Lake Batur is one of Bali's four lakes and is considered to be the source of fertility and abundance for Bali's farmers. This area is also a popular tourist attraction, with people from all over the world coming to hike Mount Batur, bathe in the natural hot springs and enjoy the farmlands that stretch our in all directions.

The people who live around the lake are descendants of Bali's indigenous people known as Bali Mule or Bali Aga. Trunyan is one of the villages on the lake and is known for burying their dead above ground. Although the neighbouring village of Songan is also home to descendants of Bali Mule, they do not share this practice, though they do have many traditions that differ from the rest of Bali. The people of Songan for example do not celebrate Galungan holiday.

There is a big temple near the lake, called Ulun Danu Temple and held a grandiose ceremony call Mapepada Ngusaba Kapat lasting about one month. Ulun Danau Batur Temple, located by the lakeshore, is one of Bali's three Tri Kahyangan Jagat temples, along with Besakih Temple and Lempuyangan Temple. So, people from all over Bali come to pray here regularly.

The grandiose month long ceremony, he added serves many functions including revitalizing the harmony of Dewi Danau (lake Goddess) and involved the sacrifice of 13 cattle, sacred dances performed by dance troupes from all over Bali, prayers by 15 of Bali's most important high priests, subaks (farm field irrigation cooperative) from all over Bali and ongoing prayers by all kinds of people from throughout the island and beyond.

While most Balinese people come to Songan to pray at Hulun Danau Batur Temple, visitors from around the world are also drawn to this beautiful part of the island. While trekking up Mount Batur to see the sunrise is the most popular activity amongst foreign and local visitors alike, Songan is drawing an increasing amount of attention from people wanting to enjoy the aura and landscape of this unique village.

Local people in Kintamani live on their ancestral land and still grow onions and tomatoes. There is a cliff that flanks the land where tourist who hike up the hill to enjoy the spectacular view. There is also a famous tree called pohon cinta or love tree on the top of the cliff.

The tree became well known after a young man was there courting a young lady when he fell off the steep 100 meter cliff. By some miracle, he survived the fall unscathed. The young couple figured that the tree witnessed their love and so spared the young man. They got married shortly thereafter, had two children and the tree is now visited by hopeful couples from around Indonesia and the world.

Most people in Songan are busy with their farm-work. so tourism has not been a priority, despite the tremendous potential and the increasing numbers of people who come here looking peace, blessings, or to enjoy the view.

Whether people come to Lake Batur to pray for blessings of fertilty or abundance from the Goddess of the lake in the ancient lakeshore temple, or for blessing of love from the 'love tree', or whether they come to hike up Mount Batur to renew their spirit as they greet the sun rising on a new day, to bathe in the natural volcanic hot springs to refresh body and mind or just enjoy the atmosphere of these ancient faming villages, and lava fields, one thing is certain: Lake Batur with its magnificent backdrop of Mount Batur and surrounding hills that has been taken care of by the people of Songan since time immemorial has the power to inspire, renew, and deepen our spirits in innumerable ways

After reading an interesting article about Lake Batur in Kintamani, we are sure that you are curious and immediately want to visit this place which is located in the middle of the island of Bali. Book a car now, either rent a car with a driver or rent a self-driving car and plan a tour to Kintamani. We are ready to serve your transportation needs during your vacation in Bali, rent a car self drive and rent a car with a Bali driver. Contact our whatsapp for a faster response.