Ulun Danu Batur Temple as the Guardian of Fertility and Prosperity in Bali

Ulun Danu Batur Temple is one of the most important temples on the island of Bali, Ulun Danu Batur Temple is believed by the Balinese people as a place to invoke fertility and prosperity, in order to keep the Balinese nature preserved and sustainable and the Balinese people remain prosperous and prosperous. Ulun Danu Batur Temple was first established in the 17th century then Ulun Danu Batur Temple was rebuilt in 1926 and completed in 1935, where Ulun Danu Batur Temple is dedicated to worship the goddess andu as the goddess of fertility.

It began when Mount Batur erupted in 1917, which at that time Batur Temple and the original village was known as Karang Anyar, which means "New Territory", the eruption of Mount Batur caused thousands of casualties which miraculously, the lava flow from Mount Batur stopped at the gate of Ulun Danu Batur Temple. This made the local people believe that God was always with them and decided to stay in the village. Then in 1926 Mount Batur erupted again and caused the closure of Karang Anyar village by the lava flow that dropped 1500 victims. But in the temple there is an 11-story meru that still stands firmly. Then the local people rebuilt Ulun Danu Batur Temple in the place we know today.

Meru 9 Level of Ulun Danu Batur Temple (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

Ulun Danu Batur Temple itself comes from the word "pura" which means temple or shrine, "ulun" which means source or head and "danu" refers to Lake Batur, so that Ulun Danu Batur Temple is interpreted or illustrates that the importance of water as a giver of fertility and prosperity for Balinese people especially in the process of irrigating rice fields. People throughout Bali will usually come to Ulun Danu Batur Temple on certain days which makes Ulun Danu Batur Temple will be filled with Balinese people.

Ulun Danu Batur Temple is divided into three areas: the outer part ("jaba pisan" or "nistaning mandala"), the middle part ("jaba tengah" or "madya mandala") and the main part ("jero" or "utamaning mandala"). Ulun Danu Batur Temple consists of nine different temples with a total of 285 shrines and pavilions dedicated to gods and goddesses such as water, agriculture, holy springs, arts, crafts and more. The 11-tiered meru at Ulun Danu Batur Temple is located in the inner courtyard and is most sacred to the temple's devotees as it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Dewi Parvati and the 3 9-tiered meru, dedicated to Mount Batur, Mount Abang and Ida Batara Dalem Waturenggong, the deified king of the Gelgel Dynasty who ruled from 1460 to 1550. And another 3-level meru is dedicated to Ida Ratu Ayu Kentel Gumi who is believed to protect plants from disease.

Garden of Ulun Danu Batur Temple (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

In the northwest corner of Ulun Danu Batur Temple is a temple with colorful statues built in Chinese style and dedicated to Ida Ratu Ayu Subandar who is believed to be the protector of trade and administrator of the gods. The worship of this deity is said to have existed since the Hindu-Javanese era where the king usually appointed a Chinese harbor master who was appointed to be responsible for the storage and protection of valuable objects.
Thus Ulun Danu Batur Temple has a very important role in holding the spiritual and cultural life of the Balinese people where it is believed that Ulun Danu Batur Temple is involved in maintaining the anger of Mount Batur and maintaining the security of the surrounding environment and maintaining balance in the Lake Batur area and the local community also believes that Dewi Danu always provides protection to them, so they continue to maintain their traditions and culture to be preserved and maintained.

Jaba Tengah Ulun Danu Batur Temple (Photo Source : Personal Collection)

One of the biggest yadnya ceremonies performed at Ulun Danu Batur Temple is the Mepada Agung ceremony where this ceremony is held on "Purnama Kedasa" or the tenth month in the Balinese calendar. This ceremony is addressed to Dewi Danu as a tribute to her who has provided fertility and prosperity for the Balinese people. This is an important moment because this ceremony illustrates deep religiosity and illustrates how culture, tradition and agriculture can be preserved and implemented in everyday life by the Balinese people.