Ulun Danu Batur Temple in Kintamani, Central Bali, is an important Balinese Hindu temple. It is also known for short as’ Pura Batur’ or’ Batur Temple.’ After the Besakih Temple complex in Karangasem, the temple is the second most significant mountain temple. Ulun Danu Batur sits on the south-west edge of Mount Batur’s vast caldera. In its complex there are around nine majestic temples.
The final site of the temple complex was established in 1926. This happened after moving from the original location at the foot of the volcano. In 1917 and 1921 lava flows damaged the former site during Batur’s eruptions. Ulun Danu Batur should not be confused with Ulun Danu Beratan, the famous Temple of the Lake in Bedugul.
Ulun Danu Batur Temple: The Highlights
The temple of Batur is approximately 900 meters above sea level. It faces west with Mount Batur’s black lava-covered peak behind it. Batur’s Ulun Danu isn’t a temple of the lake. But it mainly honors Lake Batur’s goddess Dewi Danu. She is revered as the goddess of lakes and rivers by agrarian communities. Dewi Danu is thought to bless fertility on the island, too.
The various shrines you can see in the complex honors a variety of deities. Many aspects of Balinese agricultural life are covered. These include agriculture, arts, carpentry, pilgrimage and much more.
One of the most special shrines is decorated with red Chinese decorations and ornaments. It is devoted to Kang Cing Wie, legendary Chinese Queen of the historic King Sri Jaya Pangus.
Every Purnama Kedasa is the anniversary of Batur temple. This is called the “tenth full moon” on the Balinese Pawukon calendar of the 210 day cycle.
You can also enjoy a magnificent panorama of Mount Batur and its caldera lake from the main temple courtyards. The Pura Penataran Agung Batu temple, especially in the west, offers excellent views. The temple complex of Ulun Danu Batur itself is the same path leading to the highlands of Kintamani. You can enjoy sweeping views from here over the wide range of Batur.
Ulun Danu Batur Temple: The Legend
The goddess who rules the water supply is known as Dewi Ulun Danu. In the 11th century, Sri Jaya Pangus reigned as king. He has been living with Dewi Danu (wife) and Maya Denawa (son). He was visited by high priest Rim and woman apprentice Kan Ten Wi from China to Bali. Two people agreed to live in Bali with the king. Time passes, the king’s seat was transferred to Maya Denawa.
Maya Denawa believed in Buddha Hinayana, however. Buddha Hinayana explains that Buddhism is a bad doctrine and Jaya Pangus, who knew it was afraid that Maya Denawa was disordered by society and Maya Denawa was banned.
Maya Denawa banished and went to the southern side to build his castle. And he believed in the Hinayana Buddha. Maya Denawa’s power was expanded every year and finally the territory of Jaya Bangus was deprived. By this one anxiety Dewi Danu died of sickness. Jaya Pangus subsequently remarried Kan Ten Wi, a woman apprentice who loved him secretly.
Three people (Jaya Pangus, Kan Ten Wi, High Priest Rim) moved to Batur Mountain, where they lived to be chased. Kan wasn’t blessed with the baby, however. “I want you to build a temple on this ground. Kan asked Jaya Pangus.
And I want you to build together Buddha’s shrine. “And, Jaya Pangus built Pura Ulun Danu Batur. Originally at the foot of Mount Batur, in the south, this temple was because it is on the northeast side that the temple was holy in front of the village. It received great damage from Batur Mountain due to a large eruption. Lava did not go to the temple. The building was nevertheless buried by the volcanic ash.
The villagers decided to move this temple from Lake Batur to a current location in 1926. And villagers got the co – operation of the government of the Netherlands Colony and moved together the temple and the village.