The spectacularly located Pura Luhur Uluwatu, on the westernmost tip of the rocky Bukit Peninsula, is one of the sad kahyangan, or `six great sanctuaries` on the island of Bali. The temple is dedicated to the supreme godhead, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, in his manifestation as Rudra, the dissolver of life. Violent storms or other cataclysmic interventions of nature such as plagues or volcanic eruptions are said to be Sanghyang Widhi acting in his capacity as Rudra and the location of Pura Uluwatu serves him well. Historical Associations Pura Uluwatu is said to have been founded by the Sivaite priest and sage, Mpu Kuturan, who came to Bali from Java in the early years of the 11th century. Though his teachings seemed to have incorporated many Buddhist elements, Mpu Kuturan is said to have been responsible for a revival of Hinduism in Bali at a time when the religion was in decline. Pura Uluwatu is also associated with the legendary Nirartha who is credited with being the principal architect of a 16th century Hindu Renaissance in Bali around the time of the collapse of the Majapahit dynasty in East Java. Like Mpu Kuturan, Nirartha founded many temples and encouraged the building of padmasana shrines at existing sanctuaries, including padmasana at Pura Uluwatu. It is claimed that it was at Pura Uluwatu that Nirartha achieved his final liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth, becoming one with the godhead. This singular event resulted in the word luhur being added to the name of the temple-luhur comes from the verb ngeluhur, meaning `to go up`, a reference to the apotheosis of Nirartha.