Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali’s kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the SW, in which dwell major deities, in Uluwatu’s case; Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures. Bali’s most spectacular temples located high on a cliff top at the edge of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in Badung Regency. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Uluwatu Temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views.

This is a popular place to enjoy the sunset. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Uluwatu Temple Most of Bali’s regencies have Pura Luhur (literally high temples or ascension temples) which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan anniversaries. The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave temple, Goa Lawah, is also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on the coast, however but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Ulun Danu Temple

Ulun Danu Temple lies by the western banks of Lake Bratan in the Bedugul Highlands at a level of 1239m,  is one of the most picturesque and most photographed temples in Bali. Ulun Danu is inside the caldera of the now extinct volcano Gunung Catur. It is one of the main sources of irrigation in the Balinese highlands, and so the temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the lake goddess. Pilgrims come to pay homage, and to ensure bountiful harvests. According to the ancient manuscript of the Mengwi Kingdom, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan was built in 1633 by I Gusti Agung Putu, the King of Mengwi, the same person who later built Taman Ayun Temple.

Inside the main gate, you come upon a large stupa with carvings, then the main temple Pura Teratai Bang. Then there’s a smaller temple, Pura Dalem Purwa, dedicated to the goddess of food and drinks. On the shore of the lake are two multi-tiered merus. The bigger, 11-tier menu, is the abode of the god of Gunung Mangu. Gunung Mangu is said to be the abode of Wisnu, hence the meru is dedicated to Wisnu. The other shrine is that of Lingga Petak. It is smaller and further away in the lake. This shrine, with a three-tier meru, is dedicated to Shiva. It is reachable only by canoe. When the shrine was renovated in 1968, three long round stones were discovered at the foundation, coloured red, white and black. The white stone was believed to be a “lingga”, a phallic symbol of Shiva, and associated with the worship of fertility.

Ulun Danu Batur Temple

Ulun Danu Batur Temple, built in 1926, is the second most important temple complex of Bali, after the mother temple Besakih. Ulun Danu Batur Temple is dedicated to Dewi Batari Ulun Danu, goddess of lakes and rivers. “Ulun Danu” literally translates as “head of the lake”. Until 1926 Ulun Danu Batur Temple and the village of Batur were located down in the caldera, at the foot of the Batur volcano.

After the volcano erupted violently in 1926, both the village and the temple were destroyed except for the most important shrine, an 11-tiered meru dedicated to Dewi Batari Ulun Danu. The villagers moved to the highest and oldest rim of the caldera where they rebuilt their village and the temple. Actually the Ulun Danu Batur Temple is a complex of nine different temples, containing in total 285 shrines and pavilions dedicated to the gods and goddesses of water, agriculture, holy springs, art, crafts, etc.

Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul Temple or Tampak Siring Temple is a holy spring water temple located in Tampak Siring Village, Gianyar regency and it is about 39 km eastwards from Denpasar town. It is set in the dale and encircled by the hill. In the west side of this temple, there is an Indonesian President palace which has been found by the first president. The name of Tirta Empul is loaded in a inscription which is kept at Sakenan Temple, Manukaya village, Sub district of Tampak Siring, about 3 km from Tirta Empul Temple. In this inscription, the Tirta Empul is named by the Tirta Ri Air Hampul and then the name has changed into Tirta Hampul and finally become the Tirta Empul.

Tirta Ri air hampul is meaning the water emerge or the holy pool (Petirthan) which is the water emerge from the land. The wellspring emerges from the land is believed that it is the infinite creation. According to the history, that, that this water source is arranged and sanctified by king Indrajayasinghawarmadewa in the year 882 Saka (960 M). He has given the name with Tirta ri air hampul. The data is loaded in the inscription that is located at Sakenan Temple. Besides of the above epigraphy data, in Tirta Empul Temple is also found the archaeology omission like Colossus Yoni, Arca Lion, Tepasana and Tirta Empul Pool.

According to papyrus of Usana Bali narrated that Tirta Empul is created by Bhatara Indra (Sun Deity) when bearing arms against the king where his palace is located in Bedahulu Countryside. He is known as a very miraculous king, which he can lose or show suddenly, therefore he is named by Mayadenawa. Because of its miracle, he becomes the arrogance and expressing himself as a god. The Mayadenawa King owns the assistant (Patih) which is called Kalawong. They prohibit the people to do the Yadnya (praying to the god) so that is often happened the natural disaster, disease epidemic, agriculture fail and finally miserable life society.

