Uluwatu Temple, the Balinese call Pura Luhur Uluwatu is located on the “leg” of Bali, western on top of a steep hill of Bukit Peninsula, it’s a miracle that the temple still stands there on the top of a coral hill that has withstood the pounding of waves for hundreds years. Uluwatu Temple already existed in the 11th century around 1001M by Mpu Kuturan in era of King Marakata, and other source explains that Uluwatu Temple was much related with Danghyang Dwi Jendra’s voyage in spreading Hinduism to Balinese people during the 15th century (1489 M), until He reached the highest spiritual level Moksa (salvation, eternal union with God) in Bali. This makes Uluwatu Temple classified as Dang Kahyangan Jagat (directional temple) which means public temple having relationship to the pilgrimage of the saint of Dang Hyang Dwi Jendra in Bali such as Ulun Danau Batur Temple(north), Pasar Agung Temple(northeast), Lempuyang Luhur Temple (east), Goa Lawah Temple(southeast), Masceti Temple(south), Batukaru Temple(west), Ulun Danau Bratan Temple (northwest), Besakih Temple (center) and Uluwatu Temple(southwest).
Some people suggest that “Uluwatu” come from the words of Wulu and Watu. Wulu means head and watu is stone, so Uluwatu Temple means temple on the top of stone. The construction,which is in the form of gate and statue at this temple resembles to Sakenan Temple in Serangan, besides there is a small Candi, spilt gate or candi bentar and two elephant statues or Gajah watra. Structure of Uluwatu Temple is divided into three yards; outer yard, middle yard and inner yard. At outer yard there is Dalem Jurit Temple, at middle yard there is a great candi as an entrance to inner yard, winged candi bentar and two elephants statues, and at inner yard there is a three leveled Meru as a throne for Sang Hyang Widi (God) in his manifestation ad Dewa Rudra the ruler God of south west Bali. There is also two halls as a place for ritual offerings, a candi as Batara Segara throne and as symbol of turning over the Mandara Giri mountain, when the God was looking for thirta amerta (holy water0 in the ocean.
Uluwatu Temple’s sacred day (ritual ceremony) is held every six months on anggar kasih medangsia. When this day comes, thousands of Hindu’s in Bali gather to perform the ritual day until night. The ceremony goes on for 3 to 7 days. If you visit the place on this day, be prepared to be jostled along with all the Hindu pilgrims. Must be aware because the monkey sometime very naughty and disturb visitors by looking for food.
Other destination around Uluwatu Temple; Nyangyang beach, famous surf break Uluwatu beach or Suluban beach or Blue Point, Padang-padang beach, Bingin, Dreamland beach or New Kuta beach, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, Kutuh the hidden beach, green ball beach.
How to get to Uluwatu Temple; 1 hour 30 minutes from Sanur, 344 minutes from Nusa Dua, 1 hour from Kuta or Tuban area. From Nusa Dua, will pass through Pecatu Village. From Kuta, hill climbing road through Kedodongan and Jimbaran will bring you here.
To visit Uluwatu Temple please read our tour packages: Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance and Jimbaran Dinner Tour andUbud, Uluwatu Temple and Jimbaran Bay Tour