Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, a beautiful temple in Bali

Image: melancongkebali.blogspot.com

If you go to Bali, you will feel the atmosphere of religious and sacred when you come to the temple, where Hindus in Bali to worship the Almighty God. There are a few temples that I recommend to you visit, from historical aspects, the sanctity and beauty. The beauty of the temples in Bali is not only due to its unique Balinese architecture, but also because the location was deliberately chosen by its founders. 

 There are six main temples (Sad Kahyangan) in Bali in addition to thousands of other temples that is easy to find in all the villages, in the fields, on the banks of the river, at the top of the hill and at the foot of the mountain, even a temple in every Balinese family home. I would definitely recommend you to visit Besakih, the largest temple in Bali, and Pura Tanah Lot is famous for standing on a rock and very beautiful at sunset, and many others like Pura Taman Ayun Temple, Pura Gowa Lawah or Jagadnatha in Denpasar. On this occasion I will tell you about the temple which is located on the shores of Lake Beratan, in the village of Candi Kuning, Bedugul, and Tabanan regency.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, or often shortened to Ulun Danu, is the largest temple in Bali after Pura Besakih. Name refers to the location of this temple that stands on the edge of Lake Beratan. Location of the temple is quite special because it is located in the highlands of Bedugul, which is about 1239 meters above sea level. Such conditions make the temple quite cool, with temperatures between 18-22 degrees Celsius. In addition, the beautiful landscape of Lake Beratan also adds a wonderful atmosphere in this place.

In Papyrus Chronicle Mengwi also told that the establishment of the temple is done sometime before the year 1556 Saka or 1634 AD, or about one year before the founding of Taman Ayun Temple, a temple Another established by I Gusti Agung Putu. Establishment Ulun Danu Beratan said to have been made famous Mengwi kingdom and its king, so I Gusti Agung Putu dubbed "I Gusti Agung Sakti" by his people.

Before entering the gate, try to look at while building stupas (Buddhist temple), which is still used as a place of worship. Not far from the temple area, there is also a mosque as a place of worship for Muslims. The existence of this mosque and stupa reminds us how religious tolerance has been practiced for a long time by the people of Bali.

Temple is located in the highlands makes this location sometime in the blanket fog set in green hilly forest landscape. Plus the surrounding atmosphere on the shore of the lake makes it very quiet temples and religious as in the pull back in the old days where civilization and unspoiled natural atmosphere.

Entering the gate of Pura Ulun Danu, we will see the Balinese temple building is characterized by multi-storey towers (Meru). Inside the temple complex there are at least a few buildings that have tower terraced roof, the roof towers with 11 levels, 7 levels and 3 levels. The existence storey tower depicts the cult of the three deities, namely Lord Vishnu (11 levels), Brahma (7 levels), and Shiva (3 levels).

J. Kate and Sal at Pura Ulun Danu. Image: sallyandjamie.blogspot.com

What is interesting, because it is located on the shores of the lake is a bit low, making the land around the temple often flooded when the lake was overflowing water discharge. This condition creates a very beautiful view, where the temple complex with its cluster-storey tower as if it were in the middle of the lake. The current state of overflow water is the best moment to capture Ulun Danu Beratan.

Not far from the temple there is a beautiful golf course, Eka Karya Botanical Garden is also rich in plant collection and conservation of rare plants. In Bedugul area, you can rent a speedboat to enjoy the beauty of Lake Beratan, lake fishing, and water sports or enjoy lunch with family and friends. The air in this area is very fresh with a beautiful natural scenery.