Ulun Danu Batur Temple, Guide To Explore Kintamani

Facing the sacred Mount Batur and the biggest crater lake Batur. Ulun Danu Batur Temple is one of the prominent temples for Balinese besides Besakih. If Besakih temple is the entrance trekking point to the highest Mount Agung. Ulun Danu is not that far from Mount Batur, which is known for its magical sunrise.

Just like Besakih, Ulun Danu Batur is never short of local devotees. However, tourists might never hear the temple’s name. And instead wrongly identify it as Ulun Danu Beratan, the water temple in Bedugul.

Since the temple location is in the highland of Kintamani. Expect to sense a cold breeze of fresh mountain air. What’s more, the temple is not that far from the famous lake Batur. And the best part is it’s not far from the famous hot spring pool with an infinite lake view.

Ulun Danu Batur Temple Entrance Fee

International tourists will have to pay Rp35.000 for the entrance fee on weekdays. Just like other temple sites in Bali, guests will have to wear a sarong to cover both knees. Beware that the hawker will aggressively try to sell sarong and sometimes at a high price. Bring one to avoid any inconvenience. Unlike most temples in Bali, visitors might be charge Rp50,000 for sarong rental instead of free.

See: Getting To Batur Natural Hot Spring, Spa & Pools. 

Ulun Danu Batur Temple Opening Hours

The temple is open every day except in Nyepi. Annual celebrations and festivity happen between March to April. Unlike other temples in south Bali, Ulun Danu Batur is situated on the slope of a mountain. So the weather is pleasant all the time, despite coming at noon.

See : Mount Batur Sunrise, Trekking Route & Guide.

Village Vibe

Forget the traffic that only happens in Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu. The heat and line of hectic shopping malls. Because none of it is here. Kintamani is pretty much like an old world. The locals are mainly a farmer. Most, grow vegetables and fruit. While the other is farming freshwater fish in lake Batur.

So far there is just a few cafe and restaurant with a rustic and modern vibe in the area. The rest, on both sides of the road, is farming land. Passerby could see durian trees, cloves, vegetables even red peppers when passing the main road in Kintamani.

The 17th Century Temple

Originally built during the 17th century, the Ulun Danu Batur temple used to lie right on the slope of Mount Batur. The temple once is the center of civilization of the ancient Batur society. And even more, it has witnessed several devastations from the Mount Batur eruption in the past.

The eruption in 1917 is the first disaster event among people living around the temple. It has brought misfortunes to many villages living on the slope of the mountain. However, despite the tragedy, the lava did not destroy the entire area. The lava end at the gates of the temple. And did not damage a single thing inside the temple.

The remaining survivor at that time prefers not to relocate to another area. Instead, they still choose to stay not too far from the temple. So back then, the area around Ulun Danu Batur temple is densely overpopulated.

1926 Eruption

After 9 years, comes another earthquake in 1926. But this time, the lava caused fatal damage to the entire village. It causes lots of casualties and immediately all activities in the villages have to stop. The 1926 eruption result in damages too for the temple.

The catastrophe finally forces them, the people to relocate to another area. What’s remaining in the temple is being relocated to the new place. The spot where Ulun Danu Batur temple now lies.

Ulun Danu Batur Main Temple

Penataran Agung Batur is the main temple in Ulun Danu Batur. With a total of five courtyards, an 11-tiered shrine stands in the middle. The three 9-tiered represent Mount Batur, Mount Abang, and Ida Batara Dalem Waturenggong. Ida Batara is the beloved king of the Gelgel dynasty.

The other temples are Penataran Jati, Tirta Bungkah, and Taman Sari located in the second yard. While the remaining, Tirta Mas Mampeh, Sampian Wangi, Gunarali, Padang Sila, and Tuluk Biyu are situated in the last yard.

The main temple, Penataran Agung is nothing similar to the other temple. Especially during the celebration month. At an annual festival, the main one will be decorated with a red Chinese ornament. A bursting color that adds more vibrancy to the whole festivity.

However, the main temple is the most sacred one. Anyone except pilgrims can’t enter the temple area. But tourists are welcome to look around and explore the other temple complex.

The Sacred Mount Batur View

The iconic panorama of this site is, of course, Mount Batur. The active volcano is located right behind the temple. And is the second biggest volcano in Bali after Mount Agung. Visitors or pilgrims could see clearly the shape of the mountain from the temple complex.

Even better, spare 1 day and spend a night on the slope of Mount Batur. Accommodation option is plenty, some even come with a hot spring pool. Seeing sunrise or not, Mount Batur offers more than just a sunrise vista. After 2 hours of trekking, besides sunrise, the lake Batur landscape from the top is magnificent.

See: Gate of Heaven, Lempuyang Temple Complete Guide.

Lake Batur & Boat Ride

Hot spring pool and small waterpark overlooking the lake view. What’s not perfect about it? Lake Batur which is inside the caldera is one of the top destinations one should not miss. To make it even more interesting, Trunyan village is just right across the lake.

Inhabit by Bali Aga, the mountain Balinese. The people in Trunyan are different from other Balinese when it comes to taking care of the death. If most Balinese cremate the body of their loved one. In Trunyan village, they leave the dead body in the cemetery in the open air to decay.

And surprisingly, with the dead body in the open air, it does not smell. Thanks to the ancient tree. To get here, tourists should ride a boat from the lake.

See: Prepaid SIM Card for Tourists, Price & Provider.

Facilities

Basic facilities like parking spaces are available at the premises. Paid toilets Rp2.000 are available across the temple. Please note that the toilet is not clean at all. There is no tissue so bring one. Just across the temple, small food vendors and souvenir shops are plenty.

Small cafes overlooking lake Batur are just within a walking distance of the temple. Menu range from snack to Asian and Western dish. The price range is quite standard. Main dishes range from Rp35.000 to Rp60.000.

See: Guide To Lake Batur & Top Activities.

How To Get To Ulun Danu Batur Temple

There is now public transportation DAMRI bus that stops at the temple. It departs from Bali Airport and for now, there is only one departure at 8 AM. Compare to car rental, the bus fare is cheap Rp35.000 for a one-way trip. But passengers need to be early at least half an hour before the departure time.

There are now 2 lines of DAMRI buses in Bali Airport. The first line is going to Amed. The second one head up to North Bali, Singaraja. To get to Ulun Danu Batur temple, pick Airport to Singaraja line. The bus will stop at several tourist destinations including Monkey forest Ubud. Before heading to the temple and reaching its final destination, Singaraja.

However due to the pandemic situation, where there are fewer passengers. The Damri bus to Singaraja has stopped operating temporarily.

See: All About Bali Airport Guide & Airport Transfer.

Address & Location

Ulun Danu Batur Temple is located at Jl. Raya Kintamani, Batur Sel, Kintamani, Bangli, Bali 80652.