Wednesday, 2022-08-31
The floating temple, one of the most photographed tourist attractions in Bali island.
Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, offers many tourist sites. One of my favorite places to visit when in Bali is the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. It's located on the shores of Lake Beratan Bedugul in the village of Candikuning, which is part of the highlands of Bedugul, Baturiti district, Tabanan regency. Bedugul is located right in the center of Bali at an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level. The fresh, cool climate and mountainous scenery are why it has become the favorite weekend and holiday retreat for many locals from all over Bali.
Beautiful garden and tidy courtyard leading to the lake.
In Indonesian, Pura means temple, Ulun means edge, and Danu means lake. So Pura Ulun Danu means a temple on the edge of a lake. This is a perfect place to visit if you like the unique Balinese architecture, beautiful garden arrangements with many types of flowers, and an unspoiled natural environment. When the water of Lake Beratan rises, the temple looks like it is floating on the surface of the lake. The water is clear and calm. Sometimes during the day, a thin fog appears, covering the lake's surface and hilly areas. The main attraction is the two temples located by the lake. The iconic photos of the two temples floating in the middle of the lake were once depicted in IDR 50,000 currency.
The famous floating temple in IDR 50,000 currency.
According to the information on the back of the entrance ticket, the temple was built in 1634 by I Gusti Agung Putu (King of the Mengwi Kingdom). This temple was built to worship Goddess Danu (Goddess of water, lakes, and rivers). Goddess Danu refers to the figure of Goddess Parwati or the wife of Lord Shiva (the trinity of supreme divinity in Hinduism; Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).
The temple is built of wood in the shape of a pagoda, with 11 levels on the roof. The beautiful architecture of the temple complements the beauty of the hilly background, as well as the natural lake that surrounds it.
Boat rental at the jetty.
You can also participate in water activities such as fishing, kayaking, speedboating, and renting a traditional wooden boat (Jukung). By boat, you can see the view of the lake and the temple architecture from a close distance with a different perspective or photo angle. Swan (pedal) boat is also available and popular for kids.
There are also places to eat that serve Western, Chinese, and Indonesian dishes at friendly prices. For those who want to stay around tourist attractions, there are many hotels and villas available.
Hope you like the views.😊
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ABOUT ME
A baby boomer who's trying to embrace and adapt to the new digital world. Before retiring, he worked for over 30 years in the IT industry. Now running an online vegetable delivery and hydroponics equipment supplies business with his wife based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Enjoy traveling, cooking, writing, and IT-related stuff. You're always welcome to leave a comment or feedback, and an upvote or reblog is also greatly appreciated.