a car with a driver.