Ulun Danu Beratan Temple: Religious Site in the Bedugul Highlands

Surreal and majestic. At least, that's how we felt when we visited the Ulun Danu Beratan temple. Located in the mountainous Bedugul Regency, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is a picturesque temple complex on Lake Beratan's coast. It consists of five shrines and one Buddhist stupa. This is a site which is full of religious and historical value. Aside from that fact, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is also a well-known tourist destination. How not so, embellished with a landscape of hills and stunningly clear Beratan lake, the complex of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple serves us with the beauty of majesticity.

Are you sure you don't want to go there?

Located in Bedugul highlands, approximately 1200 metres above sea level. The atmosphere is unquestionably crisp and cool. When the temperature drops, you might see a misty foggy hanging in the air, covering the temple.

In Bali, there are nine “Kahyangan Jagat Temple” that surrounds the island, and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is one of them. In other words, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is one of the most sacred Temples for Balinese, particularly Hindus. The Pura Ulun Danu or also known as Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, was built in adoration of the Goddess Danu, the goddess of water, lakes, and rivers.

As we know, the magnificent Ulun Danu Temple lies on a plateau on Lake Beratan. It’s the second biggest lake in Bali and the source of irrigation for the whole rice field in Bedugul village. Lake Beratan was formerly the largest lake in Bali until a destructive earthquake split it into three sections: Beratan, Tamblingan, and Buyan.

The Spacious Green Garden

Before entering the main area of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, visitors are welcomed by greenery and a spacious garden. From here on, we can enjoy the scenery of Beratan lake. the buildings are also exotic, with compact Balinese ornaments and architecture. Furthermore, this garden is also kid-friendly, as seen by the presence of a playground here. You can also try the service of a Balinese artist who will sketch you through your photo!

For those of you who want to wander around Beratan lake, you can try to rent a traditional boat or a small speed boat here. Moreover, if you’re seeking a unique and fresh photograph angle, we recommend you to explore the area with these boats you can rent. A lot of photographer takes photo from the lake area for distinctive shots. Not only that, you can also go fishing here.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Complex

After the garden, you’ll find an entrance gate to enter the temple area. Not everyone can enter the holy temple area, there are several rules written on the board near this gate. Some of them mention that ladies on their period are expected to stay away, and you have to be dressed neatly and properly to enter the location. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is not a mere tourist attraction. It’s a sacred place where Hindus worship. So, it’s highly expected for every visitor to respect the rules and customs applied here.

Once you enter the temple area, you can find the five shrines we mentioned earlier. This also includes the well-known floating temple! Here’s the list of five shrines:

• Penataran Agung Temple

• Taman Beiji Temple

• Dalem Purwa Temple

• Prajapati Temple

• Lingga Petak Temple (the floating temple in the middle of Beratan Lake)

While you are here, you will see three kinds of tiered shrines. The one with eleven tiered shrines is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the seven-tiered is dedicated to lord Brahma, and the tiny one in the backside with three tiers is dedicated to Lord Shiva Linga Pura. For more information about the temple complex, you can directly visit the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple's Information on their official website here.

Please keep in mind that not everyone is permitted to enter the inner sanctums of the complex's four Hindu temples; only Hindus wearing prayer attire are permitted to enter the shrines. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy the merus (tiered shrines) and ceremonies which are visible from the temple gates.

Panoramic Spots to Take Photo

Aside from the things we mentioned above, in Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, you can have a good time by documenting your trip here. The scenery is also panoramic; you can take some self-portraits almost everywhere to be shown to your friends or colleagues. However there are several points that were specifically designed to be photo spots.

Despite the fact that smartphone cameras are so good nowadays, there's nothing wrong with using a local photographer service to snap photos of you and your family while you're here.

Coffee Break and Restaurant

After wandering around the area, fill your tummy with delicious food. There’s a spacious coffee area where you can chill around and enjoy the atmosphere of the mountainous Bedugul area, or you can also stop by a row of restaurants here to eat rujak, meatballs, and so on. The price varies starting from 10 thousand rupiahs only.

Way to Go to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

The temple is situated at the heart of Bali Island, but it’s still accessible for everyone. Here are the estimated distances and times you will go; It takes around 2 hours (58 Km) if you go from Kuta, 1 hour and 40 minutes (47 Km) from Ubud, and around 1 hour (30 Km) from Singaraja. Disclaimer, these estimation doesn't take into consideration of the heavy traffic that clogs the narrow, one-lane route on weekends and during peak hours. To avoid afternoon fog, the finest time to visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is between 9 AM to 2 PM.

Final thoughts

You can directly visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and see how dazzling the view is. From there, you can tell why it has become so prestigious, whether as a historical, religious, or tourist destination.

Last but not least. Always remain polite, respect local traditions, and keep the cleanliness of the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, have a wonderful holiday, peeps!