Beautiful lakeside Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, which was built around 1634 CE, is one of the most important places of worship for Balinese Hindus. It honors Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, and ceremonies take place here to ensure a sufficient supply of water in the subak system for the island’s rice farmers.
Images of the temple – with its striking merus, formally landscaped garden and stunning backdrop mountain reflected in the still water of the lake – have become iconic of Bali (depicted also on the 50,000Rp note), and the temple attracts busloads of tourists every day. While it remains a functioning temple, tourism here is big business, so expect souvenir stalls lining the parking area, cash machines, a children’s playground and lakeside restaurants.
