- Price: USD 35 / IDR 500.000
- Private Air-Conditioned Car
- 6 Participants/Car
- English Speaking Driver
- 2 Places to Go
- Duration ± 6 Hours
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple, or Pura LuhurUluwatu, is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 metres above the waves. As one of the 6 key temples considered to be Bali’s ‘spiritual pillars’, Uluwatu also shares the splendid sunset backdrops as that of Tanah Lot Temple, another important sea temple that graces the island’s western coast.
Pura LuhurUluwatu is definitely one of the top places in Bali for witnessing a delightful sunset, with direct views overlooking the beautiful waves of the Indian Ocean and daily Kecak dance performances held at an amphitheatre nearby. Balinese architecture, traditionally-designed gateways, and ancient sculptures all add to Uluwatu Temple’s appeal.
Kecak and Fire Dance
The Kecak dance is performed by more than a dozen dancers; in fact, it might contain the most dancers on stage at any one time of all of Bali’s famous dances. The choir group consists of 50 or more male dancers who perform very basic routines. The main dancers, who play the most significant roles and perform countless dance routines, typically include around 10 to 15 dancers.
The dance narrates the story of Asia’s most famous epic, Ramayana. Although originally from India this story has since spread to every corner of Asia, in particular, South East Asia through the same channel as Hindu and Buddhist teachings. In Bali, the Ramayana story has become part of the cultural life and religious and moral teachings since the Hindu teachings came to the island around 100 BC.
The sun was still far above the horizon when I arrived at the venue, around 10 minutes before the performance began. I could still see the clear blue sky meeting the glistening ocean from my seat. At 6pm, a group of male performers, neatly wrapped in black and white checkered garments, came onto stage singing, “cak…cak…cakcakcakcak…cak…” before sitting, cross-legged in a circle. Some liken the noise they make to the sound of a group of monkeys, while others claim it is just a sound that is produced to scare enemies.
