What You Need to Know about Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance in Bali: A Comprehensive Guide

Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia and the Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance are two great activities that should be a part of any visit to this incredible Indonesian island.

The Uluwatu Temple (also known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu) is one of the six key temples believed to be Bali’s spiritual pillars. It is regarded as one of the important religious sites on the island. The temple site is situated on a clifftop overlooking the Indian Ocean in southern Bali, about 70 km from Denpasar.

The Kecak Fire Dance is an hour-long Balinese performance that combines traditional dance and chanting. A usual performance involves up to 150 male dancers seated in a circle, chanting the “cak” and “chak” syllables, typically dressed in checked cloth and black-and-white checked headscarves. The centerpiece is a dramatic story based on the Hindu epic, Ramayana, where Lord Rama tries to save his wife Sita from an evil king.

Both of these activities make for an unforgettable experience if you are visiting Bali, so if you are keen to explore these gems of Balinese culture, here is all you need to know about the Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance.

What Is the Uluwatu Temple?

The Uluwatu Temple is a 9th century Hindu temple located in Badung Regency, on the southwest coast of Bali. Its full name is Pura Luhur Uluwatu, literally meaning “temple on top of Rock”. It is situated 247 feet above sea level and offers stunning views of the ocean.

The temple is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the supreme God in Hinduism, whose name literally translates as “God of All”. Inside the temple complex are several shrines and sculptured wall panels depicting scenes from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. In addition to being a magical place of worship, it is also a popular tourist destination with thousands of visitors every day.

Visiting Uluwatu Temple involves following a strict code of respect as it is still an active religious site. Visitors are required to dress modestly, no revealing clothes are allowed. Shoes must also be removed before entering the temple itself and can be stored in special storage racks provided at the entrance.

Kecak Fire Dance

The Kecak Fire Dance is an ancient Balinese dance that has been performed since 1930. It is part of the Balinese Hindu rituals, so it has religious significance in addition to its artistic value as a performance art. The performance usually takes place close to sunset, and is set in a ring made up of dozens of men chanting in a circular formation.

The dance is based on a story from the Hindu epic Ramayana which tells the story of how Lord Rama rescues his wife Sita from the evil king. As the story is told through music and dance, the fire dancers move in a straight rhythm to add drama to the performance, with each “cak” or “chak” syllable representing a wave of motion. Kecak involves about 150 dancers rolling their arms like waves as they chant and create ear-piercing sounds with their mouths and throats. Despite looking stunning from afar, the image up close is quite eerie!

How Do You Get There?

Getting to Uluwatu Temple is quite easy. It is located near Jimbaran Beach in south-west Bali, and many visitors combine a visit to both places in one trip. The closest airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), which is about 18 miles (30km) away from the temple.

There are several ways to get to Uluwatu Temple from the airport by public transport like taxi or Grab (which is similar to Uber). The estimated fare from DPS airport to Uluwatu Temple .Shops close to Keong temple sell souvenirs as well such as woodcarvings, carvings made from cowrie shells, paintings, T-shirts and bags at reasonable prices.

What Is the Cost?

The cost of visiting Uluwatu Temple and enjoying both activities varies depending on your budget and the time you’re visiting the area – the entry fee can be anything between IDR 95 000 – IDR 230 000. The best way to save money is to book a package deal through tour operators like GetYourGuide which offer a number of different packages with incredible discounts to experience both activities including round-trip transportation from Denpasar or Kuta areas as well as entrance fees.

What To See and Do at Uluwatu Temple?

Before or after your visit of Uluwatu Temple, there are plenty of things to do in this area! Here are some great options:

• Visit Jimbaran Beach – Jimbaran Beach in South Bali is famous for its stunning panoramic views with two temples situated within reach – Pura Dasa Kesariya and Pura Sri Padharama.
• Listen to traditional music – at a nearby veranda where locals often perform old Balinese songs.
• Enjoy some seafood – Jimbaran also has plenty of restaurants serving freshly cooked seafood such as lobster, prawns and fish satay.
• Go shopping – shops close to Keong temple sell souvenirs such as woodcarvings, carvings made from cowrie shells, paintings, T-shirts and bags at reasonable prices.
• See a Kecak Fire Dance Performance – performances usually happen in the evening and no two performances are ever same so it’s definitely worth adding on your list.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an incredible experience when visiting Bali then heading to Uluwatu Temple and catching a spectacular Kecak Fire Dance performance should definitely be on your list! Not only will you experience an incredible cultural show but the views around will have you awestruck! To make your visit even more memorable check out effortless tours with GetYourGuide that combine your transport with entrance fees and other activities such as watching a traditional Balinese show or sampling local delicacies!