Bali Heaven Official Blog

Also known as the Pura Luhur Batukaru, the Watukaru or Batukaru temple is one of the holiest and biggest Hindu temples in the island of Bali enjoying the same status as Padmabhuwana temple and Catur Lokapala temple. It is a very famous tourist destination in a trip to West Bali.

Location of the temple

The Batukaru temple is located in the Penebel district’s countryside region of Wangaya Gede. This is in Tabanan regency. The temple is one and half hours drive away from the International airport outside Denpasar. The magnificent temple is located at the foot of the Batukaru Mountain, Bali’s second highest mountain. The temple is set in a plateau area surrounded by lush green tropical rain forests. The temple is 23 km to the north of Tabanan. Those who are visiting the temple usually have to stop at another temple called Pura Jero Taksu, although they don’t have to do so the second time around. This is, in a way, registering for praying at the main temple.

History of the temple

As per the scriptures, the temple is said to have been founded by a venerated Hindu sage from Java by the name of Empu Kuturan in the 11th century, as a sanctuary for hermits to venerate the deities of the lakes and the mountains nearby. The sage is also credited to have established the 6 main temples of Bali also referred to as Sad Kahyangan. Legend has it that when the temple was partially destroyed by the king of Buleleng by name Anglurah Panji Sakti, millions of bees were unleashed by the protective forces of the temple which caused the troops to be beaten back. Although visitors and devotees continued to worship the rubble, the temple was rebuilt only in 1959. It took until 1977 for the renovations to reach the present architectural condition.

Temple Architecture

Similar to many other temples in Bali, there are 3 main areas including the outside area referred to as Nista Mandala, the middle area referred to as Madya Mandala and the Main are referred to as Utama Mandala. On the right of the entrance gate is the Wantilan Building which is used as a Meeting Hall. The main shrine is dedicated to Ratu Hyang Tumuwuh, who is the god of fertility for the Balinese people.

The Batukaru or Watukaru temple at 1300 meters above sea level is set amidst a beautiful garden of hibiscus and firangipani, surrounded by a gigantic tropical forest. There are some distinct shrines inside the complex representing different Tabanan dynasties. Also known as Pura Taman, the temple has a bathing place maintained by the king. The most amazing of shrines here is the 7 tiered Meru, which is dedicated to the lord who presides over the mountain, none other than Mahadeva.

There is an artificial pool of square shape with a miniature island in the middle with two shrines. One shrine is dedicated to the deities of the lake while the other is dedicated to Mount Batukaru. There is also a small spring nearby emanating from the riverbank.

The Uluwatu temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu) is one of the Sad Kayangan or the 6 directional temples (along with Pura Besakih, of course!) that supposedly protect the Bali Island from evil spirits. Luhur means something of divine origin. Ulu means land’s end while watu means rock. It is one of the most spectacular temples of Bali.

Location of the temple

The Uluwatu temple lies in the Badung regency in the southern tip of Bali. It is located on the edge of a plateau which is 250 feet above sea level. The exact location is 25km to the south of the capital city, the Denpasar town, in the Pecatu village in the sub district of South Kuta. It is perched on quite a steep cliff formed at the end of land on the South eastern coast of Bali island and hence gets its name. The location is very close to the famous SW surf break in peninsula of Bukit.

History of the temple

Pura Luhur Uluwatu was founded by a priest from Java by the name of Empu Kuturan in the 11th century. He also established the tiered Meru. Empu is a title for someone who has accomplished himself in philosophy, literature and craftsmanship. Hundreds of years later in the 15th century, the great priest and pilgrim, Dang Hyang Dwijendra, credited to establishing the Hindu Dharma religion chose this place as his earthly abode and was cremated here. Legend has it that he attained moksha while meditating at the Uluwatu temple. Dwijendra, according to legend was a famous architect who was credited to building beautiful temples at Lombok, Sumbawa and Bali. He was supposed to have arrived on the island at Pura Peti Tenget, north of Kuta. The temple has a shrine too representing a boat he used to arrive at the island. There is a small limestone statue behind the main pagoda of the temple’s inner sanctum of the temple showing a Brahmin priest surveying Indian Ocean. This statue supposedly belongs to Dwijendra.

