The Spiritual of Batukaru Temple

Bali is not only famous for the beaches but also the temples it has. Since that the majority of Balinese people are Hindu, you can find temples in every corner of Bali. By this, Bali is well known as an island of thousand temples. Some of the temples are pretty small and new, but some others are huge and very old and sacred by the Hindu people in Bali.  One of the oldest temples in Bali is Pura Luhur Batukaru or Batukaru Temple. Batukaru Temple is located in the southern slope of Mount Batukaru in Wongaya Gede Village, Penebel District, Tabanan Regency. It takes around 1 hour 20 minutes from Denpasar to reach Batukaru Temple.

Batukaru Temple or the local people say as Pura Luhur Batukaru is a sacred temple located in the slope of Mount Batukaru. Since that Batukaru Temple is located in the slope of Mount Batukaru, the temperature in Batukaru Temple is so much cooler than the city. The word “Pura” means “Temple” and “Luhur” means “sacred”, while Batukaru is taken from the name of Mount Batukaru. So Pura Luhur Batukaru literally means the sacred Batukaru Temple. Batukaru Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bali and included as the six most sacred temple in Bali.

From the historical note, Batukaru Temple was been there since around the 11th century and become the temple to praise the Mahadewa God the God of plants. Batukaru Temple or Pura Luhur Batukaru is believed by the Hindu people in Bali was used by the priests from hundreds of years to do meditation. The meditation of the priests in Batukaru Temple makes it has more spiritual power and become more sacred than other temples in Bali.

From the historical note, in 1605 Batukaru Temple was destroyed by the king of Buleleng Kingdom. Batukaru Temple was left broken until around 1959 when the government started to do some renovation in Batukaru Temple. Then in 1977, Batukaru Temple or Pura Luhur Batukaru had been rebuilt with the same design as you can see until now.

When you arrived in Pura Luhur Batukaru, you will be welcomed with the view of the gate of Batukaru Temple and the view of Mount Batukaru in the middle of the gate as the backdrop. For a second, it looks like the view of “gates to heaven” in Lempuyang Temple with the view of Mount Agung as the backdrop. What makes Batukaru Temple more special is not only how sacred it is to the Hindu people in Bali, but also not like other tourism destination in Bali, you will not see art shops or souvenirs shops around Batukaru Temple.

When you visit Batukaru Temple, you will get the view of Mount Batukaru, the spiritual power of the Batukaru Temple and the quiet atmosphere because it is not crowded in Batukaru Temple. So it is a good choice to visit Batukaru Temple to feel the calmness of nature and the spiritual of Batukaru Temple.