Ulun Danu Beratan Temple @ Bali

Continue our temple visit~~~

From Pura Taman Ayun at Mengwi, Badung, we took half an hour drive to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple at Bedugul which is another tourist attractions that commands attention all the time! 

Located on the western side of the Beratan Lake in Bedugul, central Bali, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is a famous picturesque landmark and significant temple complex. The temple ground is surrounded by lake with mountain range of the Bedugul region encircling the lake provides the temple with a scenic backdrop.

 

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is featured on the 50k Rupiah bank note. 

 

Entrance fee: IDR 50k / adult, kid FOC.

 

Situated in highlands of the mountainous of Bedugul, about 1200 metres above sea level and on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul, this place is rewarded with comfortable cooling weather and crisp air (approximately 20-25°C). We were there on Sunday, this place was jam-packed with both holidaymakers and locals. It’s definitely a difficult task to get beautiful photos without photobombs at background. ╮(╯_╰)╭

 

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple was built in 1633 for offerings ceremony to the Goddess Danu – the queen of water, lakes and rivers. The temple complex consists of four sacred buildings. Linga Pura stands three levels high, and is a place of worship to the god Shiva. Buddha’s statue is also enshrined in this temple.

This temple is also called as Bali temple on the lake because it looks like floating when the Bratan river water rises. However the floating effect is only featured when the lake’s water levels rise. The best time to visit Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is between 9am to 2pm to avoiding fog during the afternoon.

Those who want more than scenery may hire traditional jukung outriggers to tour the lake as well as motorized boats for a quicker ride. The other side of the Beratan Lake also offers various water sports such as parasailing and jet-skis. There are fishing gear and swan paddle boats for rental too. We didn’t tour the entire place but from the websites that I browsed through, there are restaurants, a few small shops and a children playground.

The garden is filled with plenty of flowers to brighten up the temple grounds. Amid the beautiful flowers and tropical foliage, the surrounding gardens are adorned with animal and plant cement statues.

 

Verdict: I like the cooling temperature which is a nice break from the tropical sunshine of Bali. Since Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is a popular tourist spot, please be expected huge crowds and you may not get the perfect photo shots as per seen on most of the travel sites. A private driver would be my recommended way to get to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, regardless of where you are staying in Bali. It takes 90 minutes or more to reach Pura Ulun Danu Temple from Ubud and more than two hours to get here from Kuta, Seminyak or Legian.

 

Opening hours: from 8.00am to 5.00pm, daily

Entrance fee: IDR 50k / adult, kid FOC