Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
expanded
museum
here offers a decent introduction to local geology and there are two very
important
temples
, too. As you head north, the villages of Batur and Kintmani merge in a
seamless spread of stalls and shops; the former was moved here from the crater beneath after
it was obliterated in the 1926 eruption. They're low-key affairs after the hustle of Penelokan,
with a handy budget accommodation option,
Miranda
, and a colourful morning market in
Kintimani. Incidentally, bear in mind that you're at about 1400m above sea level up here, so
nights are
chilly
- you might be glad of a sweater even in the daytime, especially if the mist
descends.
Museum Gunungapi Batur
Jl Raya Penelokan, on Bangli road, just south of the junction with the crater-rim road • Tues-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat
& Sun 8am-2pm • Rp10,000 • 0366 51152
To provide background knowledge and help understand the views, the
Museum Gunungapi
Batur
(Batur Volcano Museum) does a decent job of summarizing the history, mythology
and geology of Batur, with scale models that show the changing face of the local topography,
along with informative computer animations on volcano systems and an exhibit on the Pacif-
ic's “Ring of Fire”. It was in the process of moving to larger adjacent premises at the time of
research - new whizz-bang exhibits were promised.
Pura Ulun Danu Batur
South Kintimani • Daily dawn-dusk • Rp30,000 including sarong rental
The second most important temple on Bali after Besakih,
Pura Ulun Danu Batur
honours
Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu
(Dewi Danu for short), the goddess of the crater lake who is
believed to control water for the irrigation systems throughout Bali. Her influential represent-
ative on earth is the temple's high priest, the Jero Gde, who is appointed on the death of his
predecessor by a virgin priestess in a trance. He plays a vital role within Bali's sophisticated
subak
irrigation system and farmers consult him about plans and conflicts - his word is final.
Given its status and that it is one of the highly venerated
kayangan jagat
, or directional
temples, which protects Bali from the north, it's surprising to learn that this temple is relat-
ively new. It was relocated from the crater to its present position on the Kintimani-Penelokan
border after the 1926 eruption (see
Eruptions at Gunung Batur
). The most significant of its
countless shrines is the
eleven-roofed meru
in the inner courtyard, dedicated to both the god-
dess of the lake and the god of Gunung Agung. The drum in the
kulkul
tower is beaten 45
times each morning to honour the 45 deities worshipped in the temple.
There have been reports of aggressive guides who insist you buy a sarong and sash for up to
Rp250,000 before entering. One word: don't.
Pura Puncak Penulisan
Penulisan (where road descends to coast) • Daily dawn-dusk • Donation sometimes requested for admission
