[3] The temple (pura in Balinese) is built at the edge (ulu) of a 70-meter-high (230 ft) cliff or rock (watu) projecting into the sea.

[3] Though a small temple is claimed to have existed earlier, the structure was significantly expanded by a Javanese sage, Empu Kuturan in the 11th century.

Dang Hyang Nirartha, another sage from East Java at the turn of the 16th century, is credited for introducing the padmasana shrines and it is said that he attained moksha here, an event called ngeluhur ("to go up") locally.

16, planning for 20 years up to 2029) decided of a 5 km radius zone, taken from the temple's outer wall, for which any construction would be prohibited other than building in connection with Hindu religious spiritual facilities.

[6] The temple is inhabited by long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), who are notorious for snatching visitors' belongings such as flip-flops, cameras and sunglasses.