Ulun Danu, Lake Temple

Ulun Danu Temple is located at the edge of lake Bratan, Bedugul area, Candikuning village, Baturiti district,Tabanan regency Bali, The distance from Denpasar city about 56 kilometers to the north along the highwayDenpasar - Singaraja. Ulun Danu Beratan temple is one of the most famous Balinese Hindu temple, it is also commonly called as Bali temple on the lake or Bali temple on the water because it looks like floating on the water when the water level in the lake is rising.

History of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Bedugul

Short history of Ulun Danu Temple Beratan can be known based on archaeological data and historical data contained in a papyrus (Palm-leaf manuscript/Palmyra) chronicle of Mengwi .
According to archaeological data located on the left of the front yard of Ulun Danu Bedugul temple there is a stone sarcophagus and a stone board which comes from megalithic tradition period, around 500 BC. Both artifacts are now placed above each babaturan (terrace). It can be expected that the location of Ulun Danu lake Bratan temple has been used as a place for conducting rituals since the megalithic era in Bali island

Photo credit to Alastair Dixon via Flickr

According to chronicle Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Putu as the founder of Mengwi kingdom founded the temple on the edge of Beratan lake before he founded the Taman Ayun temple. Not described in the manuscript when he founded the Ulun Danu Beratan temple, but only explained about the establishment of Taman Ayun temple which the ceremony was held on the day Anggara Kliwon Medangsia, Çaka year 1556 (1634 AD). Based on the description in the manuscript of chronicle Mengwi known that Ulun Danu Bratan temple (in Balinese: Pura Ulun Danu Beratan) established before the saka year 1556, by I Gusti Agung Putu. Since the establishment of that temple, the kingdom of Mengwi became prosperious and I Gusti Agung Putu dubbed by the people "I Gusti Agung Sakti".

Ulun Danu temple complex consists of 4 temples, those temple are:
Lingga Petak temple, Penataran Pucak Mangu temple, Terate Bang temple, and Dalem Purwa temple serves to adore the majesty of God in its manifestation as the god of Tri Murti, in order to invoke the grace of fertility, prosperity, human well-being and for sustainability of the universe.

Ulun Danu temple Beratan Bedugul lake is very famous for its beauty that has become a favorite tourist spot in Bali, around this place have also been equipped with adequate accommodation such as hotels, villas, restaurants, spacious public park and souvenir shops. Not far from the location of Ulun Danu temple there are also some interesting place for holiday like Bedugul botanical gardens and Bedugul fruit and vegetable market.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple Map

Location and Map of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Bedugul Bali powered by Google Maps

Map data ©2014 Google Imagery ©2014 CNES / Astrium, Cnes/Spot Image, DigitalGlobe, Landsat

Terms of Use

Report a map error

Map

Satellite

Besakih Temple - Great Temple of Bali

Besakih Temple is the biggest Hindu Temple in Bali that is famous called by Mother Temple located in Besakih Village, Rendang District and Karangasem Regency. It is situated on the southwest slope of Agung Mount and blessed by the beautiful natures, cool temperatures and peaceful atmospheres. Besakih Temple is one of the famous tourist destinations in Bali and many visited by domestic and foreign tourists. The location on the foot of mountain is deliberately choose based on believe that Agung Mount is the highest mountain in Bali Island like the high and secret of Agung Mahameru Mount at the heaven.

Besakih in History

Name of Besakih is come from the word Basuki. In some Lontar (Bible made from palm leafs) are mentioned Basuki or Basukih. Basuki is deriving from Sanskrit and in ancient Javanese language means safety. In mythology Samudra Manthana is mentioned that Basuki is a dragon wrapping the Mandara mount. The relics from megalithic tradition such as Menhir, Stone Throne and Pyramid Structure Terrace found in Besakih Temple complex suggesting as a sacred place, it seems that Besakih is come from very old era, long before the Hindu influence in Bali.   

Based on the traditions after the Hindu influences around 8 century, it was mentioned that Rsi Markandya in earth Pancadatu (gold, silver, copper, bronze and iron) at Basukian Temple. Next the ancient Balinese king, Sri Kesari Warmadewa established Merajan Selonding Temple at Besakih Temple Complex. He also ordered the establishment of Blanjong Monument at Sanur Village in year 913 AD to commemorate the victory against other regions.

