The Hindu Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is one of the most important shrines in Bali. It is one of the six most sacred temples on the island and sits high above the sea on a cliff. Despite or perhaps because of its importance, the temple is one of the main attractions in Bali. Those who dare to take on the cheeky monkeys that cavort on the grounds will not be disappointed. Pura Luhur offers one of the most spectacular temple visits on the Island of the Gods.
Location – Where is Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple?
Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is located in the far west of the Bukit peninsula, directly by the sea. From Kuta, the temple is about 30 kilometres away, and from Jimbaran it is about 15 kilometres away. Despite the short distances, the journey from both of the aforementioned places can take up to an hour (from Jimbaran) or an hour and a half (from Kuta), depending on traffic conditions.
What makes Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple so worth seeing?
Pura Luhur is situated in a spectacular location on a rocky outcrop high up on a steep coast. The cliffs here drop down to about 70 metres and the sea lies at their feet. This extraordinary location alone makes a visit to the temple a real experience.
The temple grounds are somewhat secluded in the landscape. So not everything around it is built up, but rather kept natural. Apart from a small forest right next to the temple, the vegetation is manageable. The Bukit peninsula, where Pura Luhur is located, is climatically much drier than other parts of the island.
To get to the main part of the temple, there are some steps to climb. Once at the top, you just have to go through the Candi Bentar, the split gate.
Dance performances at sunset
Inside the temple, one of the most important dances in Bali takes place every evening – the Kecak. The dance performance lasts about an hour. During this time, the Kecak singers sing themselves into a trance-like state and form the basis for the impressive fire dance. The impressive sunset in the background creates a particularly magical atmosphere at this Kecak performance.
Caution: There are some monkeys living on the temple grounds that have developed the habit of pilfering objects from tourists. Anything that is not nailed down (e.g. sunglasses, cameras, wallets) should be safely stored in your backpack.
History of the temple
According to legend, the Pura Luhur Uluwatu was built in the 11th century by a Shiva priest named Empu Kumpan. It is also said that the Hindu teacher Dang Hyang Nirartha attained his ‘Moksa’ (salvation from the cycle of rebirths) in the temple in the 16th century. It is only since then that the temple has had the word Luhur (from ngeluhur – in English: to attain moksa) in its name.
Conclusion – Is a visit to Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple worthwhile?
The temple Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of the most important temples and one of the most important attractions in Bali. Accordingly, it is also very popular and at the same time a popular photo motif. Its special location on the top of a cliff makes the temple look very impressive. Especially at sunset, Pura Luhur exudes a very special atmosphere. In the evening, it is a wonderful place to attend a performance of the Kecak dance: from the grandstand, you have a direct view of the sun as it disappears into the sea.
