The iconic image of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan draws visitors from far and wide. With its 11-story pagoda floating gracefully on the waters of Lake Beratan, this photogenic Hindu temple is the place to come for serene mornings and tranquil lake scenery. As irresistibly picturesque as it is, the temple also plays a practical (and spiritual) role in Bali’s unique irrigation system.
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Visiting Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
History and features of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bali
Construction on this water temple (pura tirta) may date back to 1633, but there’s archaeological evidence of worship here that goes back much further — thousands of years, in fact, to the Neolithic.
Tradition has it that I Gusti Agung Putu built the temple in the 17th century. The ruler was defeated in battle and retreated to gain more strength and enlightenment on what to do.
The royal found a spot on the shores of Lake Beratan in order to meditate. He found strength from the meditation and was able to gain victory over his enemy. In doing so, he decided to build a temple on the spot where he meditated on Lake Beratan and established the Mengwi Kingdom, thus entwining the history of the temple with the old tales of Bali.
The temple is dedicated to Danu, who is a Hindu goddess of water, beauty, and fertility. It’s a very important religious spot for Balinese people — bathing in the lake is forbidden. It also plays an integral role in the UNESCO-recognised subak irrigation system that Bali is so famous for.
While the lake naturally feeds much of central Bali with much-needed water for crop irrigation, it’s also a place of pilgrimage for locals. People come here to pray for the continued supply of fresh water for the farms of Bali.
Priests and farmers take water from the lake and use it to bless their fields by sprinkling it on the ground and pouring the rest of the water back into the irrigation system. It creates a cycle of purification that is a large part of the subak system.
Interested in visiting the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on a guided tour? I recommend the following:
– North Bali: Sunrise Tour with Dolphins, Waterfalls & Temples
– Bali: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Small Group Tour
What to see and do at Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Lake Beratan
The sacred lake itself is the second-largest lake in Bali and, as such, is very important for irrigation in the area. Spanning almost 400 hectares, it has a shoreline that is around 12 kilometers long.
The scenery of the lake surrounded by the mountains is particularly peaceful and feels cool and refreshing away from the heat of the towns. Here you’ll find the wide open skies reflected in the glassy surface of the lake.
Lingga Petak Temple
This is the main temple, and one of several temples located at the complex at Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. It’s dedicated to the god Shiva and is a sacred site connected to fertility and the source of the lake. Inside, the temple structure is said to be well that hosts the source of the water.
This is located on an island in the lake; it has four gateways that face the cardinal directions. Its meru (stepped thatched pagoda) features 11 stories. Unusually for a Hindu temple, a statue of the Buddha is also enshrined within Lingga Petak.
This floating pagoda is the main draw for visitors and pilgrims to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. It’s so famous that it appears on the 50,000 Indonesian rupiah note and is said to be one of the most photographed religious sites in the whole of Bali. It looks particularly beautiful, reflected in the surface of the lake on a clear day.
Penataran Agung
Upon entering the candi bentar (split gateway), this is the first temple you see in the complex. It is dedicated to Shiva and is where people worship not only for fertility but also for prosperity. It faces south.
Pelinggih Telengin Segara
This temple is used for purification rituals, using the holy water from Lake Beratan to do so. This is also where the local community comes to purify the water for use in the irrigation system.
Dalem Purwa
The Dalem Purwa is one of the main places of worship for the goddess Durga (the deity of motherhood as well as war and destruction). It’s located on the south side of the lake and faces eastwards. Worshippers here leave offerings for the goddess in front of the shrine.
Prajapati Temple
You’ll find Prajapati Temple under the boughs of a large banyan tree. Facing west, this is also dedicated to the goddess Durga, and is one of the first temples you’ll see when you first walk into the complex.
Practical information for visiting Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple in Bali
What to wear in Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple
As with visiting most of the religious sites in Bali, it is required for visitors they cover up their shoulders and lower body. If you don’t have appropriate clothing, you’ll be able to rent or borrow a sarong from the temple to wrap around your body.
Where is Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple (and how to get there)
Located almost in the center of Bali, Pura Ulun Beratan temple is more specifically situated in Candikuning, Baturiti. And, thankfully, if you’re not driving yourself or if you don’t want to get a taxi (or pay for a driver), public transport is an option to get to Lake Beratan.
Buses head here from Denpasar and from Lovina. If you’re traveling from Lovina, it takes around 45 minutes, while if you’re traveling from Ubud, it takes around one and a half hours.
However, if you do have a car or bike rental and you want to get to the temple yourself, then you can make use of the car park in front of the temple.
Interested in visiting the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on a guided tour? I recommend the following:
– North Bali: Sunrise Tour with Dolphins, Waterfalls & Temples
– Bali: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Small Group Tour
Opening times of the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple
Pura Ulun Beratan temple is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Note that it’s a popular place to go for sunrise, so sometimes you may be allowed in earlier.
Entrance Fees for the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple
The entrance fee for an adult is 75,000 RP (for children aged 5 to 11, 50,000 RP).