Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is a major Hindu Shaivite temple in Bali, Indonesia. The temple complex is on the shores of Lake Beratan in the mountains near Bedugul.
The water from the lake serves the entire region in the outflow area; downstream there are many smaller water temples that are specific to each irrigation association (subak).
In Bali, Hindu temples are known as “Pura”, being designed as open-air places of worship in walled compounds.
The compound walls have a series of intricately decorated gates without doors for the devotee to enter. The design and plan of the holy pura follows a square layout.
(Photo by : Mikhail Nilov)
Built in 1633, the temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali.
The 11-storey “Pelinggih Meru” in the complex is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvathi. Buddha’s statue is also enshrined in this temple.
This temple is also called the “Bali temple on the Lake” because it looks as if it is floating when the Bratan River rises.
