Lake Bratan and Balinese waterfalls. The main "water" temple of Bali - Pura Ulun Danu and Lake Bratan

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The heart of Bali, beautiful in appearance and from a spiritual point of view, the Sacred Bratan Lake, is located in the central part of the island, at an altitude of more than a kilometer above sea level at the foot of the picturesque Mount Gunung Katur. It is on the shore of this wonderful reservoir that one of the most amazing Indonesian temples is located - Pura Ulun Danu.
Lake Bratan was formed millions of years ago - the waters filled the crater of an ancient volcano. Over time, the once formidable, spewing destructive lava, the mountains became covered with lush vegetation - Bro is surrounded by lush tropical forests.

Here, on the banks of aquamarine waters, there is a Garden of Eden, entwined with lianas, replete with fruits, colorful fragrant flowers and sweet-voiced birds.
The purest reservoir, in some places reaching 35 meters in depth, is a source of life and food for the Balinese. Rice terraces, coffee, fruit, vanilla plantations are irrigated with this water. The people of this island believe that the lake is guarded by the goddess of fertility herself, Virgo Sori (Devi Danu). Often she is also called the goddess of rice.

Of course, the sacred lake could not be left without its temple - Pura Ulun Danu is dedicated to the goddess. When the farmers start planting rice and when they are harvesting, there are festive events in the temple.
Pura Ulun Danu was built in the 17th century. It consists of several buildings, some of which are located on the small coastal islands of Bratan. Thanks to this, the stunning beauty of the complex is achieved.

Unfortunately, according to Indonesian beliefs, people of other faiths are not allowed to enter inside religious buildings, so European tourists are deprived of the opportunity to get acquainted with the beauty of the interiors of Ulun Danu. However, the entrance to the territory of the temple is open, as well as its photography is allowed.

And that's enough - the temple against the background of the surrounding nature looks incredibly picturesque. Its multi-tiered buildings seem to grow out of the water, as if they are a mystical continuation of the lake. And how magnificent the flowers are against its background, how pleasing majestic mountains surrounding the temple, how delightful the sun's rays breaking through the clouds and illuminating it!

It is interesting that on the territory of the temple and next to it, despite its sacred status, the tourist infrastructure is well developed - right at the temple buildings you can take pictures with iguanas and bats, walks on national canoes are organized on the lake, and a few tens of meters from this place sell souvenirs and other nice little things.

The beauty of Bali knows no bounds. On the island . One of them is the temple of Pura Ulun Danu on Lake Bratan. This landmark is depicted on the 50,000 Indonesian rupiah banknote and is of particular importance to the locals. The lake itself is one of the sources of water for irrigation canals that irrigate rice fields and terraces. There are few freshwater reservoirs on the island, which explains the development of the cult of water among the Balinese. To worship the goddess of the lakes, Pura Ulun Danu was built, which occupies the second most important place among the sacred temples of the island. Everyone who has ever seen the temple with their own eyes, argue that this is a delightful sight.

Temple of Ulan Danu

Pura Ulun Danu (Indon. Pura Ulun Danu) is one of nine temples built in honor of the gods of agriculture, agriculture and fertility. All of them are located in different parts islands, forming a single Buddhist complex. Oolong Danu on Lake Bratan is called a floating temple. It is dedicated to the goddess of lakes Devi Danu, the patroness of the water element and the mother of moisture. In the culture of the Balinese, it occupies a respectful place, so the location for the construction of the temple was not chosen by chance. It is located on the shore of a sacred lake, on a protruding part of the land. The lake itself was formed in the crater of the volcano after another eruption. At high tide, Oolong Danu is partially flooded, creating the illusion of a "temple on the water."

Bratan - a mountain freshwater lake formed inside a crater extinct volcano. Its depth in some places reaches 34 m, and its height above sea level is 1,202 m above sea level. Due to the pressure, a dense fog often forms over it, adding to it even more mystique.

