Pura Luhur Ulu Watu

High above an 80 m (260 ft) high cliff falling sheer down to the sea, near the village of Pecatu, is the temple of Pura Luhur Ulu Watu. It is reached on a road which branches off the Jalan Bypass (round Denpasar) and runs south-west. It is 4 km (21/2 mi.) from Pecatu to the site.

The temple ranks as one of the most important on Bali and has the status of a royal temple (Sadkahyangan). Dedicated to the goddess Rudra (one of the manifestations of Shiva), it is oriented towards the sea. Its most notable features are the richly decorated gates, which, like the other structures of the temple, are built of coralline limestone.

From the entrance to the temple precincts there is a superb view of the sea and, at high tide,