South East Asian Trips

One of the renowned temples in Indonesia is the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali. The temple is considered among the six most important temples in Bali. The temple is situated on the south westernmost area of the picturesque island of Bali. The Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali is visited by tourists from various corners of the world every year.

It is believed that the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali guards the people of Bali from evil spirits. People from all over Bali assemble at this grand temple during the Galungan festival. This vibrant festival celebrates the victory of good over evil.

The Pura Luhur Uluwatu was established in the 11th century by a Javanese Hindu priest and sage named Empu Kuturan. The Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple in Bali is devoted to the supreme god, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, in his appearance as Rudra, the dissolver of life.

The legendary Nirartha is also associated with the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali. Around the time when the Majapahit dynasty in East Java collapsed, Nirartha was the main architect of a 16th century Hindu Renaissance in Bali. He founded a number of temples in and promoted the construction of padmasana shrines at existing sanctuaries. The padmasana at the Pura Luhur Uluwatu in Bali was built at that time.

The Pura Uluwatu Temple is made of dark grey coral stone. The kori agung gateway in the temple leads into the inner sanctum. Over the gateway there is an image of an urn. The three candi bentar gateways at the temple have their upper portions sculpted in the shape of wings. The oldest of the three gateways leads into the central courtyard. An image of Mount Meru is placed on top of some of these gateways. The principal motif that adorns the three candi bentar gateways and the kori agung gateway is the head of bhoma.

Only those who come to pray can enter the inner sanctum of the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali. A three-tier meru, which stands at the far end of the inner sanctum, is the most important structure in this enclosed space.