Uluwatu Temple in Bali

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

There are a lot of tourist places in the world. Each person can choose a destination to their liking. Someone prefers to visit European countries and spend holidays in big cities, while others go to sunny states. So Bali is one of the most visited islands in the world. On its territory there are interesting sights, such as the Uluwatu Temple. Read about it in the article.

Location

The island called Bali is part of the Malay Archipelago and is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. This piece of land is administratively part of Indonesia.

The island is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean from the south side, from the north by the sea of the same name belonging to the Pacific Ocean. On the western side, it is adjacent to the island of Java, the distance between them is filled with the waters of the Bali Strait. Bali is separated from the island of Lombok by the Lombok Strait from the east.

The southernmost part of the island is knownthanks to a place like Uluwatu. The most beautiful and most visited beaches with coarse yellow sand are concentrated here. Some of them are hidden from prying eyes behind rocks and cliffs. In addition, there are many grottoes and caves on the island. Steep paths, which, unfortunately, are in a broken condition, lead to other beaches. But these trails are used only by surfers who are fond of riding the waves at a professional level.

History

Uluwatu Temple is part of the larger Puru complex. It was erected by monks in the eleventh century AD with the help of a saint named Mpu Kuturan. The place chosen for the temple is a sheer cliff. It rises hundreds of meters above the ocean. Uluwatu Temple was built in honor of the sea god and the spirits of the sea, whose waves rage next to the cliff - right at its foot.

The world-famous pagoda appeared at the very edge of the cliff in the sixteenth century. Its construction was started in honor of Saint Nirartha, who achieved enlightenment at this very place. It happened, according to legend, in the 15th century. Until the beginning of the last century, only members of the ruling dynasty could pray in the temple, but later this restriction was lifted.

Modern Development

Uluwatu Temple is located in an area of the island that was previously hidden from prying eyes. The fact is that the land here is unsuitable for growing rice, because it is too dry. Therefore, for a long time, local residents barely made ends meet, and local attractions attracted almost no one. Temple was popularUluwatu.

Bali is a great place to surf. It is thanks to the athletes that the island has become known in other parts of the world. Today, wild places that used to be virginally inviolable are becoming less and less. Villas are being built almost everywhere, agriculture is expanding, and prices are rising. And Uluwatu owes it to surfers.

True, even now tourists cannot visit the island without restrictions. The temple, which is part of the Pura complex, is closed to the public during religious ceremonies.

Description

The Uluwatu Temple, the photo of which is presented in this article, is made of an unusual material - black coral stone. The main gate that leads to the temple is elaborately decorated. The carvings covering them are said to protect the building from evil spirits. Statues of the god Ganesha help to hide from the darkness. In general, the building is generously decorated with carvings.

If you look at the cliff with the pagoda from a nearby cliff, the temple seems very small, especially considering that it rises several tens of meters above the ground.

Uluwatu Complex

The Uluwatu complex includes not only the temple of the same name. The island of Bali is surrounded by a chain of various structures that protect it from the invasion of evil spirits. All this is extremely interesting for travelers who are thirsty for the exotic. It is noteworthy that tourists have the opportunity to see not only the Uluwatu temple. Bali (the photo of the island invariably makes you want to, at least for a momentto be in these parts) is rich in quiet and peaceful corners, to which many picturesque paths lead.

So, not far from the temple there is an observation deck, from where a simply breathtaking view of the water area and the rocks themselves opens. In addition, there are several clearings, thanks to which you can see the structure from different sides. After all, there is a small amphitheater in the southwestern part of the island, where costumed performances of local residents take place daily.

Visit

The Temple of Pura Uluwatu, which is part of a large complex, is built according to the same scheme as many other similar structures. In architectural terms, this object almost does not attract tourists. However, its location has made it one of the most visited places in the world.

The fact is that the temple is located on a cliff, towering over a hundred meters above the raging water. That is why people who come to Bali definitely visit Uluwatu. From this cliff you can see everything: the waves beating against the rocks (this struggle is especially zealous at high tide), and the endless expanse of water, and a sample of ancient architecture.

Wave-formed textures, a mixture of colorful shades of blue, colorful sunsets and sunrises - all this attracts not only travelers tired of the bustle of the city, but also people of art. So, hundreds of artists, writers, poets, musicians come here. Seascapes are especially beautiful, because you can see this place and the ocean around it from differentangles. For this, specially laid paths are provided.

Tours

Many people come from all over the world to Bali to visit Uluwatu's cliff and temple. How to get to the island? This question torments many tourists. This can be done in several ways. For example, fly here by plane or take a ferry on one of the neighboring islands and get to Bali by sea. As for movement within the island, there is an established system of road transport. Buses are very popular.

As for the entertainment program, any tourist can see the performance of local residents. The performance-dance Kecak, or "kecak", is performed in Bali every day. Start time is approximately 6pm. The price is from seven to eight dollars.

The history of this dance began a long time ago. At the same time, initially it was just a trance ritual, in which only men were allowed to participate. However, in the 1930s, the artist W alter Spies lived on the island. After studying the history of the dance, he slightly changed it, turning the ritual into a performance with a real storyline from the Indian Ramayana. Of course, the current kechak almost does not resemble the ancient ritual, but it is still very colorful and dynamic. Therefore, tourists should definitely visit this performance.

Monkey Gang

Speaking of what a person visiting the temple can do, one cannot but warn him that a gang of deceivers and thieves … monkeys are operating in Bali! They live in one bigcolony, so each of them has a job. This is how they run the "monkey" business.

These inhabitants of the island are so nimble that they easily steal valuables from tourists and in general everything that they can reach. Their prey can be both glasses and hairpins, as well as expensive equipment, such as a camera or telephone. So, monkeys rob tourists who stare at the beauty of the island, and then exchange their prey for real money!

Of course, not all visitors know about this, so they have to urgently look for someone from the locals. Then the inhabitant of the island comes into contact with the monkeys and exchanges the stolen things for dollars. For one or two dollars, you can get your property back. True, if you do not pull out valuables unnecessarily, then you can avoid communicating with the monkey gang.

Tourists visit Uluwatu temple very often. Bali (reviews about spending time on the island are exceptionally good) is a great place to relax your soul. However, it must be remembered that a gang of "robbers" is walking around the island, who strive to steal something from a gaping traveler.

By the way, many tourists are eager to feed the animals. On the island you can buy special food that is sold only for monkeys. But one has only to show that a person wants to treat them with something, as they will literally eat everything, and even what the tourist has not yet bought. In addition, getting too close to them can be dangerous, so it's better to watch these inhabitants of the island.from afar.