The spectacularly situated Pura Luhur Uluwatu, on the westernmost tip of the rocky Bukit Peninsula, is without doubt one of the sad kahyangan, or `six great sanctuaries` on the island of Bali. The temple is devoted to the supreme godhead, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, in his manifestation as Rudra, the dissolver of life. Violent storms or other cataclysmic interventions of nature comparable to plagues or volcanic eruptions are said to be Sanghyang Widhi appearing in his capacity as Rudra and the situation of Pura Uluwatu serves him well. Ref: Villa Matisse

Historical Associations Pura Uluwatu is claimed to have been based by the Sivaite priest and sage, Mpu Kuturan, who got here to Bali from Java within the early years of the 11th century. Though his teachings seemed to have incorporated many Buddhist parts, Mpu Kuturan is said to have been responsible for a revival of Hinduism in Bali at a time when the religion was in decline. Pura Uluwatu is also related to the legendary Nirartha who is credited with being the principal architect of a sixteenth century Hindu Renaissance in Bali around the time of the collapse of the Majapahit dynasty in East Java. Like Mpu Kuturan, Nirartha founded many temples and inspired the building of padmasana shrines at current sanctuaries, together with padmasana at Pura Uluwatu. It’s claimed that it was at Pura Uluwatu that Nirartha achieved his ultimate liberation from the countless cycle of rebirth, turning into one with the godhead. This singular occasion resulted in the word luhur being added to the title of the temple-luhur comes from the verb ngeluhur, which means `to go up`, a reference to the apotheosis of Nirartha. Ref: Villa Mandalay

The Temple Pura Uluwatu is built from darkish grey coral stone which is way tougher and extra durable than the volcanic tuff which is often used for many Balinese temples. This has meant that the stone sculptures and decorative parts are better preserved right here then in the case of order historic sites. It’s difficult, however, to put a precise date to the present constructions as a result of the temple had been renovated and rebuilt many instances in the course of its lengthy history. On the very starting of this century, part of the temple collapsed into the ocean which required substantial reparations, whereas the most recent restoration work was carried out within the 1980s. The three candi bentar gateways at Pura Uluwatu are uncommon in that the higher portions have been sculpted in the form of wings-the Balinese themselves refer to any such candi bentar as `winged` (bersayap).

The oldest of the three candi bentar, which leads into the central courtyard, is also incised with stylized flying birds which one scholar has recognized as a Balinese “version of the Chinese phonix“. Unique influences however, the principal motif ornamenting all three candi bentar and the kori agung gateway main into the inner sanctum, is quintessentially Balinese, particularly the top of bhoma. Some of these are surmounted by an image of Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain at the three of Hindu-Buddhist universe, while over the kori agung gateway,one finds a representation of an urn. The latter is recognized as the sacred vessel holding ambrosia (amrta), the immortal elixir of life, which in Indian mythology was extracted by the gods from the primeval ocean of milk. Lightening Strikes Solely those that have come to hope may enter the internal sanctum, but one can get a common view from a terrace on the southern facet of the central courtyard. A very powerful construction within the enclosure is a 3-tired meru which stands on the far end. This was struck by lightening a few years back- a really singular and inauspicious occasion, which may only be redressed by elaborate rites of purification and a rededication of the temple. Ref: Bali Villas