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Kuta, Bali, Indonesia: The temple of Pura Luhur Uluwatu above the cliffs. Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas on

Top 10 Fun Facts about Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is a Balinese Hindu sea temple (Pura Segara) located in Uluwatu South Kuta, Badung. The temple is regarded as one of the sad kahyangan and is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in his manifestation as Rudra. 

The temple is built at the edge of a 70-meter-high (230 ft) cliff or rock projecting into the sea.In folklore, this rock is said to be part of Dewi Danu’s petrified barque and the temple is one of the most visited site in the area. Let’s take a look at the top fun facts about it;

1.The temple has undergone several expansions over the years

The temple has undergone several expansions over the years. Though a small temple was claimed to have existed earlier, the structure was significantly expanded by a Javanese sage, Empu Kuturan in the 11th Century.

Another sage from East Java, Dang Hyang Nirartha is credited for constructing the padmasana shrines and it is said that he attained moksha here, an event called ngeluhur (“to go up”) locally. This has resulted in the temple’s epithet Luhur. 

2.The monkeys inhabiting the temple are very notorious 

Pura Luhur Uluwatu. Photo by Paskuu on

The temple is inhabited by monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), who are notorious for snatching visitors’ belongings, such as flip-flops, cameras, and sunglasses. They can usually be persuaded into ransoming the items for fruit, nuts, or candies, although this only encourages them to steal more.

The Macaque monkeys in the area teach each other this bartering behavior and is passed down to the young ones, generation after generation.New groups of Macaque monkeys introduced into the area quickly adapt and learn the new skill from the locals easily. 

3. There is a Kecac dance performance everyday at the temple

A Kecak dance performance based on the Ramayana is performed daily in Uluwatu temple at every 6pm on the cliff-side. The performance which is outdoors also shows the beautiful sunset at the background of the performance. The troupe of around 75 male dancers descend onto the stage with extended arms and shaking hands up in the air while chanting their fast-paced, 鈥榗hak!鈥� choruses repetitively.

The Kecak dance is a very good show with an incredible backdrop as the sunsets over the cliff. The best option would be getting the ticket once you reach the place. The epic Ramayana is played in this live entertainment. 

4.The Uluwatu Temple Bali entrance fee is affordable and easy to access

Pura Luhur Uluwatu. Photo by Paskuu on

The Uluwatu Temple Bali entrance fee is IDR 30,000 (INR 142) per person for adults and IDR 15,000 (INR 71) for children.The temple is easily accessible once one has paid and there are locals who can take you round on tour. 

One can enjoy the evening by buying Uluwatu Temple Kecak dance tickets that cost around IDR 100,000 (INR 475) and are available from 4:30 PM to 5 PM. The show starts at 6 PM and is very good and lively.

5.Uluwatu Temple has a unique architecture

Uluwatu Temple has a unique architecture with palm-frond black roof stacked into the black. The most impressive thing that anyone sees Uluwatu temple are also amazed prime location, precariously between heaven and earth.This is what makes it one of the best places to visit. 

It also gives it a majestic beauty, the virtual maze, bobbing between the floors clouds overhead and the waves lapping against the cliffs at the foot of white foam.As mentioned above the name Luhur means 鈥渟omething of divine origin鈥� and ulu the 鈥渓and鈥檚 end鈥� and watu the 鈥渞ock鈥� in the old language. The name itself had aptly described what this special temple is all about. 

6.Uluwatu Temple was instigated by Mpu Kunturan, a Majapahit monk

Pilgrims gathers to enter thru the gate of the Uluwatu temple. Photo by Juan Antonio Segal on

Uluwatu Temple was instigated by Mpu Kunturan, a Majapahit monk who also participated in establishing several other important temples in Bali such as Pura Sakenan in Denpasar, about 1,000 years ago. The remains found on the site proves that the temple is of made out of a group of stones that came into existence around the 10th century.

A holy priest from eastern Java, Dhang Hyang Dwijendra, then chose Uluwatu Temple to be his spiritual journey’s final worshiping place.Balinese Hindu devotees believe that he reached the highest spiritual point of oneness with deities by a strike of lightning and completely disappeared.

7.The temple has several statues and sculptures facing different directions

The temple has several statues and sculptures facing different directions. Behind the main shrine in one of the courtyards of Uluwatu Temple lies a Brahmin statue facing the Indian Ocean, considered as a representation of Dhang Hyang Dwijendra.

The two entrances to the temple area are split gates with leaves and flowers carvings.In front of each of them are a couple of sculptures shaped like a human body with an elephant head.A heritage of the 10th century is the one-piece winged stone gate to the inside courtyard of Pura Uluwatu. Winged gates are not commonly found on the island.

8.The Uluwatu Temple holds anniversary celebrations after every six months

Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. Photo by Jorge L谩scar on

Every six months according to the Balinese 210-day Pawukon cycle, big temple anniversary celebrations are held at the Uluwatu temple.The temple’s keeper, the royal family of Jro Kuta from Denpasar, are patrons for the event

Believers regard it as a manifestation of the divine power that protects Uluwatu Temple or Pura Luhur Uluwatu because there hasn’t been any significant erosion on the shoreline underneath the temple’s towering cliff over the years.

9.There are several hotels and restaurants near the temple

There are several hotels and restaurants near the temple. Hotels include;Kubu Nyang Nyang which is 0.21 miles away , Cempaka Cafe and Homestay (0.23 mi) Under the Volcano III (0.20 mi) Uluwatu Surf Villas (0.75 mi), De Sapphire Cliff Villa which is 1.11 miles away.

Restaurants near Uluwatu Temple include; Whole Bali, Ritual Bali which is 0.08 miles Babi Guling Ibu Intan(0.09 mi), Warung Bejana(0.22 mi) and Three Steps Coffee which is 0.23 miles away. 

10.To get to the temple is easy and affordable 

Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. Photo by Ketut Suryadinata Putra on

Uluwatu Temple is located in the southern tip of Bali, exactly in Pecatu Village, Kuta South District of Badung, Bali, Indonesia.It is at the southernmost of Bali at a place known to tourist as Bukit Peninsula. About 25km south of Kuta and it usually takes around one hour to get to and from there.

Uluwatu Temple is oper for visitor daily from 09.00 AM to 07.00 PM, and for worship purpose it is open for 24 hours daily.To visit temple , both men and women should wear a sarong, scarf or sash tied around the waist.The temple is also among the most visited places in Bali and Indonesia.