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Pura Ulun Danu on Lake Beratan

(The Temple on the Lake)

The Pura Ulun Danu temple, which is dedicated to Dewi Danu, is one of the most important in Bali, as it sits at the headwaters for the irrigation system that run down and feed the sawah (rice fields) below it.

It is also one of the most picturesque of the Balinese temples, which has beautifully manicured gardens reflected in the surrounding lake, and the mountains rising majestically behind the lake itself.

It was built as late as 1633, and has an 11-Tiered Meru temple dedicated to Śiva and Parvathi. The temple stands at around 1,200m above sea level on the NW bank of Lake Beratan, near Betugul, and has four main temples: to Śiva, Viṣṇu, Brahmā and to Dewi Danu.

Outside the main complex stands a Buddhist stūpa, for which see below.

The temple is also featured on one edition of the 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah Banknote.

The Buddhist Stūpa

The Buddhist Stūpa stands just outside the main Hindu temple complex. As far as I can find out it is not an old or historical building, but has probably been built in the last century, perhaps as a good will gesture.

The Stūpa has four Dhyāna Buddhas at the four quarters and a fifth Buddha above one of the four. It is much overgrown with moss, which makes it look older than it is.