Mount Batur

Mount Batur and its surrounding temples form one of Bali’s most fascinating sacred landscapes. Centered around an active volcano and the vast caldera lake of Danau Batur, the region is shaped by cycles of eruption, renewal, and human adaptation. For centuries, communities here have lived in close relationship with powerful geological forces, developing a spiritual system that explains, negotiates, and harmonizes these natural dynamics. The temples of Mount Batur are the architectural expression of this relationship.

At the heart of this sacred network stands Dewi Danu, the revered lake goddess and protector of water, fertility, and agricultural prosperity. As the source of Bali’s major irrigation systems, Lake Batur is considered the island’s spiritual “water reservoir,” and its temples—especially Pura Ulun Danu Batur—play a central role in maintaining the subak water temples and agricultural cycles across large regions of Bali. Rituals carried out here are believed to stabilize the unpredictable energies of the volcano, ensure abundant water for the rice fields, and maintain harmony between the human world and the divine forces of nature.

Pura Ulun Danu Batur

— Sanctuary of the Lake Goddess on the Caldera Edge —

Sitting on the rim of Mount Batur’s enormous outer caldera, this sacred site is where Bali’s spiritual heart beats in sync with its volcanic landscape. It may not be ancient, but after two eruptions nearly wiped it out, the temple was rebuilt, rising from the ashes with even more purpose. More…

Pura Tuluk Biyu Batur

— A Place of Interfaith Worship —

Pura Tuluk Biyu is a Hindu temple near South Batur in Kintamani, Bangli, known for its ancient stone statues and archaeological value. In the inner courtyard, a Chinese-style pavilion is dedicated to a Chinese princess who lived in Bali in the 12th century. More…

Pura Puncak Penulisan

— The Oldest and Highest Temple of Bali —

Pura Gunung Puncak Penulisan is one of those rare places where you can literally climb through layers of history. Perched dramatically at 1,745 meters above sea level in Bali’s Kintamani region, this temple isn’t just high in altitude; it’s also high in cultural significance. It’s supposed to be Bali’s oldest temple, offering historical treasure in a spectacular mountain setting. More…

Pura Dalem Baliankang

— At the other side of Mount Batur —

Another half an hour ride further north from Kintamani, Pura Dalem Baliankang is as hidden as it is important for many Balinese. Next to the spacious main temple there is also a special Confucian shrine, commemorating a Chinese princess. More…

Pura Hulundanu Batur and Pura Tirta Hulundanu in Songan

— Lakeshore Temples at Corner of the Batur Lake —

Pura Hulundanu Batur in Songan and the small, but beautiful Pura Tirta Hulundanu next to it are not to mix up with the even more significant Pura Ulun Danu Batur in Kintamani, Batur’s most important temple (see above). They are devoted to Dewi Danu, too, and they form a dual sanctuary at the end of Lake Batur’s western shore. Here you can read more…

Pura Jati and Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur

— Lakeshore Temples at the Side of Batur Lake —

Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur is a floating marvel, anchored on volcanic stones right next to lakeshore Pura Jati. It’s a place where Balinese hydro-engineering, myth, and devotion all come together—proof that here, the sacre and the practical really do float side by side. More…

Pura Pancering Jagat

— Hidden And Unspectacular, but Ancient and Special —

Pura Pancering Jagat, also called Pura Da Tonta in Trunyan is an unspectacular temple at a spectacular spot, with roots reaching back over a thousand years. Tucked away on the eastern shore of Lake Batur, this temple is the spiritual anchor for the local Bali Aga people, the island’s original inhabitants who keep traditions alive that predate even Hindu Bali. More…

Bayung Gede village

— Ancestral Echoes in the Highlands of Bali —

Famed for its traditional structure and customs, connection to Penglipuran village and a special tradition concerning placentas after birth, Bayung Gede is a village with ancient traditions on the slopes of Mount Batur. More…

Summary

You can see here how Mount Batur’s temples form an interconnected spiritual ecosystem around the goddess Dewi Danu, balancing volcanic risks with water management through sacred architecture, community organization and ritual practices.