Luhur Batukaru, Padma Bhuwana Temple, Place for Worship of God Mahadewa

Pura Luhur Batukaru is located in the western part of the island of Bali, precisely on the slopes of Mount Batukaru in the village of Wongaya Gede, Penebel District, Tabanan Regency.

Pura Luhur Batukaru, which was founded by Mpu Kuturan in the 11th century. Pura Luhur Batukaru is a place of worship dedicated to worship the God Mahadeva. Because to glorify God who is responsible for growth. Therefore, Pura Luhur Batukaru is called as a place of reverence to God as Ratu Hyang Tumuwuh, which is the name for God as the creator of growth. God is considered the source that connects water and land, thus creating a force that supports the growth of vegetation. This plant will develop well, with green leaves that contain chlorophyll as a substance that is essential for survival. The worship of God at Pura Luhur Batukaru is supposed to be a means to strengthen the spiritual aspect and raise the spirit in maintaining the fertility of the soil and water sources in earnest. 

In the book Babad Buleleng, in 1605 ad told that the Kingdom of Buleleng led by a king named Ki Gusti Ngurah Panji Sakti wanted to expand its territory to the area of Tabanan. At the time of Ki Panji Sakti headed to Tabanan met with Batukaru area which is the area of the Kingdom of Tabanan. Ki Panji Sakti ordered his soldiers to destroy Pura Luhur Batukaru, suddenly thousands of vicious Wasps came to attack and sting them. A very fierce wasp attacked Ki Panji Sakti and his troops violently, so that finally Ki Panji Sakti and his troops were forced to resign and stop their plans to attack the Kingdom of Tabanan. As a result of the actions of Ki Panji Sakti and his troops, the sacred building of Pura Luhur Batukaru suffered severe damage and only ruins remained.

Then in 1959 Pura Luhur Batukaru got improvements and in 1977 the government gradually paid attention to the construction of the temple so that the condition of Pura Luhur Batukaru was getting better. Pura Luhur Batukaru is in addition to the main building, on the east side there is also a spring which consists of two parts, namely the part located in the temple (jeroan) which is used specifically to invoke holy water (tirtha) for ceremonial purposes and the second part is for bathing and washing the face as self-cleaning before performing prayers.

Lake at Pura Luhur Batukaru (Source: Personal Collection)

Around Pura Luhur Batukaru there is a lake around which there is a fountain which is believed by the surrounding community that the water coming out of the shower is holy water. This water is believed to be used to cleanse one's body and soul before doing praying to God. And praying at the Pelinggih spring is a sign of spiritual and physical purification (skala and niskala) so that when doing worship someone can perform a holy and clean worship, both physically and mentally. Beautiful atmosphere, melodious birds chirping, natural sounds, and feel the tranquility and peace around the area of Pura Luhur Batukaru.

Piodaran ceremony at Pura Luhur Batukaru is held every 210 days, on Thursday Wuku Dungulan (Balinese calendar), one day after Galungan. A distinctive feature of Pura Luhur Batukaru is that the ceremony is only led by a stakeholder called Jero Kubayan and is never led by a Priest or Pedanda.

For those who want to pray to Pura Luhur Batukaru, it is recommended first to pray at Pura Jero Taksu, which is located a little far from Pura Luhur Batukaru. The purpose of praying at Pura Jero Taksu is to ask for success and away from obstacles during the prayer process that will take place later at Pura Luhur Batukaru. The tourists who visit Pura Luhur Batukaru are required to wear polite clothes to maintain the sanctity of the temple.

Pura Luhur Batukaru is part of nine temples called Pura Padma Bhuwana which are spread across nine corners of the island of Bali. Pura Padma Bhuwana symbolizes the reverence to God that covers all corners of the universe. In all corners of this universe, nothing is separated from the presence of God. This concept is reflected in the nine temples scattered on the island of Bali, which describe the existence of God in various aspects of the universe.