The water temple Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is one of the temples in Bali that you should visit if possible. Its location in a picturesque setting on Lake Bratan makes it a wonderful excursion destination. It is not for nothing that the temple is one of the most popular places of interest in Bali. Holidaymakers who also want to learn about the religion and culture of Bali should not miss out on a visit to this mystical-looking temple.
Where is the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple located?
The Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is certainly one of the most impressive temples in Bali. It is not one of the most photographed temples on the island for no reason. This is hardly surprising, since the two Hindu temple buildings, the multi-storey merus, are located directly in the lake and are picturesquely reflected in the water against the mountain backdrop. The Ulun Danu Beratan temple is located directly on Lake Bratan. This is surrounded by forested mountains and lies at an altitude of around 1,200 meters.
Lake Bratan is a former volcanic crater that is now filled with water. The water of the lake is considered sacred, which is why numerous ceremonies are held at Lake Bratan. The Balinese pray that there will always be enough water for the farmers on the island. The lake is also one of the most important drinking water reservoirs in Bali.
Getting to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple
We particularly recommend visiting the temple of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan from Ubud. It takes about 1.5 hours to get there by scooter. The temple can be reached even faster from Lovina, taking about an hour.
Many tourists visit the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan anyway when they are on their way to the north of the island. Alternatively, a visit to the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan can also be arranged as part of a guided day trip. Those who arrive independently can easily park their scooter in the attached parking lot.
If you start your journey from Ubud, you can enjoy great scenery and views during the trip. You will also pass an impressive lookout point in the mountains, as well as numerous restaurants that offer breathtaking views over the mountain landscape. The unforgettable sights during the journey already speak in favor of visiting Pura Ulun Danu Beratan.
Water temple – The head of the lake
Translated from Balinese, Ulun Danu Beratan means “head of the lake”. This is fitting, as the temple complex is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the water goddess. The temple complex, located directly on the shore of the lake, includes a spacious garden with coniferous and deciduous trees, palm trees, flowerbeds, lawns and, of course, various temples and shrines. The famous Merus are located in front of the shore on small islands.
Surrounded by five courtyards, the Pura Penataran Agung Batur is the central temple of the complex. The eleven-storey Meru also belongs to it. The park also features a Buddhist stupa, which contains five meditating Buddhas. This shows that elements from the Buddhist faith can often be found in Hinduism. The Ulun Danu Beratan was built in 1663 by King Megwi on the small islands in the lake as a Hindu-Buddhist temple.
Inside the temple
After passing the entrance to the complex, you pass through a split gate, which also has a religious significance in Bali, because it symbolizes the split in the mountain of heaven, “Mahameru”, through which the largest mountains in Bali, Gunung Batukaru and Gunung Agung, are said to have been formed.
From the inner courtyard of the temple, there is a great view of the two water temples in Lake Bratan. The smaller of the multi-storey temple towers has three floors and is dedicated to Shiwa, the Hindu god of creation. The larger of the Meru encompasses a total of eleven floors and honors three deities, namely the rice goddess Dewi Sri, the sea, river and lake goddess Dewi Danu and the female form of Vishnu.
The Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is open every day between eight and six o’clock. The temple complex can be entered via a ticket office.
A temple with a high value
Many visitors to the temple will experience a slight sense of déjà vu the first time they see the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple. This is because the temple can also be seen on the Indonesian 50,000 IDR bill. This makes it clear that the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan has a very high value for the Balinese.
Generally speaking, the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is one of the most important Balinese temples, which makes it well worth a visit. The temple complex is extremely idyllic and beautiful. We recommend visiting in the early morning, right after the complex opens, as it is not too crowded at this time. Nevertheless, the temple is not as crowded at other times as the famous temples of Pura Luhur Uluwatu or Pura Tanah Lot.
After visiting the temple
On the temple grounds, there is also a large restaurant that offers a varied and extensive buffet. The fish dishes, prepared with freshly caught fish from Lake Bratan, are considered a regional specialty. Not too much time needs to be planned for a visit to the temple, which is why it is also a good idea to take a boat tour across the lake afterwards. A boat rental service is available for this, renting out pedal boats, rowing boats and speedboats.
Conclusion: Is a visit to Pura Ulan Danu Beratan worthwhile?
Travelers whose route passes Lake Bratan anyway should plan a visit to the Ulan Danu Temple. But the temple is also worth a visit for vacationers who want to see a temple in a natural and at the same time mystical setting. A visit to Pura Ulan Danu Beratan Temple can be wonderfully combined with other excursion destinations. For example, the botanical garden of Bedugul or the market in Candi Kuning invite you to explore. For those who prefer more active pursuits, the Bratan massif offers many opportunities for hiking with spectacular views.
