ULUN DANU BERATAN TEMPLE

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is an amazing place of interest in Bali, a famous picturesque landmark and a significant temple complex located on the western side of the Beratan Lake in Bedugul, central Bali. The temple, literally the source temple of Lake Beratan, is easily the island's most iconic sanctuary sharing the scenic qualities with the seaside temples of Uluwatu and Tanah Lot. The smooth reflective surface of the lake surrounding most of the temple base creates a unique floating impression, while the mountain range of the Bedugul region encircling the lake provides the temple with a scenic backdrop.

How to Get to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is located at Jalan Denpasar-Singaraja, the village of Candikuning which is part of the highlands of Bedugul, Baturiti district, Tabanan regency, Bali. The distance is about 54 km north of Denpasar or 1 hour and 45 minutes, 45 km northwest of Ubud or 1 hour and 30 minutes, 59 km north of Kuta beach or 2 hours, and 60 km north of Ngurah Rai airport or 2 hour 15 minutes. The Bedugul area is a favorite weekend and holiday retreat for many locals from all over Bali and the fresh climate and mountainous scenery is a much enjoyed change from hotter coastal areas.

Best Time to Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

The best time to visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is between 09.00 AM to 02.00 PM to avoid fog during the afternoon. When the fog is getting down, it will cover the scenic beauty of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and Lake Beratan Bedugul. However if you want to get a great photo the best time to visit the temple is for sunrise during the wet season, which lasts from October through to April. Ulun Danu Temple is perfect for a day’s visit as there are other attractions that you could tour once you have completed a tour of the temple.

What to Expect at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Entering the temple gates, instantly noticeable are the typical Balinese architectural features and the tiered shrines. Inside the complex, the three main shrines are dedicated to the worship of god Vishnu which boasts 11 tiers, god Brahma with seven 7 tiers and Shiva with three tiers. There are manicured gardens of the complex, to your right you'll see a magnificent banyan tree, and to your left, seemingly out-of-place in this predominantly Hindu complex, a Buddhist stupa.

Robed Buddha statues encircle the shrine, and these are often used as a backdrop for wedding photos. Look behind, and up on the hill a large mosque looms, reminding us of this multicultural nation's ability to (mostly) live peacefully with religious diversity. The inner sanctums of the four Hindu temples that form the major part of the complex are not accessible to non-worshippers, however the merus (tiered shrines) and ceremonies can be viewed from the temple gates.

The most photographed part of the temple, the 11-tiered and three-tiered meru atop a small island reflected in the lake, can be seen as you pass the candi bentar (split gate) to the lake's edge. Amid the beautiful flowers and tropical foliage, the surrounding gardens are punctuated with kitsch animal and plant cement statues including lions, owls, corncobs and fish, and a rather too-small fenced compound contains a couple of barking deer. Along with garish paddle ducks and speedboats whizzing past, the otherwise beautiful and peaceful spot has a bit of a local funfair atmosphere, seemingly at odds with its spiritual significance.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple History

​Ulun Danu Beratan Temple was built in the 17th century and is dedicated to the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as well as the goddess of the lake, Dewi Danu. The name of the temple means the power or source temple of Lake Beratan. The design is a mix of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. The history of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is drawn from information obtained on archeological artefacts identified in the chronicles of Mengwi. This information indicates that the temple has been around from 500 BC, a fact that visitors can ascertain on arrival at the temple as historical artefacts are proudly displayed in the first courtyard.​

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple constitutes four distinct temples which include Dalem Purwa Temple, Terate Bang Temple, Lingga Petak Temple as well as Penataran Pucak Mangu Temple. The three main temples in the complex are tiered shrines. The shrines are each of different heights. The tallest, 11 tiers, is dedicated to Vishnu, the second tallest, seven tiers, to Brahma and the shortest, three tiers, is dedicated to Shiva. All these temples were constructed to honour the gods as well as to invoke fertility and prosperity in the region.

Buddhist Stupa at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

What is unique you can see when visiting the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is the presence of a Buddhist Stupa located in the Ulun Danu Beratan temple area. Which has the meaning of religious harmony and harmony in ancient times. and this stupha building faces south and is located outside the temple area, precisely in the garden area in Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. It is not known exactly when the Buddha stupa was built, it is possible to say that the construction coincided with the construction of the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, which can be concluded if long ago there was religious tolerance between Hindus and Buddhists which is evidence of harmony and harmony within the community.

Based on the archaeological data found and located on the front page of the Ulun Danu Bedugul Temple, there are historical relics such as a stone sarcophagus and stone boards which are estimated to have existed since the megalithic era, around 500 BC. And if based on the data, then the age of the Ulun Danu Beratan temple is very old, and is one of the oldest rows of temples on the island of Bali.

Things To Do at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

As for the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple as an icon of this Bedugul village, which is never deserted by the visits of foreign and domestic tourists, it turns out that there are several things you can do here besides visiting the beauty of this Ulun Danu Beratan temple. This will complete your adventure to see the oldest temple on the island of Bali with all its uniqueness that always amazes us. If you visit the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple you can do the following things to fill the time while visiting the Icon of this Bedugul village.

1. Jukung Tour: Jukung is a traditional boat, on Lake Beratan there is a service for renting a jukung that you can use to get around this beautiful Beratan Lake from the middle of the lake, an experience that you probably won't forget, where to go around the lake by using Jukung, an unforgettable sensation to go around Beratan Lake which is so beautiful.

2. Take Photo with Animals: ​There are also professional photo services that offer their services to take photos with some very exotic animals such as albino pythons, chameleons, eagles, green hornbills, owls, bats, parrots and other animals that are not inferior. An unforgettable experience where taking pictures with exotic animals in the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple area.​

3. Children's Playground: Here there is a playground for children placed in the park, very suitable for those of you who travel with family and enjoy time by letting your children play in this playground, there are small swings, slides and others that will make your child feel at home playing on the playground in the Ulun Danu temple garden at this temple.

4. Shopping: Here there are small art shops lined up along the parking area, mostly selling various handicrafts and clothes that you can buy as souvenirs for your family and friends, various casual clothes, beach clothes and others can be purchased here with the price is cheap and of course the price can be negotiated, if you are smart to bargain you can get goods at low prices.

An activity that will make your visit to the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple very complete and full of memories, so it's not wrong for you to choose this Ulun Danu Beratan temple as one of the tourist destinations that must be visited on your tour list. With beautiful views, very cool air, seeing historical buildings will complete your adventure on this beloved island of Bali.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Entrance Ticket

Adult : IDR 75,000
Children : IDR 50,000
Opening Hours : 08.00 AM - 06.00 PM