About a good 30 to 40-minute drive from the city centre is the Sea Temple of Uluwatu. 'Ulu' meaning top and 'watu' meaning rock aptly describes this beautiful temple located right on the edge of the cliff facing Uluwatu Beach on the mighty Indian Ocean.
According to popular belief, the Uluwatu temple is the place where the powers of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Siva, the destroyer come together and merge. The ensuing deity of Siva Rudra is worshipped here.
The riveting Kecak Fire Dance in Uluwatu Temple Bali will be the highlight of your sojourn. It takes place at around 6 p.m. every day. I don't have enough words to describe the energy and electrifying atmosphere this dance creates. No stage settings, no audio systems, no artificial lighting, no announcements, and no formal seating!
Just pure, raw energy against the backdrop of the setting sun in the ocean....
There are 3 things to keep in mind while visiting the Uluwatu Temple,
One, the dress code.
This temple is considered one of the spiritual pillars of Balinese Hinduism and a strict code of conduct is followed in the precincts of the temple. No foreigners are allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Everyone is expected to dress modestly; a sarong is provided at the entrance itself. Visitors tie it around their waists, whether it's mandatory or optional, we honestly couldn't figure it out. We just did the same. While in Rome, do as the Romans do! Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved in going around the entire temple complex including a lot of steps.
Two, the temple is home to hundreds of monkeys. They live there and look quite happy in their habitat. So, visitors need to watch out for being nabbed by monkeys for their bags and sunglasses. We were extra careful with our belongings while on the temple premises.
And three is of course the Kecak fire dance. It starts at 6, so plan the temple visit accordingly, keeping ample time to get to the dance venue on time.
There is no fixed time for coming to see the dance, though.
I saw visitors walking in even halfway through the show, but I wouldn't want to miss the entire performance for anything!
The dance performance takes place in an open-air amphitheatre in the temple complex. Tourists start thronging that area and start occupying seats a little before 6 pm.
They sit everywhere, on the steps, on the ground, on railings, every inch of space gets taken. And then the performance starts...and it's pure magic!
The energy, the crowd, the vibe and the performance itself against the setting sun are magical...
Kecak dance is an artistic and symbolic representation of the story of Ramayana. It's essentially the time-tested tale of the victory of good over evil. The performers, representing characters from the Ramayana, don elaborate colourful costumes and enter the arena to play out their roles.
A holy fire is lit in the centre and the dancers, all men, bare-chested, clad only in checkered loin cloths sit in a circle around the fire. They start chanting 'Chak Chak Chaka' in total sync, move their hands and sway their bodies in rhythm.
The audience is left in rapture by the pure energy generated by the performers. There is a lot of interaction with the audience as well when the mischievous 'Hanuman', the monkey God enters the scene.
The entire performance lasts for about an hour and it plays out in the foreground of the setting Sun casting its luminous glow on the amphitheatre.
The outcome is magical.
Photo opportunity with the performers at the end of the show is the icing on the cake!
Kecak Dance is performed at many places in Bali in the evening. In Uluwatu Temple complex, you can buy combined tickets to the temple premises and the dance performance.
Please check the official website of the temple before your visit for any changes in timings and information at https://www.uluwatubali.com/.
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