KINTAMANI VILLAGE
KINTAMANI VILLAGE BALI IS A TOURIST DESTINATION TO SEE THE AMAZING MOUNT BATUR VOLCANO AND LAKE BATUR FROM THE VIEWPOINT AT PENELOKAN KINTAMANI BALI
Bali Kintamani Village is located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. The village has a cool and humid climate, suitable for growing oranges and passion fruit. Every market day, which is held on the third day of every week, the main street in the village is crowded with vendors coming from far and wide, some even using horses to carry their wares. Kintamani is a unique and stunning mountain destination, with cool air during the day and cold air at night. It is located in Batur Village, Kintamani District, Bangli Regency. This tourist attraction is connected to the Tourism Regions of Batur and Besakih Temple Tampaksiring. To reach it from Denpasar, you can travel by road for about 2 hours to Penelokan, which is the most strategic place to enjoy the natural scenery at the location. Penelokan is located in Penelokan Kedisan Village, one of the villages in Kintamani District.
If you visit Kintamani Village Bali, here’s what you need to know:
- History of Kintamani Village Bali
- Kintamani for Mount Batur Viewpoint
- Kintamani Penelekoan Village Tourist Attraction
- Kintamani and Mount Batur Caldera
- What You Can Do at Kintamani Village
- Location of Kintamani Bali
- Tour to Kintamani Bali
History of Kintamani Village Bali
The history of Kintamani has several reliable sources, which are collected from various references and have an important meaning in revealing the history of this village, which is famous for its tourist destination, Mount Batur Viewpoint. Some sources that tell the history of Kintamani based on history books written by historians can be summarized as follows:
- According to the opinion of the late Drs. I Nyoman Singgin Wikarman, a figure and enthusiast of ancient literature from the Kintamani Bangli district, the term “Cintamani” comes from Sanskrit found in the Vedas. The term means “something that can provide happiness inside and out, wahya adhyamitka (Bhukti Mukti)”. Therefore, it was only natural that King Singha Mandhawa gave permission to the monks to establish a hermitage on Cintamani Mmal Hill, as it was believed that this place could provide happiness to those who lived there. This is proven by the fact that people who have lived in Kintamani Village for a long time tend to be reluctant to return to their home areas because they feel happy living there.
- According to Sukarto (1980:2), he argues that the word “Cintamani” comes from the combination of the words “Cinta” and “Mani”. “Cinta” means romance or attractive, while “Mani” means bead or gem. Thus, Cintamani can be interpreted as a very attractive gem or love charm. The transformation process from Cintamani to Kintamani is similar to the Coromandel case in India. According to I Gede Pudja, MA, SH, in the book Weda Introduction to Hinduism, he argues that the word “Cintamani” is also found in the Vedas, which is associated with Maha Rsi Wira Chintamani, an author of Dhanur Weda, or the science of war or weaponry. In Central Java, there is a village called “Cintamanik”, which suggests a connection with the term Cintamani. In Kekawin Ramayana Volume 2, sargah 24, in Wirama Sarisi stanza 62, page 702, it reads, “Ika sugati back and forth ta apageh, Susila salayania tan singsala, Twanging maguru gorawa angken garit, Ciwarcana cinita Cintamani”. In Marriage of Ramayana Volume 2, the word “Cintamani” means “Beads of Asta Gina”. This reinforces the existence of Kintamani Village and the historical meaning of the term Cintamani. Meanwhile, in Kintamani Pakraman Village, a temple has been built called Pura Manik Astagina, which is located to the east of Pura Tenten, or Pasar Agung. This temple is believed by Krama Kintamani Village to be the manifestation of Sthana Hyang Widhi, who gives Taksu (Manik Sakecap), especially related to the success of a job, especially in the field of art. Therefore, before starting an activity, especially in the field of art, it is advisable to pray and ask permission at the Manik Asta Gina Temple. Belief in this temple is not only limited to the Krama of Kintamani Village but is also recognized by other villages such as Banyunggede, Peludu, and Kecil Kelodan. For example, if they want to perform a Barong show and want to kill Jero Gede (an important actor in Barong), they will do preparation and maturation rituals at Manik Asta Gina Temple and Tenten Temple.
