With limited time at our hands in Bali we wanted to use it optimally. What best could we do if we wanted to see a dance performance. Our guide of the tour took us to Uluwatu Temple.

Uluwatu temple

Uluwatu Temple is in Bukit Peninsula in Southernmost part of Bali, Indonesia. A sage from East Java is claimed to have attained moksha here. He constructed the temple.

Scenery at Uluwatu

It was a breathtaking view as I reached the venue of dance at Uluwatu Temple. There was a cliff against which waves were splashing and creating a beautiful scene. The time was of sunset. Multiple waves were reaching the shore. The view was such that I could spend hours sitting there gazing at nature’s beauty. Colour of sea was so nice.

But we were rushing as Kecak Ramayana & Fire Dance was about to start. So, we missed our time to appreciate this precious creation by God.

When we reached the venue, the dance had already started. There were  men sitting in circles wearing a black and white check sarong.

They were chanting cha cha cha. This cha cha cha was sung in various ways and tones. Sometimes it was so rigorous and sometimes it was calm. But the tone of the cha cha cha used to explain everything very nicely about the scene.

The dance that we saw was as per me another version of Ramlila that happens in India.

In the dance , there were characters – Rama, Sita, Laksmana, Hanoman ( as Balinese call), Sugriwa, Rhawana, Garuda. Balinese call Srilanka as Alengka.

The story depicted how Sita was attracted to golden deer and pursuaded  Rama to get deer for her. After Rama went after the deer and killed it, Sita heard a noise calling her. Sita forced Laksmana to go and check out for Rama. At the back, Rhawana tried to enter their hut but due to magical circle, he was not able to enter it. Then Rhawana disguised as Bhagwana played a trick to trap Sita to which she fell prey. Rhawana took Sits to Alengka. Finally, war between Rama and Rhawana happened which was won by Rama

All dancers that played character roles did a fantastic job as per me. Since I was able to understand scenes through their dance poses. This was a mind blowing dance.

I highly recommend it. Whenever you are visiting Bali, this dance is a must must to see. If you don’t watch it, you surely will miss something. Highly recommended.

Nidhi KM

©Viharin.com

Disclaimer: The trip to Indonesia was sponsored by Indonesia Tourism Board. The article is totally my experience and opinions are unbiased