Bangli
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| Bangli regency is the only regency in Bali without any coastlines. However, this mountainous region has the most historic temples; Kehen, Batur, and Penulisan provide archeological remains linking them to the era of King Udayana Warmadewa in the late 10th and 11th centuries. The lower land in the south part has fertile plains and provides good rice growing terrain, decked with glossy green-blue terraces, clumps of bamboo, and waving palms. Above Bangli, the vegetation becomes dense, as the climate is cooler. There are coffee groves, salak, and other tropical fruits. Further north is Kintamani and Mt. Batur, an extraordinary double volcano, where there is a huge outer rim that rises up to 1,745 meters at Penulisan. |
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In 1926, during the violent eruption of Mt. Batur, the original village of Batur, at the southern foot of the mountain, was totally destroyed. The villagers, unharmed but homeless, moved up onto the high ridge overlooking their original home, and began the task of rebuilding their temple, Pura Ulun Danu. Work on this temple is still underway, and they are creating one of the most impressive temples on the islands. Its stark meru towers stand out against the backdrop of the smoking volcano.
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Just north of the town of Bangli, is one of the largest temple in Bali, and a stirring example of the virtuosity of the stone-carvers of the region. It was founded in the 11th centuries of Cri Brahma Kanuti Ketu. Pura Kehen has three courtyards, each entered through a towering, carved gateway. The second courtyard is a venerable banyan tree.
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1500 meters high, the village of Kintamani has a cool, damp climate suited to growing oranges and passion fruit and on market day, which falls every third day, the main street becomes a bustling chaos of vendors, some of whom have traveled from far away, carrying their wares on horseback.
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Owes it origins to pre Hindu times (Bali Aga), and still maintains many of its ancients customs. According to legend, the village was founded on the spot where an ancients tree, which smelled of incense, stood. The old temple, Pura Pancering Jagat, still stands under a massive Banyan tree.