Kintamani for Mount Batur Viewpoint
From Penelokan, we can enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery that combines Mount Batur with a stretch of black rock, Lake Batur, and above the blue caldera. Many travelers call it the most beautiful caldera in the world. Due to the growing number of visitors, Penelokan has been equipped with a complete infrastructure, including lodging and restaurants. Penelokan Village also offers additional attractions, in particular Penelokan Terunyan Village. To reach it, you need to pass through the center of Kedisan Village and cross the lake. In Terunyan, we can see the ancient tradition of the Bali Aga. Here, the bodies of the deceased are placed under trees, and the corpses are not completely removed from the smell. Kintamani village, which is famous in Bali, is located in the beautiful Bangli Regency. The fresh mountain air, combined with the stunning scenery, is best enjoyed by cycling or trekking around the village. The village’s dramatic scenery centers around the volcanic caldera of Mount Batur, which has a deep crater lake and is the largest lake in Bali, as well as bubbling hot springs. The village also has several temples, including Batur Kintamani Temple, which sits on the edge of the crater, adding to the stunning natural charm of Kintamani village.
Kintamani Penelekoan Village Tourist Attraction
When tourism began to develop in Bali around 1965, one of the tour packages, the “Barong Dance and Kintamani Tour”, became very popular as a one-day excursion. The main highlights of this tour that are still in demand today include the Balinese artist colonies, Tirta Empul Temple, and the Batur Caldera. According to some experienced tour guides who have been working in the industry for more than 2 decades, travelers from Europe and the United States often return to Bali more than five times since the 1960s, and every time they come, they always choose this Bali tour. Perhaps the spirit of nature and Balinese culture here provides inspiration for various types of businesses, ranging from handicrafts to 5-star hotels or restaurants. This is evidenced by the rapid development of tourism facilities in Bali from the 1980s to 1995, which indicates that what is of value in this trip has triggered other areas of Bali to be recognized in the tourism industry. Below will be described briefly how these three areas attracted attention for a long time.
Kintamani and Mount Batur Caldera
The inscription tells the story of the history of Kintamani and Mount Batur. The inscriptions show that Mount Batur was considered a very sacred place. Here are some of the inscriptions that tell about Mount Batur in Kintamani, with the breathtaking view of the Batur caldera in the background, which have been recorded in the king’s charter as follows:
- An inscription from 911 AD mentions the king’s envoys who were sent to worship at Trunyan village. The local community was asked to serve the envoys by providing food and facilities during their religious journey. In return, the community asked the king to be exempted from certain taxes in exchange for the services they provided to the envoys.
- An inscription dating from 911 AD records a regulation issued by the king to protect the interests of village members between Abang and Trunyan villages.
- Three inscriptions found in Kintamani in 967 AD mention the existence of an inn called lodging (pesangrahan) at Air Mih, which had received permission from King Tabanendra Dharmadewa. These inscriptions also mention the arrival or possible travel of priests (bhiksu) who wanted to settle in the area. It was stipulated that the number of newcomers should not exceed 10 families.
- Just about 1 kilometer north of Kintamani, there are various stone carvings carved in 1011 AD by the famous sculptor named “Mpu Bga”. These carvings were dedicated to the king and also to the spirits of the ancestors.
These are some of the inscriptions that record the relationship between Kintamani Village and Batur Temple. Batur Temple has been considered sacred since ancient times and is often visited by local residents. Kintamani Village is a very old village full of mystery and history, especially the history of Batur Temple, which was once located at the foot of Mount Batur, was destroyed by a mountain eruption, and is now moved to the location of the Kintamani tourist attraction. With a beautiful view overlooking the mountain, this place offers a mesmerizing experience.
What You Can Do at Kintamani Village
You can enjoy various activities in Kintamani besides visiting the amazing tourist attractions, where you can enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of Mount Batur from Kintamani Village. Here, there are many restaurants with mesmerizing views of Mount Batur, which makes your lunch even more special with the beautiful view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. You can also experience the incredible sensation of witnessing the majesty and beauty of the Batur Temple, which is highly revered by the local people. Besides enjoying the beauty of Mount Batur, there are still some other interesting activities you can do in Kintamani Village.