The complex of sacred temples includes 9 structures designed to protect the island from evil spirits and send a good harvest and happiness to the locals. These include:

Pura Agung Besakih;
Pura Goa Lava;
Pura Lempuyang Luhur;
Pura Luhur Batukaru;
Uluwatu Temple;
Pura Masketi;
Pura Agung;
Oolong Danu Bro;
Uldun Danu Batur.

In general, there are 4 Ulun Danu temples. After the eruption of the Batur volcano, 3 lakes appeared in the nearby area, which form the "lake region". These are Bro, Buyan and Tamblingan. Therefore, there are 2 more temples Ulun Danu Buyan and Tamblingan. These lakes are located a little further away and are not as popular as the Bratan Temple. The place is really very beautiful. Mountain landscapes, lush forests and lush greenery around add picturesqueness to it. You can find him at Jalan Raya Candi Kuning in Tabanan.

History of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

The construction of the temple began in XVII century, when the ruler Mengwi decided to build a complex of holy buildings to protect the island from evil spirits. The place for the construction of Ulun Danu was not chosen by chance. According to legend, the water in Bratan has healing, rejuvenating and miraculous properties. Allegedly, the one who bathes in it acquires eternal youth, health and longevity. The Balinese still believe in this, so every year they perform various rituals by the lake and bring offerings to the goddess Devi Dan.

According to legend, the construction of the temple was carried out by blacksmiths who made ritual weapons. When the goddess Devi Danu saw the temple, she liked it so much that she wanted to hide it from human eyes under a forest of water and flooded part of the structure. Indeed, at high tide it seems that the building goes under water, but as soon as the water recedes, you can walk to the temple by land.

In fact, Pura Ulun Danu is a temple complex, not a separate building. There are 5 temples here. They differ in the number of tiers and purpose. During the volcanic eruption in 1917, the lava came close to the complex, but stopped right at the foot and the temples miraculously survived. Pura Ulan withstood after a series of several earthquakes. After that, it was decided to ennoble and strengthen the area around Ulud Danu, and protect it from possible subsequent natural disasters. Built around the complex Botanical Garden, a park area, a Buddhist stupa and a playground.

Architecture

Ulun Danu Temple - sacred place, built according to all the canons of Hindu architecture. The Balinese are characterized by the construction of multi-tiered sanctuaries with pagodas (meru), which have a sacred meaning. The roof is covered with black resin, which is made from palm trees. The temple complex includes 5 buildings. They have from 3 to 11 tiers. Each is dedicated to a particular god. Central are 3 buildings dedicated to the triune deity: Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.

The main temple consists of 11 tiers. It is located separately and is designed to worship Vishnu - the god of the universe. The one with 7 tiers is a shrine in honor of Brahma, the creator of the universe. The three-tiered temple is dedicated to Shiva - the god of destruction, male and female principles. The rest of the temples are located on the shore of Lake Bratan, surrounded by mountains and a garden.

Locals regularly bring offerings here, read mantras at the altars and pray for well-being and a good harvest. Also, and receive blessings from the Trimurti triad. To receive the favor of Devi Danu, sacred ceremonies and rituals are held in the Pura Oolong temple. There are special holidays that the Balinese celebrate:

Piodalan - the day of the temple;
Piodalan Agung is a holiday dedicated to Devi Dan.

Most Balinese holidays do not have a fixed date, so they are counted every 210 and 420 days, respectively. Piodalan Agung - very beautiful holiday, which is accompanied by rituals and offerings.

When visiting the complex, tourists can enter all the halls of the temple, except for the main one, where services are held. To enter inside, you need to wear special clothes, cover your head, shoulders and legs. It can be bought or rented on site. If you come in ordinary clothes, locals may take it as disrespectful. It is also worth taking warm clothes with you, since the lake and the temple are located on high altitude and in the mountains, so it becomes cool here in the afternoon.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to Bratan and Pura Oolong. The easiest of them is as part of an excursion group. Travelers come here from all parts of Bali. The program often includes visits to nearby attractions: rice terraces Jatiluwih, Sekumpul and Git-Git waterfalls. Also, you can visit Bratan and Pura Ulun Danu temple on your own. They are located 52 km from Denpasar, so you can get here by public transport and car. To get by bus, you must first get to Denpasar, and then take a flight to Bedugul. The fare is 70 thousand rupees.

