Pura Ulun Danau Bratan

Pura Ulun Danau Bratan on the shores of Lake Bratan is one of Bali’s kayangan jagat (directional temples) and protects Bali from evil spirits from the NW. For tourists visiting Bali, Pura Ulun Danau Bratan is a convenient temple to visit and a pleasant place for a rest stop.

Located 2 hours north of Kuta, Pura Ulun Danau Bratan in the Bedugul area, a common directional indicator used by locals when referring to the area of the 3 western mountain lakes.

Pura Ulun Danau Bratan was built in 1633 by the raja of Mengwi on the western shore of lake Bratan. The Balinese people rely on their rice harvest and the Goddess of water / fertility, Dewi Danu is the deity who is honored here.

The temple itself sits in well manicured gardens and attracts local and foreign visitors. The 2 obvious part of the temple are the structures set on land and the ones set on a point, extending into the lake.
The temples grounds have an assortment of structures including the multi-tiered meru. These pagoda-shaped shrines which are found in almost every Balinese temple, are named after Mt. Meru, a sacred Hindu peak, considered the home of the Gods. The importance of the God being worshiped is indicated by the number of roofs, which is always an odd number, with a maximum of 13.

The part of the temple that gets all the attention is the 11 roof meru, followed by a 3 roofed meru, situated on a point of land, jutting out into the lake. The larger meru is dedicated to Wisnu and Dewi Danu. The smaller meru contains a lingum (phallus), very much a part of temple architecture in India. This temple is dedicated to Siwa (the Destroyer). Visitors are allowed to photograph the shrines from the shore, but are not allowed to visit them directly.

The temple on the shore, Pura Teratai Bang has its own 7-tier meru dedicated to Brahma (the Creator). You will often see parties of Balinese worshipers inside this temple, taking blessings. Similarly, you are asked to stay outside the inner courtyard, but it is possible to look over the wall and get good photos.

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