Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a Balinese Hindu water temple built in 1633 on the shores of Lake Beratan in Bedugul, central Bali, dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, lakes, and rivers. It’s one of Bali’s most photographed landmarks, famous for its multi-tiered meru shrines that appear to float on the lake when water levels are high. Today, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple remains an active place of worship for Balinese farmers who depend on the lake for irrigation, as well as a major stop for tourists visiting the cooler highland region of Bedugul.
Having guided travelers through Bali for over 30 years, I’ve watched this temple become one of the most requested stops on itineraries heading toward Bedugul and Tabanan, but few visitors actually know its real history or why it was built where it was. Here’s the full picture.
What is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, also written as Ulun Danu Beratan or Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, is a Hindu-Buddhist water temple complex on the edge of Lake Beratan. It combines Balinese Hindu meru shrines with a Buddhist stupa, reflecting the historical coexistence of both faiths on the island.
Where is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple located?
The temple sits in Candikuning village, Bedugul, in the Tabanan regency, roughly 1.5 hours north of Ubud and about 2 hours from Seminyak or Kuta, depending on traffic. The drive climbs steadily into Bali’s highlands, so temperatures drop noticeably, worth packing a light jacket.
Why is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple famous?
It’s famous for its lakeside setting and the striking image of its shrines reflected on Lake Beratan’s still water, especially in early morning light with mist rolling off the surrounding hills. The temple’s image also appears on Indonesia’s 50,000 rupiah banknote, cementing its status as a national landmark.
How old is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
The temple was founded in 1633, making it roughly 390 years old, established during the reign of the Mengwi kingdom.
What is the history of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
According to Balinese historical records, the temple was built by I Gusti Agung Putu, the king of Mengwi, to honor Dewi Danu and secure blessings for the region’s water supply, which fed rice terraces across Tabanan and beyond through Bali’s subak irrigation system.
Who built Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
The Mengwi royal dynasty is credited with the temple’s founding in the 17th century, and it has been maintained by local communities and the subak irrigation associations ever since.
What does the name Ulun Danu Beratan mean?
“Ulun” means head or source, “Danu” means lake, and “Beratan” refers to the lake itself, together translating roughly to “temple at the head of Lake Beratan,” describing both its location and its symbolic role as guardian of the water source.
History & Culture
What is the historical significance of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
The temple represents the deep link between Balinese Hinduism and agriculture. Lake Beratan is a crucial water source feeding irrigation channels across Tabanan and parts of Bedugul, and the temple was built specifically to honor and protect that resource.
What is the story behind Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Local tradition holds that the temple was established after the Mengwi kingdom recognized Lake Beratan’s importance to regional farming and sought divine protection for the water supply by dedicating a temple to Dewi Danu at the lake’s edge.
Why is Ulun Danu Beratan considered a sacred temple?
As a pura tirta (water temple), it holds a central place in Balinese Hindu cosmology, where water flowing from mountain lakes down to rice fields is treated as a sacred, life-giving cycle connecting nature, agriculture, and spirituality.
What is the connection between Ulun Danu Beratan and Balinese Hinduism?
The temple reflects the Balinese Hindu concept of Tri Hita Karana, harmony between people, nature, and the divine – with Dewi Danu specifically honored as the deity overseeing balance and fertility through water.
What makes Ulun Danu Beratan culturally important in Bali?
Local subak farming communities still hold ceremonies here to bless irrigation water, and the temple remains active in daily worship — it isn’t simply a preserved historical site, but a functioning part of Balinese religious life.
Sacred Water & Local Ceremonies
Why is the water at Lake Beratan considered sacred?
Lake Beratan is regarded as a sacred water source because it feeds the subak irrigation system that sustains rice cultivation across Tabanan, so Balinese Hindus honor it as both a practical and spiritual life source.