You can also get there by car or scooter. If you go from Denpasar, the road will take up to 2 hours. You need to head along the Gilimanuk highway, then turn onto Gusti Ngurah Rai towards Bedugul. From others resort areas Kuta or Seminyak can be reached by the Raya Kerobokan highway in 2.5 hours. From Nusa Dua, you first need to drive to Kuta, and then turn onto Raya Kerobokan.

Entry fee

Temple Pura Ulun Danu is open daily and is open to the public from 8 am to 6 pm. The ticket price is 30 thousand rupees for adults and 15 thousand rupees for children. Most the best time to visit - the second half of the day. The temple looks amazing at sunset. In the vicinity there is a guesthouse and a hotel where you can spend the night. Also, there are restaurants and cafes.

The water temple of Pura Ulun Danu is a landmark in Bali that every tourist should see. This sacred building beautiful place deserves attention, because here you can get to know the culture and traditions of the Balinese.

The address: Baturiti Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia
Opening hours: the passage to the temple of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan on the lake is open from 8:30 to 18:00
Visit cost: lake - free, entrance to the temple Pura Ulun Danu Bratan - 30 thousand rupees ($ 2.25)

Lake Bratan (in Indonesian - Beratan) is the most famous and most visited by tourists among the three sacred lakes on (along with and). An amazing atmosphere reigns here, lush tropical forests are often shrouded in haze, and magnificent panoramas of the surroundings open from the mountain.

Location

Lake Bratan is located on the island of Bali, at the foot of Tapak, at an altitude of about 1200 m above sea level.

History of Bro

Several millennia ago, a powerful and destructive eruption of the huge Chatur occurred in these parts, which led to the formation of a caldera, which is several volcanoes with many peaks. As a result of the eruption, the surrounding areas have undergone major changes, one of which was the formation of 3 sacred reservoirs in this part of Bali. Among them was Lake Bratan.

Legends about the lake and its role on the island

Bro, Buyan and Tamblingan are sources of fresh water on, surrounded on all sides by salty sea waters. Therefore, the Balinese treat them very reverently. Indeed, thanks to these freshwater sources, local residents can irrigate, the harvest from which directly depends on the fullness of the reservoirs.

The Balinese associate several legends with Lake Bratan. Its name is translated from the local language as Lake of the Holy Mountain. According to ancient beliefs, every person who bathed in it at the first rays of the sun will find youth and health, live a long and happy life. Lake Bratan is quite large, but not very deep (its maximum depth is about 35 m). The water in it is the purest, so taking a dip here is a pleasure.

The bro is also called the "Abode of Devi Danu." It is believed here that the goddess has 4 residences on the island, including on each of the sacred lakes. And on the shore of Lake Bratan in Bali, they even built a separate one for her.

Attractions of the lake and its environs

Here's what you should pay attention to if you decide to visit Lake Bratan:

How to get there?

In order to get to Lake Bratan in Bali, you can use the public services or take and get on your own.

Public transport (buses and minibuses) departs from the terminals of the main resort towns of the island:

from ,- you need to get to the terminal at, then transfer to the bus to the side; it leaves at 10:00 o'clock, the ticket costs 75 thousand rupees ($5.6);
from the terminal to– buses leave at 10:30, you will also have to pay the same amount for the ticket;
from the terminal to– the route starts at 11:30, the ticket price is the same as on the above routes.

Those who travel by car are often interested in the question of whether the road is dangerous in the Lake Bratan area. No, the road is quite calm, but it makes sense to know the route in advance, which will save time and not get lost.

A trip to Lake Bratan from the main cities of Bali will take you from 2 to 2.5 hours.

