Batukaru Temple | The Secret Hindu Temple in Jungle and Slope of Batukaru Mount

 

Batukaru Temple is one of the six directional temples in Bali (Sad Khayangan) which is believed to protect the island and the inhabitants from evil spirits. This temple is one of the biggest Hindu Temples in Bali, located on the foot of Batukaru Mountain, Wangaya Gede countryside, Penebel District, Tabanan Regency. This temple protects Bali from the west side and was built in the 11th century. The beautiful temple is set in a plateau surrounded by a tropical rainforest and a sturdy Batukaru mountain backdrop.

The history of this temple is difficult  to be found out some ancient negligence also exist in this temple. Same as other temples in Bali, Batukaru temple also has three elements of temple area which consists of the outside area (Nista Mandala), middle area (Madya Mandala) and the main area (Utama Mandala). In the outside area visitors can see a Wantilan building or a Meeting hall, it is a multifunctional building located on the right side of the entrance gate. Visitors may sit and relax in this building. The temple's most important shrine is the 7-tiered Meru it is a shrine to worship the God of Batukaru, Mahadewa.

On big Balinese ceremonies such as Galungan and Kuningan, people from all over the island come to pray at the temple. The water in Batukaru temple is believed as a holy water and it is used for ceremonies and offered to God to ensure fertility of the land. Batukaru temple is appointed as great tourist destination in Bali, many domestic and foreign visitors come and visit this temple everyday. The cool and fresh atmosphere and a beautiful view of Balinese Hindu temple with a mountain backdrop makes this temple as an interesting place to visit.

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Subak Museum - Historic Balinese Agricultural Site

Subak Museum is a museum that shows the highlight of the Balinese agricultural system that is known as Subak.The museum has various collection of Balinese traditional agriculture tools and old documentation. It is located in Sanggulan Village, Kediri sub district, Tabanan regency. Approximately 2 kilometers in the east of Tabanan town and about 4 kilometers west of the road intersection leading to kediri. It takes about 40minutes to reach this museum from Denpasar city. Subak Museum is opened for public and it is one of the tourist destination in the west part of Bali, Tabanan regency. 

Entering the museum, visitors will experience a cool atmosphere due to the large trees that shade the museum. Subak museum was officiated by the Governor of Bali on the 13th of October 1981. This museum consists of two main buildings, an opened building and a closed building. In the opened building visitors may see a miniature of Subak demonstration. The objects that are displayed in this building are farmer equipments that include equipments that are used to make irrigation system, farm processing, crop conservation, harvesting and some kitchen equipments. The closed building consists of a library, office and an exhibition stand where visitors are able to see demonstration of the object related to farmer work and a visual audio narrating Subak activities.

Subak museum is opened on weekdays from 8:00am until 17:00pm and 8:00am until 13:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the museum is closed on Sundays. The admission fee is only Rp 5.000 for adults and Rp 3.000 for kids. This museum is worth for a visit because visitors get to know all the equipments and the lifestyle of Bali in the past.

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Bali Elephant Camp Offers Adventurous Elephant Riding

Bali Elephant Camp is an Elephant Camp located in Carangsari Village, Ubud. This Elephant Camp is situated between rice fields, forest and the longest river in Bali, Ayung River. Visitors will be given an opportunity to ride on an elephant through a rural area and see the beautiful panorama of the forests. The Elephants in this camp comes from Sumatra, they are all conserved well in this camp. By riding the Elephants in this camp, visitors are indirectly helping other elephants in Sumatra by providing funds for the food and land to make their habitats remain protected. After Riding on the Elephant, visitors have a chance to feed the cute Elephants and take pictures with them. It is a great experience for visitors from all ages. There are two tracks provided in this Elephant Camp. The Adventurer Short Trek and The Explorer Full Trek.

The Adventurer Short Trek will bring visitors to experience the beautiful landscape of the Elephant Camp and trek along the edge of the valley. Visitors may see birds and monkeys in their natural habitat. The stunning valley scenery will make visitors feel relax and enjoy the Elephant ride. The Elephant will also give some water attraction when reaching the pool area. After the ride, visitors may enjoy some meals and drinks at the Trunk'n'Mahour cafe provided in the camp.

The Explorer Full Trek will bring visitors to see more green scenery through tropical plantations of mango, Jackfruit, Durian and coconuts, visitors may also meet birds and monkeys in their natural habitat. This is such a unique and adventurous trek where visitors may see the natural green scenery from the valleys of the trek. Reaching the pool area, the Elephant will do some interesting water attractions. After the ride, visitors can have a delicious drink and meal at the Trunk'n'Mahour cafe that is provided in the camp.

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