Is there a purification ritual (melukat) at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Unlike Tirta Empul near Ubud, Ulun Danu Beratan is not primarily known as a bathing or melukat purification site, its role centers on offerings and ceremonies to Dewi Danu rather than ritual bathing. Travelers specifically seeking a melukat experience are usually better directed to Tirta Empul or other dedicated purification temples, which a local guide can arrange as part of the same day if timing allows.
What ceremonies take place at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Balinese farmers and subak associations hold regular ceremonies here to bless water for irrigation, alongside temple anniversary celebrations (odalan) that draw large local congregations dressed in traditional white and gold attire.
Why do Balinese people visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Locals visit primarily to pray for agricultural prosperity, water abundance, and protection from drought, reflecting the temple’s core purpose as guardian of the region’s water supply.
Visiting Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
What should you wear when visiting Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
A sarong is required within temple grounds (usually provided or rentable at the entrance). Bedugul’s highland climate is noticeably cooler than the coast, so a light jacket or long sleeves are worth packing.
What are the rules for visiting Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
- Wear a sarong within the temple complex
- Stay on designated walkways around the shrines — the inner meru areas are for worship, not casual photos
- Keep noise respectful, as ceremonies may be in progress
- Avoid stepping over offerings placed near the shrines
- Ask permission before photographing worshippers directly
What is the best time to visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Early morning (around 7–8 AM) offers the calmest water, softest light for photos, and thinner crowds before tour groups arrive from Ubud and the south. Bedugul’s weather shifts quickly, so mornings also tend to have clearer skies before afternoon mist or light rain rolls in.
How much does it cost to visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Entrance fees are modest, with a small separate charge for sarong rental if you don’t bring your own, inexpensive enough that cost rarely factors into travel planning here.
What time does Ulun Danu Beratan Temple open?
The temple typically opens early morning and stays open through late afternoon, though exact hours can shift slightly with local ceremonies, it’s worth checking current hours with a local operator on the day of your visit.
How long does it take to explore Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, including time at the surrounding gardens, lakeside viewpoints, and photo spots near the shrines.
Can foreigners visit and enter Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Yes, foreign visitors are welcome to explore the temple grounds and gardens, provided they follow dress code and general temple etiquette.
What should tourists know before visiting Ulun Danu Beratan Temple?
Ulun Danu Beratan pairs naturally with a Bedugul-region day trip, combined with the nearby Bali Botanic Garden, Bedugul’s fruit and vegetable market, or a longer route extending toward the Jatiluwih rice terraces in Tabanan. Road conditions climbing into Bedugul are winding with some fog in early morning or rainy season (November–March), so it’s best to consult a local operator on realistic drive times rather than assume a fixed schedule, especially if combining this with other regions like Ubud or Karangasem in the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple the same as Tirta Empul Temple? No, they’re different temples. Ulun Danu Beratan is a lakeside temple in Bedugul dedicated to the water goddess Dewi Danu, while Tirta Empul near Ubud is known specifically for its holy spring and melukat purification ritual.
Is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple worth visiting if it’s raining? Yes, light rain or mist can actually add to the atmosphere here, though very heavy rain may limit visibility across the lake – checking recent weather with your driver before departing is a good habit in the wet season.
Can I combine Ulun Danu Beratan Temple with other Bedugul attractions in one day? Yes, it’s commonly paired with the Bali Botanic Garden, Bedugul’s local market, and sometimes extended toward Jatiluwih’s rice terraces in Tabanan, though pacing depends on your starting point and other stops.
Do I need a guide to visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple? Not strictly, but a guide helps explain the temple’s history, ceremony schedule, and photography timing, and can plan the drive to avoid Bedugul’s fog-heavy early mornings or afternoon tour-bus crowds.
Planning a trip to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and the Bedugul highlands? Docar Bali Tour can arrange a private tour in Bali that combines the temple with nearby highlights, from the Bali Botanic Garden to Jatiluwih’s rice terraces in Tabanan. Message us on WhatsApp through docarbalitour.com and we’ll help you plan a route and timing that fits your trip.