Pura Dalem Puri Peliatan
- Shannon
- Dec 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Royal Temple of the Underworld
Steeped in both devotion and dark mystique, Pura Dalem Puri Peliatan is a significant Balinese Hindu temple complex dedicated to deities associated with death, purification and spiritual renewal. Roughly translating to the “Temple of the Royal Death” or the “Underworld of Peliatan,” it serves as a cultural hub for rituals and funerary rites and is particularly connected to the royal family of the village. Traditionally, Dalem temples are devoted to the dead and ancestral spirits, acting as sacred sites where the living commune with the unseen world of the dead. This connection imbues Peliatan’s temple with a quiet yet intense aura, where the line between the corporeal and the supernatural is remarkably thin.
Historical records for Pura Dalem Puri Peliatan are sparse and not formally documented but local tradition and architectural context suggest the temple dates back to the 14th century, around the time the Peliatan village was developing under the influence of early Balinese royalty. Its age is inferred from other nearby historical buildings and temples that share similar construction styles and cultural significance. Over the centuries, it has witnessed shifting tides of political power, local conflicts and the darker currents of Balinese ritual life, becoming a repository of both spiritual and historical memory. Today, the temple is particularly dedicated to Rangda, the feared queen of demons in Balinese mythology, often depicted as a fierce, untamed spirit who embodies chaos, protection and the power to ward off evil forces.
Architecturally, the temple follows the classical Balinese split-gate style with a noticeably somber emphasis. The entrance, flanked by statues of fierce guardian figures, prepares visitors for the spiritual gravity within. Inside, the inner courtyard houses shrines dedicated to Shiva in his fierce form as Bhairava and to the ancestral spirits of the Peliatan royal line. Black thatched meru shrines rise sharply above the sacred spaces, while intricate carvings of demons and protective spirits adorn walls and gateways, a constant reminder of the unseen powers that inhabit the temple.
Dark folklore surrounds the temple. Locals speak of spirit guardians that roam the grounds at night to protect its sanctity. Tales tell of shadowy figures moving through the sacred spaces in the pre dawn hours, interpreted as ancestral spirits performing unseen rituals. The temple is closely linked to the Ngaben Dalem, the royal cremation ceremonies of Peliatan’s nobility. These rites are elaborate and highly symbolic, involving the preparation of intricately decorated sarcophagi, processions through the village and offerings to both ancestral spirits and protective deities. The cremation fires are believed to release the soul from the earthly realm, while priests chant sacred mantras and perform purification rituals to guide it safely to the afterlife. During these ceremonies, the temple is transformed into a focal point of spiritual energy, where the living and the dead coexist in a delicate, ritualized interaction, reinforcing Peliatan’s reputation as a sacred threshold between worlds.
The temple holds a dual significance:,it is both a sacred place of worship and a focal point of Ubud’s darker spiritual narratives. While Balinese Hinduism celebrates life through joyful temple ceremonies, Dalem Puri Peliatan reminds worshippers of death’s inevitability and the importance of honouring ancestral powers. Certain shrines remain cloistered, accessible only to priests or royal descendants, preserving the sanctity of the spirits that dwell within.
Its location in Peliatan village reflects deliberate spiritual placement. In Balinese cosmology, Dalem temples are typically positioned to the south, symbolising the realm of death and the underworld, complementing temples in other directions that represent life and prosperity. Though not inside the royal palace, Pura Dalem Puri Peliatan maintains a close historical and ceremonial connection to the royal family, reinforcing the balance between the living community and the ancestral spirits they honour.
Even today, Pura Dalem Puri Peliatan draws worshippers, artists and cultural historians alike. Its mysterious aura and centuries old presence evoke both reverence and intrigue, embodying the darker threads of Balinese mythology - Rangda, Bhairava, ancestral spirits and mortality-focused rituals, while remaining an active, functional temple. In its shadowed corners and quiet courtyards, the chants and whispers of centuries past seem to linger, reminding visitors that in Peliatan, the spiritual and spectral coexist in a delicate, timeless dance.
🗺️ Location
Jalan Sukma Kesuma, Tebesaya Village, Ubud District, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
🚆 How to get there
Pura Dalem Peliatan is located approximately 800 metres from Ubud Palace. A go-jek scooter costs around 25,000 IDR and takes about 4 minutes to reach. If you can't be bothered with the traffic, it is an 11 minute walk. Head east along Jalan Raya Ubud and turn right onto Jalan Sukma Kesuma. The temple sits just up the small hill on the left hand side. The approach is marked by guardian statues at the entrance.
⭐ Attraction Info
The Pura Dalem is open daily with no set hours, although access may be limited if ceremonies or private functions are taking place, visitors will need to try their luck. Entry is free, though voluntary donations are appreciated to help maintain the temple. Modest dress is required, with shoulders and knees covered and the use of a sarong is mandatory, so be sure to bring your own. Most visits take around 30 minutes to explore the grounds. Nearby, visitors can explore other cultural and spiritual sites, including the Peliatan Royal Palace, the traditional art markets and temples such as Pura Gunung Lebah, offering a deeper insight into Ubud’s royal heritage and Balinese spiritual traditions. It is much quieter than the popular and nearby Pura Dalem Ubud, so you may find yourself here alone.
