More than 20,000 temples are scattered all over the island of Bali. All these temples are linked one and another create hundreds of temple networks based on the function of the temple and the clan of their congregation (network of clan temple). Each network has a central temple from which the network starts. The central temples can be everywhere; they are not localized in one area.

The function based temple networks involves only functional temples, or temple of professions, such as Melanting temple (temple of the trader), Ulun Suwi or Ulun Carik Temple – Ulun Suwi temple is an irrigation temple that belong to a subak (traditional water management group), and Banuan temple (dry fields temple).

Pura Melanting, Pulaki - Singaraja

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Conservation
1. The protection of natural environment.
2. The act of preventing something from being lost, wasted, damaged, or destroyed.
Those are the definition of conservation offered by my Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary. From the definitions above at least I can get a little idea of ‘conservation’ in English speaking country.

In Balinese culture the idea of ‘conservation’ equivalent to the idea of ‘kerti’ which means ‘order,’ ‘peace’ and ‘prosperity.’ How come? Let see how they connect each other. In the context of conservation the idea of ‘kerti’ is explained by expounding six kinds of ‘kerti,’ known as ‘sad kerti.’ They are Atma Kerti (soul), Samudra Kerti (ocean), Wana Kerti (forest), Danu Kerti (lake), Jagat Kerti (world), Jana Kerti (individual). Instead of ‘order,’ ‘peace’ and ‘prosperity,’ at this point, the word ‘kerti’ means ‘effort to achieve the prosperity of ….’

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Formerly, before it is in its present location Batur Temple is located on the north eastern slope of Mount Batur – village called Songan since the devastating eruption in 1917 which destroyed everything, including the temple it self. Then initiated by the head of the village along with other prominent figures, they brought the surviving shrines with them and rebuilt Batur Temple to the higher place at Kalanganyar or its present location.

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Friends,

I happened to be in Batur two days ago where the Baris Gede troupes were rehearsing for the Purnama Kedasa festival happening next week. According to the dancers (and schedules can always change so be prepared for the unexpected), the ritual dances (Baris Dadap was the one I saw being rehearsed, a very poignant and slow Baris done by six dancers carrying a small half-canoe like object with spurs on one end; they were singing from a Kidung as well) will be done around 3 pm on:

April 10
April 12 (purnama/full moon)
April 13

It was lovely to see the younger generation seriously studying this simple and elegant dances.

As this is an odalan, full temple clothing is de rigeur.