Uluwatu temple, Bali

Pura Luhur Uluwatu or Uluwatu is a temple on top of cliff near the village of Pecatu in Kuta district.

It is one of Sad Kahyangan. To provide spiritual balance to Bali, there are six main temples or places of Gods. Sad comes from the word "Sash" meaning six in Sanskrit, "Kahyangan" means places of God.

It is also Pura Segara or the ocean temples built by the side of ocean to appease the gods of ocean.

The temple is built on the edge of 70 meter cliff facing Indian Ocean. Ulu(edge), watu(cliff), so temple on the edge of cliff.

This temple also worships Dang Hyang Nirartha, a holy priest who came to Bali in 1550 and attained moksha or enlightnment here.

Standing in front of temple

Rudra or Shiva is the main deity worshipped here. He is the one who can control gods of wind and ocean.

Every person visiting this temple has to be appropriately dressed and wear a sash around their waists.

Kechak:

Kechak is a dance very typical to Bali. It portrays the story of legendary Ramayana where Hanuman helps Rama free Sita from Ravana.

There are many places to see this dance form. The duration is one hour and starts usually at the dusk time. There is no music or any musical instruments involved. The only accompaniment is by a group of around 100-150 males chanting "chak-chak-chak". I am sure it must be very strenuous and have seen most of them sweating.

Rama and Sita together

Ravana coming to abduct Sita

abduction of Sita

In the above scene, Ravana abducts Sita and takes her to Lanka

Jatayu makes an entry

Here, Jatayu tries to help Sita when Ravana is taking here away.

Hanuman in Ashoka Vatika

Hanumana goes to meet Sita in Ashoka Vatika where she is kept in Lanka

Hanuman shows Rama's ring to Sita and she is convinced that he is here to help her

The scene depicts Hanuman puts Lanka on fire

Ravana is tired of Hanumana pranks so he asks to put his tail on fire as he says that monkeys always like their tails. Hanumana jumps from one roof top to another putting Lanka on fire

after the dance, Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman

If, you are able to understand the legend, then it helps a lot in the sequence of events. Overall, it was a very nice experience.