On the governance of Erlangga, Mpu Bharadah came to Besakih Temple based on Batu Madeg Temple Inscription in year (Candra Sangkala) mentioning that 'Nawa San Apit Lawanng' 929 saka (1007 AD).

Sri Kresna Kepakisan King who ruled around 1352 AD at Samprangan Kingdom has ordered their assistants to worship the god at Besakih Temple.

Gelgel King like Dalem Ketut Ngulesir, Dalem Waturenggong  and his successors order to worship at Gunung Toh Langkir Temple that is the different name of Besakih Temple.

The first Klungkung King is Dewa Agung Jambe and other kings in Klungkungs as well as other kings in Bali Island conducted the ceremony and maintenance at Besakih Temple.

Besakih Temple Complex is built based on the balance of cosmos. Over natural conception underlying the spread of Besakih complex organized multiple directions, so that the building could represent the balance of natures as a symbolic of the universe balances.

Ista Dewata – 10 Gods at Multiple Directions

The main direction is East, South, West, North and Central as a center point. Each cardinal direction is called by Mandala with the ruling deity called ‘Dewa Catur Lokapala’ and the central Mandala become ‘Panca Dewata’. The realization of the cosmos concept as follows:

• Penataran Agung Besakih Temple as a center Mandala in central point to worship the Shiva God
• Gelap Temple located in east direction to worship Iswara God
• Kiduling Kreteg Temple located in south direction to worship Brahma God
• Ulun Kulkul is located in west direction to worship Mahadewa God
• Batumadeg Temple located in north direction to worship Vishnu God.

In Hindu philosophy, five gods (Panca Dewata) is a manifestation of Shiva God and move over complex become 10 gods (Eka Dasa Rudra) includes Iswara God, Mahaeswara God, Brahma God, Rudra God, Mahadewa God, Sangkara God,  Wisnu God, Sambu God, Siwa God, Sadasiwa God and Paramasiwa God.

Ancient relics existed at Besakih Temple complex can be classified into 2 types those are the relics belonging to the megalithic tradition and classic tradition.

1. Megalithic Tradition Relics
   Several relics belonging megalithic tradition includes Menhir is as standing stone found at Batu Madeg Temple, chair stone found at Kidulung Kreteg Temple and Pundan (Terrace) found at Dalem Puri Temple. Beside of the above forms, the courtyard layout of Besakih Temple is arranged like terrace that is from megalithic tradition. The megalithic traditions are basically aim to worship the great nature power (super natural power) like sun, mountain and the holy dead souls.
2. Classic Future Relics
   Classic future relic is come from the influence of Hinduism. The classic relics at Besakih Temple complex are predicted many come from Majapahit period in 13 – 15 century. Some relics from classic period are inscriptions,  Lingga, statue, gamelan, Selonding and other ceramic items. The inscriptions had been found are Batu Madeg Inscription (929 saka), Penataran Besakih A Inscription (1366 Saka), Penataran Besakih B Inscription (1380 Saka).

Are you in Holy Grail Rosslyn Chapel?

The mystery of the Holy Grail is very interesting, but first let's clarify what we mean exactly, or the origin of the story. It is said that when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples, all drank wine from the same cup. It is said that the cup was retained by one of them and when Jesus was crucified, used it to pick up some blood. That cup, along with traces of blood have survived over the years hidden somewhere and guarded by generations of Knights Templar ... and some theories place nothing more and nothing less than Rosslyn Chapel and more specifically, within apprentice pillar.

Apprentice Pillar

Undoubtedly, with the technology we have at our disposal in the XXI century, we could not stay with mystery. So a few years ago, they moved some powerful scanners to the chapel to see if something metallic was hiding inside the beautiful column. The results were conclusive: there is no metal inside the pillar. But new speculations made their way quickly: What have sunk into the ground? And if it is within one of the many carvings in stone in the interior of the chapel? What if it turns out is not a metal cup, but is of another material such as marble or wood?

Other sources claim that when speaking of the Holy Grail is not a physical object, but all those legends that arose in France come from a confusion in language. Holy Grail is said in French "San Graal" but what if in fact that was a mistranslation and actually referring to "Sang Real" or Royal Blood? Makes some sense to the above legend, in which the blood of Jesus have been collected with the chalice but many theorists and researchers of this mystery say that the Holy Grail is actually Mary Magdalene, who was pregnant with Jesus and therefore, carried within her womb "royal blood". This second interpretation lends itself much more to the imagination and fantasy stories, so much so that Dan Brown did not think twice to write a book about all that once was turned into a movie by Hollywood: The Da Vinci Code.

