Batukaru Temple

One of Bali’s most well-known points of interest is Batukaru Temple, which is situated in the west of the island in the Wangaya Gede region, Penebel District, and Tabanan regency. One of Bali’s most important temples, Pura Luhur Batukaru, is situated at the base of the namesake Mount Batukaru. Locals call it such. Situated on Bali’s second-highest summit, after Mount Agung, at 2,270 meters above sea level, the temple is encircled by cool natural forests, making it a great place for nature enthusiasts to stop and enjoy the scenery.

How to Get to Batukaru Temple

The Batukaru Temple is situated in the western region of Bali Island, in the Wangaya Gede countryside, Penebel District, and Tabanan regency. Since Batukaru Temple and Pura Luhur Batukaru are not accessible by public transportation, your only options are to drive yourself or take a guided Bali tour. Be advised that most highways pass via Tabanan before continuing on the signs to Batukaru Mountain if you are driving alone. Since the temple is more of a local destination, the journey isn’t well-publicized, but many villagers can provide you instructions.

Best Time to Visit Batukaru Temple

The biennial “Piodalan” temple anniversaries, which take place every Thursday following the Galungan festivities, are the ideal opportunity to visit Batukaru Temple. The pilgrimage day is one of the most memorable occasions of the year at Batukaru Temple. Thousands of local Balinese Hindus visit Batukaru Temple on this day to pray before ascending Batukaru Mountain. The spectacle of thousands of pilgrims climbing the mountain road is undoubtedly something to witness, even though some parts of the temple might not be open to visitors on this particular day.

What to Expect at Batukaru Temple

The state temple for the Tabanan monarchs was Batukaru Temple, also known as Pura Luhur Batukaru, which is a serene, spiritual, and off-the-beaten-path location. The temple’s design is similar to that of other parts of Bali; it has three courtyards, each of which is joined by a split or closed gate. There are numerous shrines with tiered roofs on Batukaru Temple’s main structure, and the complex is full of old buildings that are extensively covered with green moss. Numerous shrines may be found within the walled precincts, along with tall ‘MERU’ towers and ‘BALE’ pavilions that are distinctly ancient Balinese in their ornate wall carvings and dark grass roofs. ​

Three Meru of three, five, and seven layers honor the deified ruler of Tabanan in the compact and orderly inner courtyard. It features shrines for the three mountain lakes—Lake Tamblingan, Lake Buyan, and Lake Beratan—as well as a seven-roofed Meru dedicated to Maha Dewa, the mountain’s guardian spirit. There are numerous courtyards inside the complex, sparsely positioned and on different heights, connected through a network of floral gardens and statue-lined steps. A freshwater spring located inside the main temple courtyard provides the sacred water for rituals and prayers. Rituals for purification and cleaning are performed at a different spring.

Batukaru Temple History

There is no historical fact to disclose the history of the temple except manuscripts called Kusuma Dewa, and the manuscript about the Buleleng kingdom in the 17th century. In Kusuma Dewa mentioned that Mpu Kuturan, a priest from Java who was in Bali around the 11th century ordered the construction of Sad Kahyangan (6 main temples on each of the directions). Batukaru Temple is mentioned as one of the Sad Kahyangan and is dedicated to the god of west direction. The manuscript of Buleleng kingdom mentions that when the kingdom of Buleleng (now Singaraja) had been very prosperous and peaceful, the king Panji Sakti wanted to extend his empire and looked for possible attack targets.

When the monarch and his army finally reached Batukaru temple, the book states that the I Gusti Panji Sakti attacked and destroyed the temple for no apparent cause. He was soon attacked by thousands of bees, and the troops who were pursuing them all fled in droves. It appears that the authors of this article attempted to misinterpret the circumstances and lacked empathy for Buleleng. There is another tale of a Bali king who was eventually overthrown by a more religious government and who shared Usana Bali’s views on religion and its effects on society.

The year 1605 AD is mentioned in Buleleng’s manuscript. Similar to the water fountain stone sculpture at Goa Gajah, Gianyar, there are several stone sculptures that feature water fountains. This ancient sculpture may have come from the same era, the 11th century, according to Dr. R. Goris’ book. The temple was gradually restored from the ruins in 1959 to its current architectural state in 1977.

Batukaru Temple Entrance Ticket

There is no admission fee to Batukaru Temple, although donations are appreciated, particularly from foreign tourists. This is never more than IDR 20,000 and is frequently used as leverage in the form of sarong rental. Although there have been a few isolated cases of overcharging, it is wise to seek your guide for assistance if you believe that prices have changed. For a nominal payment of IDR 5,000, visitors can use the temple’s on-site restrooms.

Opening Hours : 08.00 AM – 06.00 PM

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