Pura Ulun Danu Batur is one of the most important temples in Bali, set high on the rim of the Kintamani caldera in the north-east of the island. It is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of the lake, and since water from Lake Batur feeds much of central Bali, the temple holds a central place in the island’s traditional water and irrigation system. The complex is large and formal, with tiered shrines, carved split gates and a nine-tier meru tower above the main courtyard. From the rim it looks out over the caldera and the volcano that shaped the whole region.
The lake goddess and Bali’s water
The temple honours Dewi Danu, who is linked to the lake and the flow of water down from the highlands. In Balinese tradition the sharing of water between farming communities is coordinated through a network of temples and priests, and Pura Ulun Danu Batur sits near the top of that system. This role explains why the temple is treated with such importance across the island. Ceremonies here connect the highland caldera to the rice terraces far below.
A temple moved to the rim
The present temple stands at Kalanganyar on the caldera rim because it was moved there after the 1926 eruption of Mount Batur. Lava from that eruption reached the older temple site lower down, near the lake, and the community rebuilt the complex on higher, safer ground. What you see now is a large courtyard temple in the cool highland air, the volcano and caldera behind it. The nine-tier tower and the detailed stonework reward an unhurried walk through the courtyards.
Visiting respectfully
This is an active place of worship, so a sarong is required and can usually be hired at the entrance. Modest cover for the shoulders is expected, and visitors should keep to the edges if a ceremony is under way. Mornings in the dry season, from April to October, give the clearest weather before cloud settles over the caldera. Around 1 to 1.5 hours is enough to see the main shrines at a calm pace.
How to visit
Pura Ulun Danu Batur sits on the rim of the Kintamani region, a short drive from the Penelokan viewpoint along the same caldera edge. Many visitors pair the temple with the viewpoint and a descent to the lake below. For more ideas across the highlands, see our guide to things to do in Kintamani.
