Ulun-Danu Temple

Ulun Danu Temple is located in central Bali, on the west side of Lake Bratan. It is the second most important temple on the island after Pura Besakih. The image of Ulun Danu can be seen on the 50,000 rupiah bill. Travelers who have been lucky enough to be near the temple are unanimous in their opinion that the views leave a strong impression. The water comes very close to the shrine, which makes it seem as if Pura Ulun-Danu is floating on the lake surface. The scenery is complemented by the mountains, acting as a picturesque backdrop for the temple and shaded by sunlight at sunrise and sunset.

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Video: Ulun Danu Bratan

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Highlights

Ulun-Danu Temple

The structures were erected by talented blacksmiths who had previously made ritual weapons. According to legend, when the lord of water Devi Danu saw the temple, she liked it very much, and the goddess wanted to hide it from prying eyes in the lake, so she partially flooded the shrine. During high tides, the water level rises and actually partially covers Ulun Dana, which creates a “temple on water” effect. It is also referred to as “floating.”

In 1917, there was a violent eruption of the Batur volcano. At that time, the lava came close to the temple complex, but stopped right at its foot. The temple survived and after a series of earthquakes of the XX century. To no longer hope for a miracle, the area around Ulun-Danu was fortified and landscaped.

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Architecture

Ulun-Danu temple fully complies with the canons of Hindu architecture. For Bali are characterized by sanctuaries with many tiers, each of which is dedicated to a particular deity and has a sacred meaning. The temple complex consists of 5 buildings with 3 to 11 tiers. The roofs are covered with black palm tar.

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Sanctuary of the god of creation Vishna
Three-tiered shrine of Shiva

There are 3 main shrines. They present themselves to visitors to Ulun-Danu immediately upon entering through the central gate. The pyramidal shaped buildings are dedicated to the triune deity, Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.

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Other temple buildings in Ulun-Danuretertehttps://trevaladvisor.com/img%img/Hram-Ulun-Danureterte/Drugie-khramovye-postroyki-2.jpg” alt=””/>‘ https://trevaladvisor.com/img%img/Hram-Ulun-Danureterte/Drugie-khramovye-postroyki-3.jpg” alt=””/>

Visitors

Ulun-Danu-Bratan Temple is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, no weekends. A ticket will cost 30,000 Indonesian rupiah for adults and 15,000 rupiah for children.

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Tourists are allowed to enter all the halls of the temple except the main one, where services are held. When visiting the shrine, it is important to be respectful and wear closed clothing covering your head, shoulders and legs. Take care of warm clothes, as Ulun Danu is located in the mountains, it can get chilly.

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We recommend that you set aside the second half of the day to visit this attraction to catch the sunset. The temple in the rays of the setting sun looks particularly impressive, in addition, the water rises, and the effect of the shrine growing out of the lake intensifies. At this time the most beautiful photos are taken. In the vicinity, travelers will find restaurants, cafes, as well as a hotel and guesthouse for an overnight stay.

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It is considered a special luck to get to Pura Ulun-Danu during the holidays, accompanied by lavish ceremonies, colorful rituals and luxurious offerings. There are two main events: Piodalan, the day of the temple, and Piodalan Agung, the day of Dewi Danu. These events have no fixed calendar date. Piodalan is celebrated every 210 days, while Piodalan Agung is celebrated every 420 days.

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After seeing Ulun Danu, don’t miss the opportunity to take a boat ride on Lake Bratan. On the other side of the reservoir you can spend your time actively – swimming, water skiing, parasailing, fishing. The water temperature in the lake is invigorating – approximately +22 °C. Also worth exploring are the neighboring lakes – Buyan and Tamblingan, and the picturesque surroundings, such as the Jatiluvi rice terraces, spreading near Mount Batukaru, and Munduk Waterfall, 1 km from the village of the same name.

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How to get there

The address of Ulun-Danu-Bratan Temple is Jalan Raya Candi Kuning, Desa Candikuning, Kecamatan Baturiti, Tabanan, Bali.

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The temple is located in the western part of Bali, in the village of Candi Kuning. There is a direct highway from the capital Denpasar, so you will not get lost if you go here by rented car or scooter. You will need to cover 52 kilometers of the road. The drive takes about an hour and a half. Head north to the Denpasar-Gilimanuk highway and turn to Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai. You can be guided by road signs pointing to Bedugul. Then drive through the town of Mengwi – and get on the highway Jl. Raya Denpasar. After 25 km the road will start to curve, which means that Lake Bratan is already close. The temple is located on the left and will be indicated by a signboard. The main gate is visible from afar.

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To get to Ulun Danu from Kuta, Legian and Seminyak you will need to drive in the same way, only choose the way not through the center of Denpasar, but through Jl. Raya Kerobokan.

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The shrine can also be reached by public transportation. Shuttle buses leave for Bedugul at 10:00 am. The ticket costs 75,000 rupees. The travel time is 2 hours. To take the bus, you must first get to the terminal in Kuta at Jalan Legian No.39, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung. From the center of Denpasar, it takes no more than 30 minutes to get there. A similar trip can be made from the resorts on the Bukit Peninsula – Jimbaran, Nusa Dua.

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Trips to Lake Bratan as part of tour groups are made from all parts of Bali.

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