- Visiting Batur Temple in Kintamani, where the temple is dedicated to the god who lives on Mount Batur, is a memorable experience. The history of Batur Temple can be found in several sources, such as Lontar Dewa Kesmu, Lontar Usada Bali, and Lontar Raja Purana Batur. Batur Temple has been established since the time of Kuturan Professor X, about a century before the beginning of the 11th century. With its large area and many pelinggih, it is believed that this temple was a place of worship for the Penyiwi kings who once ruled Bali, as well as the Kahyangan Jagat. In Lontar Bali Usada, the story of Batur Temple and Dewi Danu is beautifully told. It is said that in the month of Marga Sari (Vth month), when the Krishna (Tilem) Army of Bethara Pasupati in India was moving the top of Mount Meru, which was split in two, the parts held by the left and right hands were brought to Bali. The part held by his left hand became Mount Batur as the place of Dewi Danu, while the one held by his right hand became the Son of God as the sthana of Bethara Putrajaya. These two mountains are considered the origin of the island of Bali and are symbols of Sang Hyang Widhi. Batur Temple is the center of worship for Hindus throughout Central Bali, especially for those who wish for agricultural salvation. When there is an important event, such as the fall of a saint to X (kedasa), everyone, especially the kelian subak, gathers at Batur Temple to give “Suwinih”. This shows the importance of this temple in the spiritual and social life of the Balinese people, as a sanctified place to face disasters and ask for protection.
- You can join the Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Tour to enjoy the beauty of Mount Batur at sunrise. On this tour, you will start your journey in the morning and must arrive at the starting point of the Mount Batur trek before 4:00 a.m. The trekking starts together towards the summit of Mount Batur, with an easy walk that lasts about 2 hours. Trekking begins at the top of Mount Batur, with an easy walk lasting about 2 hours. From the summit, you can witness the stunning beauty of Mount Batur and its caldera. This is a very special moment, as you can spend the morning enjoying the mesmerizing view. After that, you will descend the same path and return to the hotel with an unforgettable experience.
- The Geopark Museum is a place that presents information about national and global geoparks. The museum’s exhibition space follows the concept of a geopark, which includes various aspects of geology, biology, and culture. Inside, there is geological diversity filled with rocks from the eruption of Mount Batur. Through this museum, you can explore the fascinating history of Mount Batur and understand the eruption process of the mountain from time to time. In addition, the museum also shows the process of the eruption, providing an amazing experience when visiting Kintamani Village and getting to know more about Mount Batur as one of the popular tourist destinations in Kintamani, especially in Bangli places of interest.
Location of Kintamani Bali
Kintamani Village is located very far away in the highland area. If you drive from Denpasar to get there, the trip will take about 2 hours. There are three routes you can take for the trip. First, go through the Ubud village and continue straight up towards Tegalalang, which is famous for its beauty. Second, through Payangan Village, passing the Ayung Rafting Company, then straight up to the top, then turn right and continue straight. Third, through the Gianyar Village, passing Tirta Empul, which is famous for its holy water, then straight and turn left when you reach the top. The journey from Ubud does not take long, about 1 hour or less if there is no traffic, especially if you pass through the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. If you feel confused, you can use Google Maps for directions to the location. If you don’t want to bother driving, Bali Driver Hire can help by providing transportation at an affordable price and satisfying service.
Tour to Kintamani Bali
This suggests that the Kintamani area is the oldest historically recorded area in Bali. Possibly because of its inspiring natural scenery and magical aura. One of Indonesia’s famous writers, Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana, even built his lodging house on the slopes of Mount Batur, where he created many literary works in the form of romances or novels. If you want to enjoy the view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur in Kintamani Village, we from Bali Driver Hire offer tour packages such as the Ubud and Kintamani Tour, which includes visits to Ubud and Kintamani villages in one day, or the Kintamani Tour, which visits Kintamani village and other tourist destinations with affordable prices and satisfactory services. If you just want to see the sights of Kintamani, we also provide Hire Car and Driver services with private cars and experienced drivers.