Pura Ulun Danu Batur, Bali

Pura Ulun Danu Batur


Pura Ulun Danu Batur is the second most sacred temple in Bali after Besakih. It is an irrigation temple dedicated to Dewi Batari Ulun Danu, the goddess of lakes and rivers. The name Pura Ulun Danu Batur means "Temple at the head of Lake Batur".

Pura Ulun Danu Batur was originally located by the lakeside of Lake Batur. It was sited beside the Batur village. When Gunung Batur erupted in 1917, the temple was miraculously saved when the lava flow halted just short of the temple walls. However, the gods were not that merciful in the subsequent blast of 1926, when both the village and the temple were destroyed.

After that eruption, the village and temple relocated to a new site on the highest and oldest rim of the caldera. This is where the temple is located since.

Today the temple complex of Pura Ulun Danu Batur comprises nine groups of temples totalling some 285 shrines and pavilions dedicated to various Balinese gods and goddesses of irrigation, agriculture, springs, and so on.

The principal temple at Pura Ulun Danu Batur is Pura Penataran Agung Batur. It has the tallest meru shrine rising eleven tiers from the inner courtyard. This shrine is dedicated to the lake goddess. Also within the courtyard are three 9-tier meru shrines dedicated to the god of Gunung Batur, Gunung Abang and Ida Batara Dalem Waturenggong, the deified king of the Gelgel dynasty who reigned from 1460 to 1550.

Also within the inner courtyard is a shrine dedicated to the patron saint of trades and administrator of the gods, Ida Ratu Ayu Subandar. The shrine is built with elements of Chinese architecture, reflecting the tradition where the king would appoint an administrator or harbor master, who is usually a Chinese, to be in charged of his valuables.

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