ULUWATU MAP

Uluwatu Facts

Uluwatu temple perches high on a needle of rock at the south-west extremity of Bali, jutting out into the vastness of the Indian Ocean with no other lands before it to check the swells that arise far off in Antarctic storms and roll thousands of miles to break in tropic seas at the base of the Uluwatu cliff. A Hindu saint recognised this spot 700 years ago as a particularly powerful site for a temple, and The sliver of rock that holds the temple seems so narrow, almost insignificant against the vastness of sea and sky. The entire cliff shudders with the impact of the waves, while monkeys shriek and scamper along walls that drop sheer to the surging foam hundreds of feet below. Across the surface of the sea, after every retreating wave, white foam curls like lace and one can see coral and sometimes sea turtles and dolphins swimming below.

Most Of Bali's regencies have Pura Luhur Uluwatu - literally high tamples or ascension temples - which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan Unniversaries, The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave tample, Goa lawah are also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on coast. however, but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is also one of Bali's important sad Kahyangan temples, in which dwell major deities-in Uluwatu's case ; Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures.

In the 15th Century the great pilgrim priest Dhang Hyang Dwijendra, who established the present form of Hindu Dharma religion, chose Pura Uluwatu as his last earthly become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan Unniversaries, The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave tample, Goa lawah are also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on coast. however, but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is also one of Bali's important sad Kahyangan temples, in which dwell major deities-in Uluwatu's case ; Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures.

In the 15th Century the great pilgrim priest Dhang Hyang Dwijendra, who established the present form of Hindu Dharma religion, chose Pura Uluwatu as his last earthly abode: history records that Dwijendra achieved moksa (oneness with the godhead, in a flash of blazing light) while meditating at Uluwatu. The temple is regarded, by Brahmans island wide, as his holy "tomb". Legend also tells us that Dwijendra wa the architect of the Beautiful temple on Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa.

Behind the main pagoda of Pura Uluwatu's small inner sanctum, a limestone statue of a Brahman priest surveys the Indian Ocean - It is said the statue represent the founding priest Dwijendra. Another shrine within the complex represents the founding.