Visiting Ulun Danu Temple at Lake Bratan in the early morning felt like stepping into a tranquil world. As a tour guide, I’ve seen many beautiful places, but this visit was indeed special.
Ulun Danu Temple, built in 1634, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Lake or the Goddess of Prosperity. It serves as a place of worship and gratitude for the farmers nearby, who come to express thanks for good harvests.
We arrived early in the morning, and the quiet was almost surreal. My clients and I started by exploring the temple, taking in the serene atmosphere. In the main yard, the shrines stood tall, adding to the sense of calm. It's still morning, I thought, and that's why it was so quiet.
By the lake, two other shrines added to the picturesque scenery. The serene water and the morning light created a beautiful, peaceful setting.
A memorable part of our visit was meeting a group of elementary school students and their teacher from North Bali. They were curious and friendly, and it was heartwarming to see them interact with my clients from Ireland. They exchanged questions, joked around, and shared a few laughs. After thanking each other and saying goodbye, we continued our exploration.
We wandered through the gardens, which functioned like a beautifully treated garden. There were different flowers, neatly arranged meadows, and statues of Balinese dancers, dinosaurs, and birds. The care taken by the people tending to the flowers and cleaning the meadow was evident, adding to the temple's beauty and charm.
This visit was great because there were not many people around. The morning quiet gave us a chance to explore and appreciate the temple.