Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Place guide

Set atop a plateau that sits on Beratan Lake lies the mesmerizing Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. Built in the 17th century in honor of the Hindu gods Brajma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the lake goddess Dew Danu, the temple’s name means ‘the power or source temple of Lake Bratan’. It is one of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites in Indonesia, as well as a social and religious symbol for the Balinese.

The temple complex is comprised of five temples and one Buddhist Stupa:

• Penataran Agung Temple: Fedicated to Shiva to invoke human prosperity and well-being
  
  
• Dalem Purwa Temple: Located on the southern banks of Lake Beratan
  
  
• Taman Beji Temple: Used for Hindu Balinese purification ceremonies
  
  
• Lingga Petak Temple: Known as Ulun Danu, this temple is believed to be the main source of water and fertility of the lake
  
  
• Prajapati Temple: Found under a big banyan tree, this temple honors the goddess Durga
  
  
• Buddhist Stupa: Buddhist shrine with a statue facing the temple complex’s south side

TripGuru Tips

• When to go: The best time to visit the Ulun Danu temple is during the wet season, which is usually from October to April. This is because Ulun Danu’s popularity is rooted in its being a floating temple. If you go during the dry season from April to October, the water may be low and you might not see the temple floating on water.
  
  
• Operating hours: While the official operating hours of Ulun Danu Bratan are from 7am to 7pm, the temple itself is open for worship 24 hours. Some travelers vouch that sunrise is the best time to go (around 6am), while others say 9am to 2pm is ideal so you don’t get much fog in photos. However, this is also the most popular time for tourists to come, so expect crowds!
  
  
• Etiquette: While a popular tourist attraction in Bali, the Beratan temple is first and foremost a sacred and religious site, and must be treated with respect. Refrain from conversing with the monks, as it may distract them from their meditation. It is also advisable to wear clothing that cover the legs, shoulders, and feet. People who do not follow the dress code may be denied entrance or asked to wear a batik wrap.
  
  
• Attire: The popular attire in temples is a sarong that you can use to wear around your hips that fall down and cover your legs. If you’re going in the morning, you can also bring a sweater as it can get quite chilly.
  
  
• What to bring: Prepare IDR50,000 for the Ulun Danu entrance fee, which you can pay at the ticket counter in the parking lot at the temple entrance.
  
  
• Do: Some activities (besides photo taking!) that you can do in the area include visiting the Taman Rekreasi Bedugul (extra fees) – a recreation park with a variety of water sports. You can also take a boat ride on the lake (extra fees), go fishing (gear rental available), hike the walking path, enjoy lunch at the Bedugul Restaurant, or shop at the souvenir boutiques.
  
  
• Nearby attractions: Situated in the highlands of Bedugual in the north of Bali, it is highly recommended to combine a trip to Ulun Danu with other locations such as a trip to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, the Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, Bali Botanic Gardens, Tanah Lot Temple, Handara Gate, Wanagiri Hidden Hill, and Lovina.

How to get there

• We recommend joining an Ulun Danu Temple Tour, as it is one of the easiest and most stress-free ways to get to Ulun Danu. 
  
  
• While it is possible to rent a car or motorbike to get there yourself, it is a pretty far drive from most of the major areas (1.5 hours from Ubud, 2.5 hours from Canggu, Kuta, and Seminyak). 
  
  
• Another option would be to hire a driver and carve out an itineraryfor the day with a stop at Ulun Danu and the surrounding scenic locations.
  
  

Address: Danau Beratan, Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82191, Indonesia