Pura Ulun Danu Beratan : The Jewel of North Bali

Did you know that Bali has nine key direction temples? These nine directional temples (called Kayangan Jagat) are the largest and most prominent. They are located at strategic points across Bali and are designed to protect the island and its inhabitants from dark forces. They are located on either rugged high ground or at water edge, where the Balinese believe to be the source of evil dark forces.

🔼Batukara Temple – slope of Mount Batukara (West Bali)

🔼Masceti Temple – on the sacred beach of Masceti (South West Bali)

🔼Uluwatu Temple – southernmost tip of Bali (South Bali)

🔼Goa Lawah Temple – along the main road leading to Candidasa (South East Bali)

🔼Besakih Temple – western slope of Mount Agung (East Bali)

🔼Lempuyang Temple – between Amiapura and Amed (East Bali)

🔼PasarAgung Temple – southern slope of Mount Agung (East Bali)

🔼Ulun Danu Batur Temple – near Mount Batur Volcano, in Kintamani (North East Bali)

🔼Ulun Danu Beratan Temple – west side of Lake Beratan (North Bali)

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

The "cameraman" for the whole trip

The "model" for the trip

From the list of these nine directional temples, the most visited one is probably Uluwatu temple which is conveniently located near the southern beaches of Bali, where tourists are normally based. Besakih Temple on the other hand, is the most important of them all, for being the mother of all Hindu Temple in Bali. However, the most beautiful temple has got to be Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, sometimes spelled Ulun Danu Bratan.

Look familiar?

Is the temple floating?

Dubbed the floating temple or Bali temple on the lake, the temple base is surrounded by the calm and almost perfectly still lake, giving the temple a unique floating impression. This beautiful temple is easily one of the Bali’s most picturesque temple thanks to the surrounding mountain ranges of the Bedugul region and the rising mist from the lake which creates a mystical feel. With its elevation of about 1200m above sea level, the climate here is chilly and misty (at times). If you can’t stand the cold, be sure to put on warmer clothing or bring a jacket with you.

We saw local pilgrims praying on the day of our visit

The floating temple complex boasts four groups of shrines, one to worship the god Shiva, one for Wisnu, another one for Brahma and last but not least, the fourth group of shrines is built in adoration of the Goddess Danu, to whom the temple is dedicated. Danu in local tongue means “lake” and the Goddess Danu is queen of water, lakes and rivers. Lake Beratan is the most important source importance as a main source of irrigation in Bali. Ceremonies are often held here to ensure water supply to the Balinese farmers.

Another photo of temple gate

The most photographer temple here is none other than the one which sits right on the lake. This temple is depicted on the old RP 50,000 Rupiah note (the entrance to this place is also coincidentally RP 50,000 per person). You can also rent a pedal boat or canoe for RP 100,000 and RP 200,000 to view the temple from a different perspective. We didn’t go for it as we had other plans for the day and didn’t intent to spend extra time pedalling across the lake.

Water level not high enough

Water isn't calm so we can't see a nice reflection

Do note though that in order to see the temple floating on the lake, the water level of the lake has to be high enough to create such a visual. Obviously, if you were to visit when the water is low, it will not be floating. As Lake Beratan is a mountainous area, it could also get quite foggy and misty at times, and this could potentially affect how your photo turned out. We visited when the sky is cloudy and gloomy but thankfully it didn’t rain. I’d say it was not the perfect day for photography, but when it comes to travelling, this is not something we can always plan.

Messy hair

Look at the gloomy sky

We spent over an hour walking around the grounds, took some photos and enjoyed a couple of peaceful areas we found, while our driver, Joe waited at the parking area. When we were finally done, we noticed more crowds coming in from tourist buses and was told that it gets even busier in the late afternoon, so if you dislike the crowd, be sure to get there as early as possible.

There is a huge garden in the temple complex

An art installation from previous art festival, where is still there

From Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, we travelled for about 30 minutes to Banyu Wana Amertha, before stopping at Wanagiri Hidden Hills and the gate of Handara Golf & Resort. We ended our day with lunch at De Danau which is right opposite the temple, before heading to the airport for our flight home. 

Chicken for him, Bebek (duck) for me

Cost

Entrance fee = RP 50,000 per person

Car parking = RP 5,000 per vehicle. This is paid by our driver. 

Toilet = RP 2,000 per person

How to get there

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is about 2-hour drive from Ubud. The visit to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan can be combined together with Handara Golf & Resort, Wanagiri Hidden Hills and some of the waterfalls around the area. If you are interested in dolphin watching, you can head further north to Lovina first thing in the morning, then cover the rest after your dolphin watching.

While renting a scooter is a wonderful way to see the Ubud, if say, you are staying in Ubud, it’s a lot easier to explore other areas of Bali (like Bedugul for example) with a private driver. Price varies between RP500,000 to 600,000 per day, including petrol and parking fees.

We hired a driver for RP 500,000 on the last day of our trip to cover the area of Bedugul. Do contact our driver, Joe for more information - Facebook:  Bali Driver & Tour Organizer | Whatsapp / Wechat: +62 813-3741-2185

Best Time to Visit

The crowd when we were leaving

Do reach early before 10am as the temple is usually crowded in the late morning and in the afternoon. Located conveniently in between Ubud and Lovina, this can be done as a pit-stop while travelling between Ubud and Lovina. We didn’t go to Lovina despite the fact that I was eyeing for the dolphin, but it can be done on the same day. You could start your day with dolphin watching at Lovina which would see you departing from Ubud before dawn. Once you are done with the dolphin, stop by Pura Ulun Danu Beratan on the way back to Ubud (or Kuta / Seminyak, depending on where you are based)

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm

Epilogue

If your time in Bali is short, and you can only visit just one temple, then Pura Ulun Danu Beratan should be your number one choice. The temple is stunning, and you will also like the chilly weather here. It is one of the highlights of North Bali and should be the temple you see if you only have time for one. While you are at Bedugul, throw in Wanagiri Hidden Hills and any of the secluded waterfalls into your itinerary to mix things up. If you are into dolphin, go further north to Lovina. We didn’t get to do that, but I think it’s an awesome experience of its own.

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