Finally Betara Indra (one of Hindu God) gives battle against the kings that happened in Tampak Siring and then the Mayadenawa is gone to the wall and disappear. King Mayadenawa has also created poisonous pools which can the team of Bathara Indra die and faint after drinking this water. Then Bathara Indra stick the weapon of Umbul-umbul and finally the water is emerging so that called by Tirta Empul and then it is passed to the dead and faint soldier that made them back to live. Therefore at the moment this pool water is sanctified by the Hindu society in Bali and they believe that this water source can heal various of diseases, hence every day this place is a lot of visited by Hindu people to do the ritual and sanctify them self . This place has been opened for public and as a famous tourist destination in Bali.

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple is located in coastal side of Beraban countryside Tabanan Regency. It is situated in 30 Km in west side of Denpasar town and about 11 Km in south side of Tabanan town. Tanah Lot Temple is built on the rock with 3 acre size and reachable in a few minute by walk, because it is just 20 meters from the coastal lip. Tanah Lot Temple is very famous among tourist destinations in Bali with spectacular view of sunset. At some nooks of coral reef around Tanah Lot Temple there are holy tame snake in black and white color where according to the local society believe that it as a deity property and as the guard of the temple from the bad influence. The word of Tanah Lot is consisted of two words that are Tanah word interpreted as a reef looking like gili or isle. Lot or Lod word has meaning the sea.

So Tanah Lot is meaning the small island floating on the sea. The location is now called as Tanah Lot has been used at a Megalithic period as a place that looked into holy, proven from the existence of menhir. Pursuant to environmental condition, hence the structure of Tanah Lot Temple is built at irregular reef plain of its angle which is only consisted of one plain yard as Jeroan. The function of this temple can be realized from the function of the main temple building which is located in the temple main area. In this place, there is a main temple to worship the god in form of Dewa Baruna or Bhatara Segara, the sea power. The media of worship to this god is the temple building with 5 storied meanwhile the 3 storied temple building in north part of this area is purposing to worship to Dang Hyang Nirartha.

Taman Ayun Temple

Taman Ayun Temple was built by I Gusti Agung Anom, the founder of the Mengwi Kingdom, a powerful kingdom in the district of Mengwi, in central Bali, until 1891. I Gusti Agung Anom was also the builder of Ulun Danu Temple. He established Taman Ayun Temple in 1634, when he moved his palace from Balahayu to Mengwi. Taman Ayun Temple means  “Temple of the Beautiful Gardens.” The date of construction is carved on the door with chronogram reading “Sad Bhuta Yaksa Dewa”, meaning 1634AD. The temple is a penyawangan, or place to worship other sacred sites, with shrines to worship Bali’s mountain peaks of Agung, Batukau and Batur, as well as shrine to Pura Sada, another important temple in Mengwi.

Unlike the majority of temples in Bali, the orientation of Taman Ayun is towards Gunung Batukau, and not Gunung Agung. Taman Ayun Temple covers an area of 250m by 100m. Originally dating from 1634, it was restored and enlarged in 1937. The gates, split gates and walls were renovated in 1949, and a pavillion, called bale bengong was added. In 1972, the black fiber roofs were replaced, and in 1976, a pavillion tower, called bale kulkul was added. Taman Ayun Temple consists of a forecourt, a central court and a spacious inner court. The temple is surrounded by a moat with lotuses, giving it the feel of a garden sanctuary. Beyond the moat, the temple lies on a slightly raised ground. 

A tall stone gateway separates the forecourt from the central court, while the inner court is surrounded by a stone wall. Frangipanni are grown in profusion all around the wall. Within the inner court are merus, dedicated to various deities and spirits. In total, there are 50 shrines and pavillions in the temple complex. On its festival day, Balinese women would will the temple bearing colourful offerings which they place before the merus.

Sakenan Temple

Sakenan Temple is a Hindu Temple located in the northwest of Serangan Village, Sub district of Denpasar and Badung regency. It is about 10 KM south part of Denpasar Town. We see a coastal view with beautiful sea, hill consecution and Nusa Dua Beach which are located in south side. The structure of Sakenan Temple is divided into 2 groups those are Sakenan Temple is a temple complex which is located in eastside and Dalem Sakenan Temple is a temple complex located in west side.

According to the papyrus of Dwijendra Tattwa, the name of Sakenan is coming from the word of Sakya means to earn direct unite the mind. This papyrus elaborates that Danghyang Nirartha got stuck and feeling natural beauty of calm sea with the nature of its coast. Therefore he lodge there and do the yoga to worship to the God as supremacy of the safety and prosperity. At the time of doing yoga, he directly earn unite his mind Sakya. Therefore he builds the altar called Sakenan Temple. At the moment Sakenan Temple which is built by the Danghyang Nirartha and recognized by the name of Dalem Sakenan Temple, a complex of Sakenan Temple in west shares.