Below we present to your attention short description how to get there by car from some settlements:

From Denpasar, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta and Sanur. We have to move north to Jl. Denpasar-Singaraja, and once on it, you will need to drive another 27 km to the intersection. On it you can turn left onto Jl. Baturiti Bedugul (in this case, you will also see the Tanah Lot temple, follow the green signs Ulun Danu Beratan), or to the right, to Jl. Puncak Mangu (then you will be taken to south beach lakes from observation deck and a gorgeous panorama from there).
From the Bukit Peninsula and from Ubud. The routes are similar to the previous one, only first you will need to get to Denpasar. From Ubud you have to go south to Jl. Raya Singakerta, and then go to Jl. Denpasar-Singaraja.

Travel Tips

Lake Bratan (or Beratan) is the most visited lake in Bali by tourists. It is located in the very center of the island at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level. This area of Bali is covered with regal volcanic massifs, green exotic forests. Here it is easy to accidentally stumble upon an ancient shrine, and life in traditional Balinese villages flows as measuredly as a hundred years ago. Hiding in the huge craters of the fire-breathing mountains mountain lakes with clear still water. sacred lake Bro is one of them. It is surrounded by a ring of forested mountains. The depth of the lake in some places is 35 meters. One of the most famous temple complexes "on the water" on the "most promoted" Indonesian island is also located here.

Even the local Balinese come here for picnics, or just to spend free time boating with family.

This lake is the main source of water for rice fields, the Balinese protect it very much and built the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple here - one of the nine sacred temples on the island. I saw only one of the “nine temples”, on Lake Bratan, and in general, many of them are also within tourist reach.

The most revered sacred temple complex in Bali, of course, is the Besakih temple, I was not there, but it was very well photographed and described by Igor and Natasha. At the foot of the Batur volcano, there is the sacred temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur, which I also did not have enough time to see, well, and yet, everyone is watching the temple in Pura Luhur Uluwatu, which I almost reached one of the days on my Honda Vario .

But the temple on Lake Bratan is without a doubt one of the most beautiful on the Indonesian island. The temple towers are located on small islands in the lake and some of them can only be reached by boat.

Previously, the water level in the lake was much higher, but due to intensive use, it has dropped and some of the temples that used to stand on the islands are now on solid ground.

There is also a park on the shores of the lake, where it is very pleasant to take a walk, breathing the fresh "alpine" air.

In Bali, the main means of transportation are bikes, scooters or mopeds, everyone calls them differently. Motorcycles in Bali are also sometimes found, this is an enduro Kawasaki KLX150S, basically they are all low-power, in the two weeks of my stay on the island I did not see a single “liter”, there is simply nowhere to “fry” there - there are no suitable roads.

After visiting the lake, I went to the north of the island to the Bali waterfalls, which I visited two. The first one was Gitgit waterfall. All the way to this waterfall, tourists are accompanied by Balinese children selling souvenirs.

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The road to the waterfall is not very close and the path lies through interesting and bizarre bridges.

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And here is the first of the Gingit waterfalls, to be honest, it did not make a big impression on me.

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He is quite small.

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The second waterfall in Bali where we went was Sekumpul Waterfall. It is bigger, more interesting, but a very long road leads to it.

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This is probably the highest waterfall in Bali. You need to go to it along a small canal, right next to the settlements of local Balinese.

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The waterfall is very tall and beautiful.

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In Bali, we went to a specially organized surf camp, which came up with a very interesting person Lyosha Kirillov and his company. In my opinion, this is the best way, in terms of price-quality ratio, to try yourself in this sport. He organizes surf groups almost every month. To somehow remember our group in my memory, I called it the capacious word "junkies". Getting to the bottom of the waterfall, you need to overcome a huge number of steps.

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And wade across a small river. I called this photo “junkies crossing the river” and I myself laughed at this joke all the way while walking to the waterfall, after all, Balinese “plants”, a killer thing.

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As it turned out, there is more than one stream on the way to the waterfall, but the “junkies” coped with this task as well.