Our recommendation is that while Rosslyn Chapel visit, be put off a bit by these and other legends. They may be just old wives tales, but undoubtedly, make the visit that much more fun and get you to look at "El Pilar Apprentice" with different eyes.

Weekend discovering Uribe

It is a typical cliché that says just knowing far better places than we have at hand. In my case it is a great truth. Me you can ask to organize a tour of New Zealand, Colombia, Mozambique and Thailand and I shall advise the places you should not miss, how to get around and all the rest of the pack. But, for example, have never set foot in Extremadura. Also the Basque Country is quite unknown to me and the last weekend of October I had the opportunity to alleviate some of this lack.

The region of Uribe, one of the seven that make Vizcaya, took me on Friday with a radiant sun would not let the clouds will ensure throughout the weekend.

We took advantage of the good weather to make the first sports activities. Always remember Mount Jata it was his -a top 700 meters above sea level from where I jumped for the first time in paragliding. I flew in tandem on forests of pine and eucalyptus to land on the green pastures of near Maruri villages.

Butron Castle in Uribe
Butron Castle in Uribe
Without wasting time we headed to the beach of Sopelana, capital of the region. I quickly changed my multi-pocket pants wetsuit and grabbed one of the surfboards that allowed us to use the guys at Alder Surf. I spent the rest of the morning trying to improve something my beginner level. I still have a long way to go but I have to admit, to my own surprise, it sports fastest hooked. -now Much exercise do understand why (and) professional surfers have these fibrosos- bodies and when they finally get to ride a wave on your table, the shot of adrenaline and happiness is quite considerable.

After fueling up on food spent the afternoon visiting the castle of Butron and surprised the night learning to carve given thalli in the Palace Urgoiti.

On Saturday we started learning more about the famous wines of Txakolí then enjoy a great evening stroll on the steep cliffs of the coast between Meñakoz and Barrika.

Paragliding from Mount Jata
Paragliding from Mount Jata
Sunday arrived very quickly, as often happens when you are enjoying both things. We parted good Dew, director of Hotel Loiu, and went to the meeting of the two 4 × 4 vehicles with which would explore the ways that pierce the slopes of mount Jata. The circle closed and ended the trip in the same spot where he had begun changing the air over land.

In 48 hours I discovered that Uribe region has much to offer both landscape level activities and, of course, culinary. Here you have the entire series of articles I wrote about a destiny that is postulated as a great option weekend for everyone:

Baptism by Fire: paragliding in Uribe.

Enjoying the Surf on the beach of Sopelana in Uribe.

Visiting the castle of Butron and making thalli in the Palace Urgoiti.

Where to eat and sleep in the county of Uribe.

Tour 4 × 4 and walking down cliffs Uribe.

And like all good self-respecting discs, it also has a bonus track.

Shortly before leaving Uribe went to meet a very peculiar man: Luis Azillona, the owner of the last artisanal mill that exists in the region. Don Luis is one of those people that transmits energy and vitality only with his eyes.

The wheels of the mill Errotabarri are bicentennial and continue to operate
The wheels of the mill Errotabarri are bicentennial and continue to operate
Former director of R & D of a major company, now lives retired in his magnificent farmhouse Township Gamiz and, among other things, the mill grinds corn Errotabarri, a Basque word meaning new mill. It was there that we received a sunny Sunday. We showed how this mill has been doing since the late eighteenth century works.

Water that moves the old wheels comes from a nearby river and enters your property through a channel that he himself is responsible for cleaning. After seeing those old samples an almost forgotten era, took us to the room where the corn is ground. The resulting process is the famous corn flour used to make petals: cake made with this ingredient mixed with water and salt.

Don Luis does not work, let alone an industrial scale, it only accepts orders from neighbors that come with a certain quality corn. They do not charge money, but in kind, keeping a small amount of ground.

After showing the whole process entered his house and he made a combined thalli with such disparate elements as sausage, cheese and black chocolate. They were delicious. Best thalli we tested throughout the weekend. His wife and son joined us in the tasting while enjoying views of the countryside from the old chairs on the porch of the house.

It seems that the son of Luis plans to continue the family tradition and want to work to preserve this unique piece Uribe. I hope so and still, always, one more reason to come and discover the region of Uribe.