Pura Ulun Danu Batur is one of the most important temples in Bali and stands as a guardian of the island’s water sources, agriculture, and spiritual order. Located on the highlands of Kintamani, the temple is deeply tied to the landscape of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. These natural features shape the rhythm of life for the surrounding communities and hold great significance in Balinese cosmology.
This temple is considered the second most important temple in Bali after Pura Besakih. As the center of worship for Dewi Danu, the goddess of water and rivers, Pura Ulun Danu Batur is part of the network of temples that maintain the harmony of water distribution throughout traditional farming systems across Bali. Its spiritual influence extends far beyond the villages surrounding the lake.
The temple’s presence today is the result of a long historical journey marked by volcanic eruptions, community resilience, and the deep connection between people and their natural environment. Pura Ulun Danu Batur stands not only as a sacred place of worship but also as a testimony to the way Balinese people preserve cultural identity through devotion and adaptation.
Historical Background of Pura Ulun Danu Batur
Before the twentieth century, Pura Ulun Danu Batur was located much closer to the caldera floor at the foot of Mount Batur. The original temple stood near the shores of Lake Batur for centuries and served as a central spiritual landmark for communities dependent on the lake’s water.
In 1917, Mount Batur erupted violently. Although the eruption destroyed surrounding settlements, the main shrine of the temple miraculously survived. This event strengthened the belief of local communities in the spiritual power of Dewi Danu and the sanctity of the temple.
In 1926, Mount Batur erupted again with even greater intensity. This time the lava flow buried the entire village and much of the temple complex. Only one part of the temple remained standing above the solidified lava. After this catastrophe, the community decided to relocate the temple to a safer and higher location on the caldera ridge. With great devotion, the villagers moved the surviving structure and rebuilt the temple in its present location.
This relocation marked the transformation of Pura Ulun Danu Batur into one of the most significant upland temples in Bali. Its elevated setting strengthened its symbolic connection to the mountains, lakes, and sources of water that nourish the island.
Mythology and Spiritual Meaning
The central deity worshiped at Pura Ulun Danu Batur is Dewi Danu, the goddess who governs lakes, rivers, irrigation systems, and the life force of water. In the Balinese worldview, water represents spiritual purity, balance, fertility, and the continuity of life. Worship at this temple reflects the need to maintain harmony between human activities and the natural environment.
Balinese mythology views Mount Batur and Lake Batur as the spiritual origins of water that flows through the island. The temple plays a key role in rituals supporting agriculture, including ceremonies for blessing crops, ensuring rainfall, and securing the well being of farming communities.
The presence of the caldera lake reinforces the belief that this place is a sacred axis where natural and spiritual forces meet. The temple’s elevated location is seen as a point of connection between human prayer and the realm of the divine.
The Temple Complex
Today the Pura Ulun Danu Batur complex consists of multiple courtyards, shrines, and pavilions. Many of the structures were built after the relocation in 1926 but follow traditional Balinese architectural principles. The temple design emphasizes spatial harmony, symbolic boundaries, and the orientation toward Mount Batur and Lake Batur.
Key areas of the temple include:
Jaba
The outer courtyard, used for preliminary rituals and preparation.
Jaba Tengah
The middle courtyard where many ceremonial activities are held.
Jeroan
The innermost and most sacred area with shrines dedicated to Dewi Danu and other deities.
The shrines within the temple reflect connections to mountain worship, lake guardianship, and agricultural prosperity. Ceremonial decorations often include elements symbolizing water, fertility, and purification.
Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur
Within the same spiritual network lies Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur, a temple associated with the lake itself. It plays a complementary role by serving as the site for rituals connected to water purity and ceremonies involving natural elements drawn from the lake.
The relationship between the main Pura Ulun Danu Batur on the caldera ridge and Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur near the water reflects the balance between higher and lower realms. This duality mirrors foundational Balinese concepts related to cosmology, spatial orientation, and ritual practice.
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The Surrounding Landscape
The environment around Pura Ulun Danu Batur is part of its identity. The temple sits on the rim of one of the largest volcanic calderas in Indonesia. The sweeping panorama of Mount Batur rising above the lake creates a powerful backdrop that reinforces the temple’s spiritual atmosphere.
Travelers approaching the temple from the northern or eastern side often pass through pine forests, volcanic slopes, and farmlands that reflect Kintamani’s unique climate and geology. The landscape shifts from dense vegetation to open ridges offering dramatic views of the caldera.
This setting allows visitors to understand how closely Balinese spirituality is connected to the natural world. Every element of the environment contributes to the sacred character of the temple.
Rituals and Ceremonies
Pura Ulun Danu Batur hosts numerous ceremonies throughout the year. Many of these rituals relate to water, agriculture, purification, and natural balance.
Major ceremonies include:
Odalan Pura Ulun Danu Batur
An annual festival celebrating the anniversary of the temple. It involves days of prayers, offerings, dance performances, and processions.
Rituals for agriculture
These include blessings for planting, harvesting, and irrigation flow.
Rituals connected to the lake
Water taken from Lake Batur is believed to hold spiritual purity and is used in ceremonies across Bali.
Ceremonies for natural balance
Rituals are held to harmonize human activity with environmental forces, especially those linked to the volcano.
The temple also participates in major Balinese events such as Galungan, Kuningan, Saraswati, Pagerwesi, Purnama, and Tilem. Its role in the lunar calendar system is important for sustaining cultural continuity across the island.
Connection to Other Temples in the Region
Pura Ulun Danu Batur is closely linked to other sacred sites around Mount Batur.
Pura Pucak Penulisan
One of the oldest temples in Bali, located at a high elevation. It is believed to be connected to the ancient kings of Bali. Many travelers visiting Ulun Danu Batur combine their journey with a stop at Pucak Penulisan due to its historical significance.
Pura Balingkang
Located higher in Kintamani, this temple is associated with the legend of Jayapangus and Kang Ching Wie. The historical connection between Balingkang and the larger Batur region reflects the long standing presence of Chinese influence in Bali. The widespread use of kepeng coins in rituals at Ulun Danu Batur shows how cultural connections from the past continue to shape the present.
Pura Jati
A temple near the lake that plays a role in ceremonies related to water purification.
These interconnected temples form a sacred network that supports the cultural and ecological balance of the region.
Cultural and Environmental Preservation
Due to its historical and spiritual importance, efforts are ongoing to preserve the temple and the natural environment surrounding it. Local communities play a central role in maintaining the temple and conducting ceremonies that connect modern life with ancient practice.
The caldera landscape is fragile, and environmental protection efforts aim to balance tourism, agriculture, and sacred geography. Lake Batur remains a crucial resource for water supply and spiritual activity. Protecting its purity is essential for sustaining the rituals associated with Dewi Danu.
Pura Ulun Danu Batur is more than a temple. It is a symbol of resilience, balance, and devotion. Its history traces the relationship between people and the forces of nature. Its rituals uphold the harmony of water, agriculture, and spiritual life across Bali. Its landscape tells the story of eruptions, renewal, and cultural continuity.
As a central temple in the Balinese spiritual hierarchy, Pura Ulun Danu Batur connects communities to their ancestors, to the mountains and lakes that define the region, and to the traditions that continue to shape Balinese identity. Through its ceremonies, architecture, and scenery, the temple stands as one of the most important cultural landmarks in Bali.