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And here is the tall Sekumpul waterfall, I’m standing on the left for scale.

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Another photo to understand the scale of the waterfall.

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Our surfer is the Torchka team at the Sekumpul waterfall.

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After such a rich excursion, we went to dinner. Not far from Kuta wonderful place Jimbaran, where restaurant tables are located in close proximity to the ocean on chic sandy beaches.

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And so ended my last sightseeing day in Bali ...

I must say that it is simply impossible to visit Bali and not encounter the spiritual part of the life of the islanders. An incredible number of temples is one of the most noticeable features of the island (according to official figures, there are more than 20 thousand temples in Bali). Every village has at least three public temples. Moreover, if a Balinese can afford it, then he certainly has his own family temple. For the Balinese, the construction of any house begins with the construction of a temple.
I told you about the temple, and today I will tell you about the popular temple in Bali - Pura Ulun Danu.

The temple is located on Lake Bratan - this is the heart of the island of Bali. It is located in the very center of the island at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level. This area of Bali is covered with regal volcanic massifs, green exotic forests. The depth of the lake in some places is 35 meters.
This lake is the main source of water for rice fields, the Balinese protect it very much and built the Pura Ulun Danu temple here, erected in honor of the goddess of the reservoir Dewi Danu.

The temple really stands on the water and you can’t just approach it.
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2. The main entrance.

3. The temple complex includes several buildings, some of them are on the shore and therefore quite accessible to tourists.

4. Except himself temple complex on the shores of the lake there is a chic botanical garden Eka Karya, which was created in 1959.

6. Buildings on the temple grounds.

8. Meal.

10. Currently, the temple is open for tourists from 8 am to 6 pm, despite the constant pilgrimage of residents who perform various rituals and religious ceremonies. I just got to the ceremony. You can’t go there, so you had to watch through the fence.

11 . The second legend is connected with the creation of the temple: as if it was erected by blacksmiths-gunsmiths who created "kris" - magical daggers for kings and troops, and after the territory was seized by Javanese invaders, they were expelled from the territory of the island. And the temple itself remained as a reminder of them. They say that it was here that the very masters, blacksmiths of antiquity, who could endow any weapon with real magical power, lived.

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13. Despite the fact that the age of the Ulun Danu temple is more than 300 years, it has been perfectly preserved to this day.

14 . One of the most favorite places for tourists.

15. Newlyweds.

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20. The 11-tiered tower (pelinggih meru) is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Pavati, his wife. Inside the tower is a Buddha statue.

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24. There is one detail of Balinese reality that is especially striking to tourists - these are offerings to spirits. On these small baskets woven from palm leaves it is simply impossible not to pay attention, they are everywhere: at any house, shop, in a taxi, at bridges, at crossroads and on the beach. This completely pagan tradition, at first glance, carries a beautiful idea of harmony and peaceful coexistence. After all, the Balinese do not condemn, deny or expel dark or "evil" forces, accepting the fact of their existence in themselves and in the world, and moreover, they try to establish good relations with them. Offerings cajole all spirits, both good and evil, only for good spirits, offerings are placed on small pedestals, and for evil ones - right on the ground, and tourists often step on them. Good spirits receive notes with prayers and incense, while evil spirits receive water, food, and sometimes even cigarettes.
Every morning, the Balinese pick fresh flowers from the garden for decoration - mostly frangipani.

25. Offerings are short-lived - natural products quickly fade, in the morning they are already replaced by new ones, but the main thing in Balinese Hinduism is not even the offering itself, but the process of making it, that kind energy that women invest, and which then, according to legend, will turn into a bright aura that protects their house will be blown by the wind through the rice fields and will give fertility and prosperity.

Believers, most of whom are engaged in agriculture, regularly bring gifts to the temple with prayers for improving the well-being and fertility of their lands.

26. A cool tropical climate prevails here, ideal for agriculture, so there are many farms around the lake. And the magnificent landscapes have attracted numerous tourists and travelers for decades.