Luhur Uluwatu temple ceremonies

Uluwatu Temple, also known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu, is one of Bali’s most significant Hindu temples, believed to protect the island from evil sea spirits. As one of the Sad Kahyangan, or the six most important temples in Bali, its sacred nature draws locals and visitors alike to partake in and witness the religious ceremonies held here. The ceremonies are deeply intertwined with Balinese Hinduism, where offerings are made to maintain harmony between the divine, the human world, and the environment. The temple’s clifftop location overlooking the Indian Ocean adds an aura of spiritual tranquility, making it a perfect setting for traditional rituals and offerings. Rituals at Uluwatu Temple not only honor the deities but also express reverence for the forces of nature that the Balinese believe sustain their existence.

Ceremonies at Uluwatu Temple are colorful and elaborate, showcasing the unique cultural heritage of Bali. These ceremonies involve offerings, prayers, and communal gatherings where both worshippers and temple priests are dressed in traditional attire. The spiritual focus is directed towards divine spirits as well as ancestors, and ceremonies often aim to cleanse both individuals and the community. Festivals like Piodalan, the temple’s anniversary celebration, are particularly significant, marked by extensive offerings, dances, and prayers. The temple grounds become alive with processions of people carrying colorful offerings and incense, embodying the deep devotion of the Balinese people.

Key Rituals and Offerings

Offerings, or canang sari, play a vital role in Uluwatu’s ceremonies. These small, handwoven baskets are filled with flowers, food, and incense, symbolizing gratitude towards the gods. Worshippers meticulously place them throughout the temple, and they are an essential part of all rituals held here. Another important aspect of temple ceremonies is Tirta, or holy water, which is used for purification. During certain ceremonies, worshippers are sprinkled with this water by the temple priests, signifying spiritual cleansing and blessings.

At times, the temple hosts larger ceremonial events like Melasti, a purification ritual usually held before major holidays like Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence). During Melasti, devotees make their way to the ocean, carrying sacred temple objects to cleanse them in the sea. As Uluwatu is perched above the ocean, it becomes an ideal site for this ritual, merging the spiritual significance of the sea with the temple’s protective role against evil spirits. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below blends harmoniously with the chants and prayers, reinforcing the connection between nature and spirituality.

Cultural Performance and the Kecak Dance

In addition to traditional religious ceremonies, Uluwatu Temple is also famed for its evening Kecak dance performance. While not a religious ritual, the dance is often part of the temple’s cultural events and enhances the spiritual atmosphere. The Kecak dance reenacts the epic Ramayana story, where a large group of performers, seated in a circle, chant in unison while the tale of Prince Rama and his battle against the evil King Ravana unfolds. The backdrop of Uluwatu’s breathtaking sunset and ocean views adds an unforgettable element to this unique experience.

This dance, although widely performed for tourists, retains its deep cultural roots. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, a concept that aligns well with the temple’s own spiritual purpose. While it may not be an official ceremony, it brings an extra layer of cultural richness to the temple, providing visitors with a vivid glimpse of Bali’s rich performing arts traditions. The performance usually takes place after the ceremonial activities of the day, adding a harmonious close to the spiritual and cultural experience at Uluwatu Temple.

Luhur Uluwatu Temple Tour

private tour

extra information

During your tour to Luhur Uluwatu Temple, your safety and convenience come first. Our vehicles are comfortable, air conditioned and we offer many extras to make your tour perfect. During our tours we provide sarongs for the visit to the temples and we have water bottles available. Our drivers are experienced and know Bali like the back of their hand.

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Learn more about Balinese temples.

Luhur Uluwatu Temple Tour location

Luhur Uluwatu Temple is located in Pecatu Village, Kuta South District of Badung, Bali

Luhur Uluwatu Temple Tour

Temple tour

dresscode & etiquette

Bali is known for its many beautiful temples. Most tourists will therefore visit various temples in Bali. The beauty of visiting the temples is the combination of culture, history and the beautiful sculptures and architecture. Each temple is more beautiful than the next, with impressive designs and beautiful details.

When visiting the temples, it is good to follow local etiquette. An important part of this is the dress code. A number of general rules apply to the dress code of the temples.

dresscode bali temples

Make sure your shoulders are covered and preferably wear long-sleeved clothing
For example, a loose-fitting blouse with long sleeves, or a scarf around your shoulders and arms (selendang). It is not allowed to wear spaghetti strap clothes and sleeveless tops when entering a temple. In addition, a low cleavage is also not done. The clothing should not be translucent and should not have holes.

Make sure your knees are covered
Sarong or clothing that covers the knees. In many temples a sarong is mandatory, which you can often rent at the entrance. It is not allowed to wear shorts, short skirts, leggings, denim and sportswear. Again, the clothing must not be translucent and must not contain any holes.

Dressing advice for temple visits for women
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved top and/or a scarf that neatly covers your shoulders and arms. When a sarong is not required, you can wear a maxi dress or jumpsuit, for example – as long as you make sure your shoulders are covered and the clothing is not revealing.

Dressing advice for temple visits for men
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved shirt. For men, the shoulders and legs must also be covered up to at least the knees. Where a sarong is not obligatory, a neat shirt that covers the knees will suffice in combination with a neat shirt that covers the shoulders.

Footwear
Sandals or closed shoes are sometimes allowed, but you may also be asked to enter the temple barefoot. As you will notice, the footwear is also often taken off when entering shops and homes.

Accessories
It is not proper to wear a hat and sunglasses when entering a temple. Turn it off as soon as you enter the temple.

etiquette bali temples

Other Bali Temple etiquettes
The Balinese temples are very sacred places for the local people and so it is important to respect their rules. In addition to the dress code, there are a number of important things when entering these sacred temples:

Taking pictures
It is allowed to take pictures at most temples, however it is not appreciated if you take pictures directly in front of or near the worshippers. When the Balinese are engaged in a ceremony, an appropriate distance is appreciated. Drones are not welcome.

Offerings
In many places in Bali, including at the temples, small offerings (canang sari) are placed. Much attention is paid to these offerings and they are very important to the Balinese Hindu community. You will also see that the offerings are made by Balinese in the traditional attire. You are not supposed to step on these sacrifices or walk over them. Make sure to walk around the offerings at a decent distance.

Menstruating
Something that is also important in the Balinese Hindu culture is that a woman who is menstruating is not allowed to enter a temple. Of course this is not easy to control, but if you want to respect the Balinese culture, women who are menstruating should not enter the temple.

Feet
Feet are considered unclean in the Balinese Hindu community. Therefore, according to the culture, it is important that the feet do not point to the altar and are not held high in the air.

Respect the Balinese culture
The Balinese temples are very important and are used extensively for ceremonies and prayers. Give space to the locals and make sure you don’t cause a nuisance. Show respect, don’t swear, do not enter areas closed to tourists and do not make noise in these sacred places. General matters as they apply worldwide in holy places include: not standing/climbing/sitting on the religious monuments, not disturbing the ceremonies and avoiding expressions of affection (kissing etc)