Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is located on western side of Beratan Lake in Bedugul, Bali. Ulun Danu Beratan means “source temple of Lake Beratan”. Ulun Danu Temple is not only beautiful, it also has significant meaning. Over the years, Pura Ulun Danu becomes a favorite spot for tourists, both local and foreign.
History of Pura Ulun Danu
Pura Ulun Danu was built in 17th century. It was built to worship the Goddess Danu and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the main Hindu trinity. Goddess Danu is the lake goddess that is also known as queen of water, lakes and rivers.
Ulun Danu Temple has four sacred buildings. Those buildings are Linga Pura, Pura Puncak Mangu, Pura Teratai Bang and Pura Dalem Purwa.
Linga Pura is three-level high. It is meant to be a place to worship Shiva, while Pura Puncak Mangu is eleven-level high and dedicated to Vishnu. The main temple in Pura Ulun Danu is Pura Teratai Bang. Last but not least, Pura Dalem Purwa is built in adoration of Sang Hyang Widhi. People can pray for well-being, prosperity and fertility at Pura Dalem Purwa.
Pura Ulun Danu and the area around it have been a center for religious rituals for years. It is believed this temple has been a site of worship since megalithic period. The earliest record of Pura Ulun Danu existence is in 1556. The temple was rebuilt by King of Mengwi who is called I Gusti Agung Putu in 1633. At the time, Buddhist as well as Hindu architectural styles were mixed to rebuild the temple.
Even though the temple is hundreds of years old, it is kept clean by the local community. Pura Ulun Danu is one of the most famous landmarks in Bali. In fact, Pura Ulun Danu can be found on 50.000 rupiah note that was issued in 2005.
Where is Pura Ulun Danu?
Pura Ulun Danu is located at Lake Beratan, approximately 1.500 meters above sea level. This is why the air is cool. Lake Belatan is clear and almost always still. It is the second largest lake in Bali. It is also used as a source of irrigation for plantations across Bedugul. The name of Lake Beratan is taken from the word Brata. It means to behave one’s self to fulfill nine primary needs.
How to Go to Pura Ulun Danu
Pura Ulun Danu is fifty five kilometers away from Denpasar or seventy kilometers away from Kuta. You can reach Bedugul from Kuta by a car in two hours. Pura Ulun Danu opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm. But if the area around the temple gets foggy, then the temple will be closed earlier. The reason is to ensure the safety of the visitors.
You need to buy a ticket to get into Pura Ulun Danu. For local tourists, the ticket price is Rp 10.000 per person and Rp 7.500 per child. For foreign tourists, they will have to pay Rp 30.000 per person and Rp 15.000 per child.
There are many hotels and inns around Pura Ulun Danu, like CLV Hotel & Villa, ZEN Rooms Cemara Bedugul and Villa Puri Candikuning. The average price per night of those hotels varies, from hundreds of thousands rupiah up to millions rupiah.
If you plan to go to Bali, going to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a must.