Temple architecture

The Uluwatu temple is situated on a coral reef 80 meters above the sea level. The temple is an architectural wonder made of black coral rock from where it gets its name. The inner sanctum in fact is perched beautifully at the cliff edge with several vantage points on northern and southern sides providing spectacular glimpses of the ocean.

Major Attractions

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is located at one of the most famous surf breaks of Bali. It attracts legendary surfers from all over the world with its obstacles. There are some spectacular views offered even by the warungs or local restaurants perched on the cliffs. One can view the sunset from here and the 100 meter high cliffs in 3 directions offering great panoramic views. There are full moon rage parties and festivals which are efficiently organized every seven months, as per Anggar Kasih Medangsya by Wuku calendar. The responsibility is taken by the royal house of Puri Agung Jero Kuta.

Another major attraction would be the monkeys here. Tourists are often advised to take off their hats, sun shades, watches, bracelets and jewelry and hold on to their bags carefully. The crazy monkeys actually trade the goods they steal with bananas which would come as quite a surprise. One can also enjoy the Kecak or monkey dance held every evening for an hour in the Uluwatu temple. One can also enjoy the numerous rock and cave formations beneath.

Pura Besakih

One of the most famous temples of the island, Pura Besakih or the Mother Temple of Besakih is also the holiest and largest temple of Bali’s Agama Hindu Dharma. It is sacred for the Balinese and also a great area with scenic views all around including the ocean and the volcano. The temple is made of lava stone of dark color. The real glory of the temple can be witnessed during its annual birthday festival called the Odalan festival when thousands of Hindus from all over Bali and other places flock to this destination.

Mythology and History of the temple

Pura Besakih is considered to have originally been founded as a Buddhist shrine in the 8th century AD. The local ruler Kesari Warmadewa is credited to have built the main parts of the temple two centuries later. Interestingly, during festivals, certain parts of the temple are closed for non Hindus. A priest and worshipper of Shiva called Sri Markandeya was said to have founded a temple at the spot. The name of the temple finds references to Hindu Mythology where the snake Vasuki rolls around the Mandhara Mountain during Sagarmanthana or churning the Ocean of Milk. The temple is also supposed to be built to maintain the cosmos balance by the king who has also ordered the Selonding Temple construction within the complex along with the Blanjong Monument construction in Sanur village.

A massive volcanic eruption of Mt. Agung had taken place in 1963 had killed couple of thousand people but amazingly, the lava flow had missed the temple complex which was just a few meters away.

Location of the temple

Besakih temple is located amidst a beautiful tropical landscape setting at the foot of the Mt. Agung (Gunung Agung), the volcano which erupted as recently as 1973 and forming a majestic backdrop to the temple. The temple complex has an aura being located on the slopes of an active volcano in Eastern Bali. It is 2 hours away from the Bali International Airport located in the Besakih village in Rendang, Karangasem Regency. You can visit the temple from Ubud, a 2 hour journey to the north east. This trip could also include Kintamani where you can view the volcano and Batur lake.

Temple Design and Architecture

The entire complex has 22 temples sitting on parallel ridges. The flights of stairs and the stepped terraces are part of an ascent to many gateways made of bricks and many courtyards too. These finally lead to the main spire or Meru structure called the Pura Penataran Agung. Interestingly, the entire complex is built around a central single axis leading the upward spiritual evolution towards the sacred. There are 5 temples opened up by the candi bentar or a split gate. Each of temples is separated by lava walls. Each of the temple precincts has merus which vary in number of tiers, the tallest having 7. The vast courtyard has shrines of Trishakti, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Apart from the annual birthday festival, the Eka Dasa Rudra is another important festival that is celebrated once in every 100 years.