Farmers of central and south Bali, which cultivate the lion share of the rice fields in the island of Bali only need to glance up to clouds which hanging around Mount Batur to be reminded of the ultimate origin of the water that flow into their fields and become the lifeline of agriculture in central and south Bali. Yes, in the crater of Mount Batur, stretching over 1,718 hectares is Lake Batur, an immense fresh water lake that is regarded as the ultimate source of water for rivers and springs that provide irrigation water for central and south Bali.

Lake Batur is regarded as the abode of Dewi Danu (goddess of the lake) which controls all the water that flow from this lake hence all the water that flow into the rice fields in central and south Bali. Since the rice fields are greatly depends on flow of water from the lake, the farmers of central and south Bali has a strong relationship with the goddess of the lake, spiritually all the rice fields which draw their water from the lake are belong to the goddess of the lake. This relationship is succinctly defined in a sacred manuscript known as Rajapurana Ulun Danu Batur, which is kept in the temple of the lake, “Because the goddess makes the water flow, those who do not follow her laws may not posses her rice fields”.

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Batur Temple or commonly called Ulun Danu Temple is situated at 900 meters above level of Kalanganyar Batur village Kintamani District on the eastern side of the main road leading to Denpasar or Singaraja via Bangli.

The temple faced west ward where Mount Batur and remains of its solidified black lavas serve as backdrop and Lake Batur stretches far down the slope, enhanced the beauty of nature around the temple.

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April 10 – 25, 2006
Desa Adat Batur Kecamatan Kintamani

Pura Ulun Danu Batur’s odalan is on full moon April 12, 2006 (Purnama Kedasa); it uses lunar calendar instead Wuku (cycle of 210 days). The ceremony has already started on April 10, 2006 and will end April 25. There are almost every where in Bali odalan on this auspicious day including Bhatara Turun Kabeh in Mother Temple Besakih.

If you drive to Singaraja through Batur/Kintamani then you, for sure, find traffic jam. It is a pack; people all over Bali come to pray. It is not only prayer but also villages near by Batur also take a part – Sebatu, Beyunggede and Buahan.

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