Uluwatu Temple is one of the temples located at the southern tip of Bali Island perched on the edge of a cliff. The position of the temple at the end of this rock has a beautiful view, especially at sunset. Enjoying a sun set in Uluwatu is one of the activities of tourists on vacation to Bali and is often included in Uluwatu Sunset tour packages.

Uluwatu Temple was used and the place to worship the holy priest named Empu Kuturan who came in the 11th century. He was the one who promoted the customary village and all of the rules. The temple was also used by the next holy priest Dang Hyang Nirartha who came to Bali in 1550 and ending his spiritual journey by uniting with God or Moksa or Ngeluhur in the temple. Then, it was taken to add the name of the temple and become Luhur Uluwatu Temple.

Besides having a beautiful view of seeing the sea from the height of a rock, there are also tropical forests around Uluwatu Temple which add to the beautiful scenery. This forest is inhabited by a group of monkeys. These monkeys thrive and live around the forest and of course if you visit Uluwatu Temple you will see monkeys which according to the Balinese people are very sanctified and prohibited from being disturbed or killed. These monkeys are sometimes nosy as they pickpocket visitors' items such as glasses, jewelry, cellphones and others. An announcement has been installed at the ticketing booth where visitors are advised to keep these items to avoid being picked up by monkeys.

Administratively, Uluwatu Temple belongs to the village of Unggasan, South Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali Province. The distance from Denpasar International airport is approximately 30 kms or about 45 minutes from the tourist areas of Kuta, Legian or Nusa Dua. The road conditions to the Uluwatu area are very good and well maintained. If you want to visit Uluwatu, you can rent a car with a driver or rent a self-driving car. Road directions and traffic signs to Uluwatu are well installed. Coming on holiday to the island of Bali without visiting Uluwatu Temple feels incomplete and perfect.

The Kecak Fire Dance is one of Bali's most iconic art performances, famous for its dominant use of human vocals in place of gamelan instruments to accompany the dance-drama at its core. Your visit to the island won't be complete without seeing a show, and the best place to do so is at the cliff-top amphitheatre located just south of the Uluwatu Temple on Bali's southern Bukit peninsula and at sunset for added drama. Usually, the Kecak Fire Dance show is included as part of the package if you booked a common tour to the temple, and which perfectly serves as a closing highlight to your day out in Bali's south peninsula area. However, you can go just for the show and purchase tickets at the amphitheatre's ticket booth. During the holiday season, we have to come to Uluwatu ealier as many tourists come to this temple only to see this magical dance performance and tickets are sold in minutes. The ticket will be included pamphlets containing the synopsis of the drama.

Description: Tourist are antusiast to watch Kecak Dance perfomance at Uluwatu using rainy coat

Good thing to note is that the whole Uluwatu site is home to a hoard of grey long-tailed macaques, which are known for being swift and cunning pickpockets. Therefore, go 'low profile' with no loose jewellery or clothing when visiting the temple or going on your way to the show, and particularly keep your camera in its bag until you enter the amphitheatre. This open area has tiered concrete seating surrounding its sunken centre piece stage, and the ocean view beyond is breath-taking. At around 18:00, sunset time, the Kecak Fire Dance show starts. The troupe of around 75 male dancers descend onto the stage with extended arms and shaking hands up in the air while chanting their fast-paced, 'chak!' choruses repetitively. The prelude opens the five episodes taken from the Ramayana epic, as dancers in elaborate costumes artistically re-enact the tale with slower or faster tempos provided by the troupe complementing a scene of romance or suspense.

The Kecak Fire Dance synopsis goes that Sri Rama, the prince of the Ayodya kingdom was sent into exile by his father King Dasaratha following an evil trick by his stepmother Kaikeyi. Deep in a monkey forest (which fits in perfectly with Uluwatu's setting), Rama is accompanied by his wife Sita and loyal younger brother Laksamana. The evil Rahwana, who had a crush on Sita, knew of this, and set out to kidnap her. The rescuing effort by the two brothers ensues with help from the monkey king Hanoman and his monkey troops. Rahwana eventually subdued, the two lovers are finally reunited right after the setting sun. The fire torches in the stage's centre flicker against the darkened sky and the echoing chants subside.