Major preservation works are underway on the cliffs that support Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali’s most famous and spiritually significant temples.
Teams have completed nearly 60% of the first phase of the project, which will help ensure that cracks in the cliff do not become dangerous to the temple’s foundations and the public.
The cracks in the cliffs supporting Uluwatu Temple have been present for decades but structural engineers and environmental teams voiced concern that the cracks could increase in size if efforts to stabilize the cliff face are not implemented soon.
With work ongoing, the Head of the Water Resources (SDA) Division of the Badung Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Department, AA Rama Putra, confirmed that the service access road for the project’s heavy machinery is nearly completed.
The service road will allow plant vehicles to access the cliff face. The road will be 600m long and 6m wide and will start at the Luhur Uluwatu Temple car park and circle around the cliff face.
Putra explained to reporters how and why the service road is a necessary element of the overall project.
He explained, “The opening of this access inspection road functions as access to support the mobilization of materials for carrying out activities. Mainly, it concerns making revetments.”
He added, “There were no obstacles, Astungkara, so this inspection road will be completed at the end of September. At the beginning of October, other work can begin, such as installing armor stones.”
The project is being funded by the Badung Regency Government and is budgeted to be completed for IDR 78 billion.
As the work remains underway to secure Pura Luhur Uluwatu for generations to come, the temple complex is proving to be more popular than ever with both domestic and international visitors.
Speaking to the press, the Tourism Manager for the Outer Area of Luhur Uluwatu Temple, I Wayan Wijana, explained that record numbers of visitors are coming to explore the cultural wonder.
He explained that, on average, 3,500-4,000 tourists visit the temple during the peak season but that, recently, upwards of 4,700 people a day have been arriving.
Wijana added, “During the holiday season or high season, the number of visitors can reach 5,900 to 6,000 people per day.”
Wijana continued to explain that it is not only the temple itself that is a big draw for visitors, but the nightly kecak performance, too.
He noted that tourists from Australia, India, and across Southeast Asia are the most frequent visitors.
He said, “The Kecak show is always full from the first to the second performance. The first performance starts at 18.00 to 19.00 WITA, then continues with the second performance from 19.00 to 20.00 WITA. Every day, these two performances are always fully booked.”
Wijana continues, “At the second performance, it is usually filled with around 1,000 people. So, in one night, there were around 2,000 to 2,200 people watching the show. This proves that the Kecak Dance is still one of the attractions that is very popular with tourists.”
Bali tourists are increasingly interested in exploring Bali’s cultural gems. For decades, tourists headed to Bali for their cultural and spiritual immersion, but as Uluwatu has boomed as a tourism resort, visitors are making their way to the iconic cliffside temple.
The sunset kecak performance at the amphitheater at the Uluwatu Temple has also quickly become a must-have bucket list for first-time travelers to Bali.
The kecak perforce tells the story of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The fiery performance shows the triumph of good over evil, all set inside the magical backdrop of the sun setting over the glinting Indian Ocean.
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PaulC
Tuesday 3rd of September 2024
This is utter madness. It is being done with zero concern for the environment or the sacredness of the site. They claim it is to protect the sacred while they perform sacrilege. It is also being done with zero accountability and zero oversight. They have also destroyed one of the most iconic surf spots on earth which is also sacred to many and also a huge economic driver. This will creste economic ruin for many local people.
Rika
Thursday 29th of August 2024
I know this is a touchy subject. but there simply must have been a better alternative to this major works.
Aside from desecrating the surrounding environment, it's an obscene amount of resources being pumped into a project that in the long term will eventually fail.
Nature has her ways and way... all cultures learn that...
Exp
Wednesday 28th of August 2024
"Major preservation works are underway on the cliffs that support Pura Luhur Uluwatu."
This is obviously a futile exercise. One earthquake, lets say 6-6.5, and the cliff is gone in any case.
Way cheaper and safer to relocate the Pura on the inside and cordon off the cliff. Yes, I know the significance of the Pura at the cliff edge, but sometimes pragmatic and common sense approach is required to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.