Major Road Closure Will Impact Bali Tourists’ Journeys To Uluwatu 

Share The Article

Bali tourists must be aware of a major road closure that will affect one of the island’s busiest highways next week.

From 11th to 12th May 2025, the Uluwatu Highway will be closed for traditional Balinese Hindu ceremonies. Tourists and other road users will need to find alternative routes. 

The Uluwatu Highway will be closed on Sunday, May 11th, and Monday, May 12th, so that the residents of Jimabran Village can conduct one of the most important ceremonies of the year.

The sacred procession of Masupati and Ngiring Sasuhunan Ida Bhatara Dewa Ayu Jimbaran Ceremony will be held on Sunday and Monday and thousands of people will make a pilgrimage from Ulun Swi Temple in Jimbaran, to Luhur Uluwatu Temple in Uluwatu. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Uluwatu Temple & LBS Beach (@uluwatu.temple)

The procession will be carried out on foot, with men, women, and children joining the pilgrimage. The line of devotees will reach 5-6km in length, hence why the road must be closed. The procession will start from Ulun Swi Temple in Jimbaran at 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 11th. On Monday, May 12th, the return journey will commence at 6 a.m., and devotees will walk from Pura Luhur Uluwatu back to Ulun Swi Temple. 

Speaking to reporters the Pecalang and Bakamda of Jimbaran Traditional Village have appealed to road users to avoid the main road to Uluwatu during the procession. As an alternative, the public is advised to use the Udayana University Campus (Unud) route or the Dharmawangsa Kampial Highway.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Uluwatu Temple & LBS Beach (@uluwatu.temple)

Road users have been requested to give priority to the procession and to respect the sanctity of the event so that it can run smoothly for all involved.

Tourists and road users must be aware that there are no exceptions to these rules. In an emergency, ambulance vehicles will be permitted, but drivers, whether traveling by car or by motorcycle, must obey the orders of the pecalang who are working to keep everyone safe. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Uluwatu Temple & LBS Beach (@uluwatu.temple)

The Jimbaran Village Pecalang has also apologized for the inconvenience that may arise during the event and thanked the community for understanding.

Tourists who wish to observe the procession are welcome to do so. However, spectators must be mindful not to take photos of worshippers without permission and be considerate that the procession is a form of pilgrimage and is a religious experience for those involved.

Tourists stand to the side of the procession and observe at a distance, without interfering with any of the activities, unless invited into the proceedings.

While tourists who wish to observe part of the procession are not expected to wear temple attire, modesty is appropriate to once again honor the sanctity of the occasion. 

Although part of the ceremony will be held at Pura Luhur Uluwatu, the areas of Uluwatu Temple that are open to tourists will remain open as usual throughout Sunday and Monday.

The Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple Ampitheater will be held as usual on both days. However, those traveling to Uluwatu Temple are advised to use the alternative access routes. Traffic will be congested throughout the Uluwatu area, especially on the approach to the temple. 

Tourists should leave more than enough time to travel to Uluwatu Temple this weekend and be aware that roads throughout the Bukit will feel extra busy; this includes in popular coastal retreats such as Ungasan, Kutuh and Nusa Dua.

Those departing from the Uluwatu area on Sunday and Monday and who are set to make the journey to Bali Airport are also encouraged to leave beyond the amount of travel time needed. 

Travelers in the Uluwatu area between 13th and 16th May should also be aware that Uluwatu Temple will hold a Piodalan Ceremony on these days. Though the temple and the Kecak Dance performance will remain open as usual, access to the temple area will be restricted during the ceremony.