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Luhur
Uluwatu Temple
Most Wanted Temple : Tourists
Luhur Uluwatu Temple
is one of six great sanctuaries (Sad Kahyangan)
in Bali that becomes a worshiping place
of Hindu devotees. Situated some 42 km south
of Denpasar, at Pecatu Village, South Kuta.
There
are two opinions about the existence of
temple mentioned above. One mentions that
this temple was founded by Empu Kuturan
during the administration of Marakata (ninth
century). Other opinion states that, this
temple is inseparable with the history of
Dang Hyang Nirartha—who is also named
Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh from East Java—constituting
a holy priest that spread Hinduism and attained
moksha (release of the soul When entering
this temple, visitors should step over some
high steps. The Indonesian Ocean with its
terrifying and deep waves surrounds the
temple. World surfers like these waves best
and to the west, you can see a spectacular
sea view, especially at sunset.
Pengempon (preserver) of Luhur Uluwatu temple
is the inhabitants of Pecatu Village, while
its pengemong (guarantor) is Jero Kuta on
Jalan Dr. Sutomo, Denpasar. Two temple priests
from Pecatu are assigned to be in charge
at the temple everyday.
This temple is hedged by tropical forest
along with hundreds of grey monkeys, but
unfortunately, most of the monkeys are mischievous
and like to ‘steal’ belongings
of the tourists. So do its plants, they
look dry and lack maintenance. Tourist amenities
like toilet is eminently mucky and its construction
seem to be old-fashioned, so many tourists
complain. Pathways where we walk are scattered
with dry leaves, as though nobody cares.
However several months ago, after Hotel
Melia Bali Sol became foster parent of Uluwatu
tourist object, everything is well arranged
and came to be appealing, both object location
and its service. Mischievous monkeys have
been specially handled with care, so most
of these four-legged animals turned tame.
Now, while feeding those monkeys we can
listen to warbles of yellow-vented bulbul,
magpie robin, spotted dove, black-winged
starling and other birds. “Four months
ago, we appointed special attendants to
tame those monkeys,” said Made Leper,
Group Chief of Uluwatu Tourist Awareness
while admitting that their group fed those
monkeys three times a day. The food consists
of banana, tomato, cucumber and cassava
that are worth IDR 100,000 per day.
Five star and five plus-rated hotel that
achieved Golden Trophy of Tri Hita Karana
Tourism Awards 2004, at the same time, achieved
emerald trophy of the same category, seemed
no half-heartedly to make Uluwatu tourist
object into being worth visiting by tourists.
Two of three toilet facilities have been
conjured up into new ones. In one unit facility
is built two booths, for ladies and gents.
And, within a toilet booth is set up a squatting
and sitting closet of high quality.
Cleanliness of the toilet is also maintained
so his party should appoint three special
stewards. More than that, those stewards
are also given intensive training by Melia
Bali so they can provide service maximally.
“Previously, tourists frequently complained
about the dirty toilet facilities. For that
reason, we are as the operator of this object
abundantly thankful to the care of Melia
Bali that founded toilet of international
standard,” he said while adding that
toilets are available at three location
in the vicinity of Uluwatu, namely 2 toilets
at parking area and another at temple complex.
Other than its nature, entertainment is
also well organized. While luxuriating in
sunset, tourists are also presented with
the attraction of Kecak Dance. Its performance
lasts from 18:00 to 19:00 Local Time or
when the sun sets in the West. The venue
is located outside temple area, so it does
not make the holiness and sacredness of
the temple impure. Entrance fee for this
entertainment is merely IDR 50,000.
This art troupe is supported by 83 dancers
consisting of members of Uluwatu Tourist
Awareness group. Everyday, the kecak dancers
sell for a living around the temple area.
They each will get IDR 10,000 of the ticket
price above. “This Kecak Dance package
is very useful for helping the economy of
local inhabitants,” said Made Leper,
Group Chief of Uluwatu Tourist Awareness.
To maintain this tourist object, Made Leper
said that he employed the members of his
group numbering 9 persons in charge at the
post of entrance ticket sale, 8 as cleaning
service, 4 as monkey tamers, 25 local tour
guides, 3 as toilet stewards and 60 others
belonging to the vendor group.
Uluwatu tourist object is visited by a large
number of domestic tourists during June-July,
while in August-December is the turn of
European and Australian tourists. In the
meantime, for Asian tourists, they are mostly
from Japan. “Having carried out the
arrangement and this tourist attraction,
tourist visit increased,” he added.(BTN/Budarsana)
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