PURA LUHUR ULUWATU
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Temple dedicated to the sea gods at Uluwatu, a sacred site forming part of the island's six main and directional temples.
One of the island's six main and directional temples, it is dedicated to the gods of the sea. Before entering the precincts, it is compulsory to tie a sarong around the waist. The temple was built in the 11th century by Mpu Kutura, a Javanese priest influential in Balinese religion. The sacred site was then restored and redesigned according to other religious parameters by Dang Hyang Nirartha, a second high priest who came from Java to found the sacerdotal principles of Balinese-Javanese religion. He is believed to have attained mosksa, or "nirvana", which frees the soul and prevents it from returning to Earth. He also created other important temples by the sea, such as Pura Tanah Lot, Pura Sakenan and Rambut Siwi. According to Balinese accounts, he passed away at Pura Luhur Uluwatu to attain moksa.
Inside the temple - the part reserved for the faithful - a sculpture in the arch of a bhoma (son of the forest) protects the sanctuary. In the middle, three doors are majestically decorated with phoenix wings. On full-moon nights, the place exudes a powerful aura, further enhanced by the foam-crested swell that breaks below with a tremendous crash.
Beware: there are plenty of monkeys on the sacred site. They'll steal anything they can get their hands on, and only return it in exchange for fruit or other delicacies. They're not aggressive, but you mustn't leave anything lying around if you don't want to be surprised by a macaque.
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