Description
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, or Pura Bratan, is a major Hindu Shaivite temple in Bali. The temple complex is on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul. In Bali, Hindu temples are known as pura, being designed as open-air places of worship in walled compounds. The shrines are known as merus and are square structures with brick bases and multiple pagoda-style thatched roofs; the number of roofs reflects the status of the deity, and is always an odd number. The temple complex consists of five various shrines dedicated to other Hindu gods as well. Built in 1633, the temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. The 11-storey pelinggih meru in the complex is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvathi. Buddha's statue is also enshrined in this temple. Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, Bedugul, Bali, Indonesia, Asia.