Uluwatu, a simply not-to-miss

“Ooo la la, a breathtaking sight to behold”, I exclaim in glee (of course I wasn’t jumping up and down but rather in a quiet manner). My husband was stunned to be perched up on the cliff while being slapped by the breeze on the brink of the azure hued Indian Ocean. A sense of serenity surrounded us for a moment. There was silence followed by a reluctance to leave the place.

This was how I felt when I first got there at Uluwatu temple which is known for its spectacular shrine, amazing beach as surfing site and fabulous scenery of the cliff at the edge directly overlooking into the sea. It was not only a splendor at first glance but with a sacred aura encircling around us, it was totally epic.  Also the panoramic view of the God’s miracles is felt here. I stood in the plateau in sheer silence with my eyes gazing wide into the horizon with shades of turquoise skyline and white clouds floating around while sounds of the whirling waves that slam the rocks entertain my senses from the 250 feet below me. There was a calming effect to see the waves retreating into the ocean by leaving behind the little traces of white bubbles disappearing after awhile. A surge of serenity was felt within me for a moment. I think my husband felt the same as his glance was fixated on the beautiful endless ocean for a long time. Beyond doubt, this place would be every photographer’s desired spot for their portfolios. 

It was a bright sunny day as we made our way to the steep valley on the west of Pecatu village of Kuta district towards the Uluwatu shrine stands majestically at an altitude of 1997 meters above sea level on a stone bridge jutting into the glistening blue sea on the southwestern tip of Bali Island. A spectacular vista in which the temple hangs right over the edge. The sacred abode is made up of black coral and ancient rock formation marvels any tourist at a first glance. The walkway just before we reach the temple is quite scary due to the nuisance of the monkeys along the route. According to our tour guide, the monkeys are attracted to snatch away spectacles or sunglasses, handbags, hats and anything else they can get their hands on. I decided to keep away my sunglass but still cling into my handbag. Ha-ha. It was believed that the monkeys are guarding the temple. I was feeling slightly panicky but with my husband by my side and the Madhey; it was not so bad after all. By the way, the monkeys were huge and quite aggressive looking!

 Soon after, we were welcome by Ganesha statues flanking the arched gateway. Every temple we visited, there was rather unique architecture of the temple structure, the walls, or even the statues. It can be an intricate carving of the building or the art of the Bali’s mythological menageries; it just screams for exclusive work of art that is worth mentioning. On the other hand, I was more fascinated by the ambiance which of my interest. An astounding sunset that one should not miss, the cool breeze, or even the beauty of the natural landscape, it just gets to the bottom of my heart.     

So what’s so special about this temple? I was curious to know. According to Madhey, Uluwatu is one of the oldest shrines in Bali which is deemed to guard Bali from the sea spirits which was found along the coast of Bali. Back in 11^th century, this temple was established as a place of worship by a holy priest named Empu Kuturan who disseminated the teachings of indigenous village with all the rules. The famous Javanese priest Nirartha (the one founded the Tanah Lot temple) who end his journey at Uluwatu for his final days where he attained Moksha (freedom from earthly desires) while meditating. Hence, this place was deemed to be sacred by the kings in the past. The temple's revered custodians, along with hundreds of nobles, devotees, and priests conduct a festival every seven months that celebrates the importance of Uluwatu temple to the whole of Bali with elegant rituals meant to bless all residents of and visitors to Uluwatu temple and town. 

One of the Hindu teachings encompasses the life after death. It is believed that the life after death have diverged into two facet; heaven and hell. Heaven or Sorgham is promise of goodness while on the other hand; hell is a gateway to anguish. One cannot embrace themselves into Sorgham unless they have completed their duties and fulfilled their religious attainments by attaining liberation from earthly desires called Moksha. Moksha is also believed to be body sublimation by disappearing from the world without leaving their physical body. This could possibly explain how Nirartha disappearance episode in Bali could have taken place.  

Between the relaxing walk above, and savoring the tranquility of the shrine, Uluwatu is a place that encourages relaxation, contemplation, and the enjoyment of life's simple pleasures. Beautiful views and nature's wonders are nowhere more prevalent than here, in enchanting Uluwatu.