Uluwatu Temple is a Hindu temple set on the cliff bank in
south part of Bali Peninsula. It is one of Sad Kahyangan Temple in Bali (six
big groups of Bali Temples), located in Pecatu Village, Sub district of South
Kuta, and Badung Regency or about 25 Km southerly part of Denpasar town. It is
situated on the coral reef sordid to sea about 80 meters above the sea level.
It is featured by a small dry forest which is mostly called by Alas Kekeran
(interdict forest) which is belong to the temple and dwelt by a lot of monkeys
and other animal. Name of Uluwatu was come from the word Ulu meaning the head
and Watu meaning stone. Therefore Uluwatu Temple mean the temple built in tip
of coral reef.
In the right and left of temple building or Pelinggih Ida
Bagus Ratu Jurit located in complex of Uluwatu Temple, there are two stone
mangers that look like a boat. When both of it are united, hence it's look
similar to sarcophagus, the famous stone from megalithic era culture. There is
archaeology omission coming from 16 centuries in firm of arch or winged
entrance gate. Winged entrance gate is one of the scarce archaeology omissions.
Winged entrance gate that is existing in Uluwatu Temple (a period of its
making) can be compared with the same one located in mosque complex in
Sendangduwur Village, Lamongan, East Java. The period of its making is relevant
with the year Candrasengkala found at this inscription. Candrasengkala founded
in the mosque is written by the wording Gunaning Salira Tirta Hayu meaning year
1483 Saka or 1561 Masehi.
If the sarcophagus that existing in Dalem Jurit complex
area represents the artifact, hence Uluwatu Temple represents the place
sanctified since era of megalithic culture (About 500 S.M). In papyrus of Usana
Bali mentioned that Mpu Kuturan (The Hindu Priest who spread out the Hinduism
in Bali) had built a lot of temple in this island and one of them Uluwatu
Temple. In papyrus of Dwijendra Tatwa has been elaborated that Mpu Kuturan had
visited this temple twice those are:
The first visit when he conducts the Tirtha Yatra (the
journey to visit the holy places). His heart had jolted and heard a soul
whisper that place good for worshiping God when arrive in Uluwatu. On that
time, he chose this place as a place for Ngeluwur (re of soul /dead leave
without body to return to the origin/moksa). Pursuant to the consideration then
he set mind to build the Parhayangan or extend the building of Uluwatu Temple
which there have previously. When Mpu Kuturan extend the building of Uluwatu
Temple, he build hostel as residence and then the ex- the hostel building is
used by the local people as a shrine named the Gong Hill Temple (Pura Bukit
Gong). The building of Parhyangan in Uluwatu Temple is done by Mpu Kuturan in
the early 16 century after he lifted to become the Purohita (priest of king
adviser) from king of Dalem Waturenggong commander in the year 1460-1552 .
Mpu Kuturan on his second visit has reached the nature
Moksa. OnTuesday of Kliwon Medangsya (Balinese Calendar), it was witnessed by a
fisherman, his name Ki Pasek Nambangan, he looked the flash with very bright
light step into the space called Ngeluwur.
Implicit at papyrus Padma Bhuwana that Uluwatu Temple
draw in the direction that is located in Southwest functioning to worship the
Rudra God, one of the god in nine god (Dewata Nawa Sanga). Rudra God is the
Deity Siwa as Pemralina or return to provenance. In this papyrus also mention
that Uluwatu Temple is the Kahyangan World worshiped by entire Hindu people.
Since this area is opened for public, it is visited by many people from all
over the world because it has beautiful panorama with spectacular sunset and
stunning view of Indian Ocean and deep the cliff bank. It is the perfect to
visit in Bali.
