I have been to Bali twice now… but it was my first time here at the Uluwatu Temple.. This temple holds some significant meaning to my husband as his ancestor/ great-great grandfather came from this part of Bali….which means, my youngest daughter’s ancestor came from here… hehehe…

I was pretty frustrated the first time I went to Bali and missed out the chance to go to the Uluwatu, all because the tour group before my tour group was attacked by some monkeys and for safety reason, they cancelled our visit there…

Anyway, Pura Luhur Uluwatu or Uluwatu Temple is a famous Balinese sea temple in Bali. It is said to be one of the nine directional temples of Bali meant to protect the island of Bali from evil spirits.

And yes, the first sight of this temple takes your breath away as it is perched at the edge of the steep cliff 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean… overlooking the sea as if on guard.

The name Luhur means “something of divine origin” and ulu the “land’s end” and watu the “rock” in the old Balinese language. The name itself had aptly describe what this special temple is all about. Pura Luhur Uluwatu is regarded as one of the six most important temples in Bali along with Pura Besakih.

Uluwatu lies at the southernmost of Bali in Badung regency. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views.

Empu Kuturan, a Javanese Hindu priest is said to be the one who built the tiered meru, founded the temple in the 10th century and a shrine here as well as at other key locations longs the Balinese coast.

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 Brahman’s island wide, as his holy ‘tomb’.

Legend also tells us that Dwijendra was the architect of the beautiful temple, as well as many other major temples on Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa.

In the 17th century Niratha also from Java came to Bali and built temples, adding to Uluwatu.

The entrance fee to enter Uluwatu Temple is 30,000 Rp (if I am not mistaken). All visitors will be required to wear a sash but if you are inappropriately dressed, you will also be required to wear a sarong…

And as anywhere sacred or holy you visit, even if you do not believe in the religion, give your respects and behave respectfully in the area…

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Do be very careful about the monkeys as they are quite aggressive and prone to your belongings such as your camera, phone, sunglasses, caps, slippers but if they do, quickly get some help from the ‘ranger’ who will throw them some food and you might just get your property back… but this is only 50-60 percent of the time.. I have heard stories of the monkey making off with iPhones deep into the forest so the phone is not seen off again… hahah..

When we were there, my friend/ traveling partner kak Fariza has her slipper snatched by the monkey, but she got it back with some souvenir… teeth marks on the slipper.. hahahah and yes, while on the trail, I spotted these a couple of these snatch thieves with their ill gotten gains… one was trying on a cap and another was biting and fiddling with a pair of spectacles…

The route around the cliff area is circular so you can make rounds on both sides if and when you follow the trail..

It is said that the sight of the sun setting over the dramatic temple by the cliff is a sight to behold and well, there is also a Kecak Dance performance held everyday here at Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple and many travelers recommend it as one of the things you must do in Bali. However since my second trip to Bali was quite short, I did not quite get to do it… I hope to do it on my next trip though, where I will probably bring my youngest girl here to visit the island of her ancestors and pay her respects…

Address – Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali