Uluwatu temple struck by lightning

Uluwatu temple struck by lightning

DENPASAR, Bali: Despite being equipped with a lightning amulet, a holy three-story structure in the Luhur Uluwatu temple in the southern peninsula of Bali Island was struck by lightning during recent heavy downpours.

One of the nine pillars in the northeastern wing of the structure was charred in the incident.

It was the second incident after lightning devastated a number of holy structures in the Luhur Uluwatu temple on October 24, 1996.

The destroyed buildings were later rebuilt with lightning rods installed there. After the renovation, community leaders and local people held a series of major religious ceremonies in 1997 to pray for the prevention of more disasters.

I Gusti Ngurah Oka Winaya, a leader of the temple, said on Thursday that Hindu followers would perform a special Guru Piduka and Bendu Piduka ritual service to apologize for the latest lightning strike. --Antara