Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Bali: Bedugul Lake Bratan Water Temple

Ulun Danu Temple Bedugul Bali or Ulun Danu Bratan Temple Bali or also known as Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a water temple Bali located on the edge of lake Bratan Bedugul Bali Indonesia, situated in the village of Candikuning, Baturiti subdistrict, Tabanan regency Bali, The distance from Denpasar city about 56 kilometers to the north along the highway Denpasar - Singaraja.

Ulun Danu Beratan temple is one of the most famous Balinese Hindu temples, 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 Bedugul Lake Beratan is rising.

History of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Bedugul

A 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

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Bali: Bedugul Lake Bratan Water Temple Bali

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 (Pura Ulun Danu Bratan) established before the Saka year 1556, by I Gusti Agung Putu. Since the establishment of that temple, The Kingdom of Mengwi became prosperous and I Gusti Agung Putu dubbed by the people "I Gusti Agung Sakti".

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple complex consists of five and one Buddhist Stupa

Pura Penataran Agung Temple
Can be seen upon entering the Candi Bentar (split gate) towards Beratan. The temple serves to adore the majesty of God in its manifestation as the Tri Purusha Shiva namely Shiva, Sada Shiva, and Parama Shiva in order to invoke the grace of fertility, prosperity, human well-being and for sustainability of the universe.
Pura Dalem Purwa Temple
In this temple, there are three main shrines namely Pelinggih Dalem Purwa as a place to worship the goddess Durga and Lord Rudra revered as a source of prosperity, Bale Murda Manik (Bale Pemaruman) as the place for discussion, and Bale Panjang as a place to put the offerings. The shrines in this temple are facing eastwards, located on the banks of the southern side of Lake Beratan.
Pura Taman Beji Temple
It serves to Ngebejiang ceremony (to purify the ritual paraphernalia) and to invoke Tirta (the holy water). This temple also serves as a place for Melasti (Hindu Balinese purification ceremony) by the surrounding community.
Pura Lingga Petak Temple
It is commonly called Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. This temple is also posted at IDR 50,000 banknotes, in this temple, there is a sacred well that stores the Tirta Ulun Danu (the holy water of Ulun Danu). Not only that, in this temple also contained a Lingga which has a white color, flanked by black and red stone.
The temple is believed to be the main source of water and fertility of Lake Beratan. There are two shrines in this temple that are a shrine with eleven roofs (Pelinggih Meru Tumpang Solas) facing toward the south, and a shrine with 3 roofs (Pelinggih Meru Tumpang Telu) which has four doors facing the four cardinal directions.
Pura Prajapati Temple
It is located under a big banyan tree. This temple functioned as a place of goddess Durga. This temple is facing to the west and became the first temple found after visitors pass through the admission ticket's counter to enter the area of Lake Beratan.
Buddhist Stupa
In the area of Ulun Danu Beratan, there is also a Buddhist Stupa. The Buddhist stupa here indicates that the presence of the harmony in inter-religious life. This stupa facing to the south and is located outside the main area of the complex Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.

The other temples located in Tabanan regency

Alas Kedaton: Bali: Holy Temple Inside Monkey Forest
Tanah Lot: Bali Temple on Sea Rock & Beautiful Sunset View
Batukaru Temple: Holy Place on The Slope of Mt. Batukaru Bali

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 a holiday like Bedugul Botanical Gardens and Bedugul fruit and vegetable market.