Jatiluwih: The Bali Rice Terraces Marvel

Bali never fail to evoke the imagination of the Island of God. Going to  mighty overlooked Batu-Karu mountain area., that day I was go to the Pura Batukaru and Jatiluwih. Tabanan was my mother birthplace, and together we take the this trip.

Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Going a little late in the day, first we went to Tabanan city. On Kediri there is intersection to Tanah Lot and Tabanan, first go to the centre of Tabanan city. This city has narrow one way street, and have a traffic jam near the market. This satellite town have modest building, with many struggle statue of Sukarno and Ngurah Agung Tabanan. We took a little warong to eat very cheap satay, meatball and capcay.This small stall was crowded by local people and this attracted us to eat here. This modest food has sweet sauce satay which is surprisingly good.

This Mahameru in Pura Batu Karu placed God statue inside.

Going from Tabanan to Batukaru Temple has quiet villages Bali. The road to Batukaru is around 30 minutes from Tabanan city.  On the road the huge flag was flying around from Netherland flag, Germany and Argentine. This unique tradition is to celebrate world cup 2014. Pura Batukaru is an old temple of kayangan jagat to protect Wester Bali from evil spirits. This temple was exist even before Hindunese period to pray to the spirit of mountain and jungle. Once a year, Balinese people pilgramage to the summit after Galungan day.

This symbolize the Ulan Danu Lake. This pond is to protect it

Inside the area you can feel the sacred of this temple. You won't see bus tourist, when I was there there is just three couple of foreigner with around 40 people praying in the temple. The silent of the area and the song of bird, together with the sound of prayer you will feel the spirtual vibe. The bird flying and flock freely, without getting scared with human activity. Getting inside there were Balinese people do the prayer. Step aside and there is lovely pond with a temple in the middle. This place is perfect place for relax or even do a solo meditation in the area. This beautiful place makes me want to go further to the summit, but this is only allowed by pre-booked and guided by local guide.

Source for Tabanan Rice Terrace

Having a delight in Batukaru temple we took detour to Jatiluwih from the alternate road. The road is very small and only fit for one way car. The road condition is bad but the backdrop of Batukaru temple gives a little adrenalin on the journey to Jatiluwih. There is a gate with 10.000 rp per person ticket in the gate, on the way I start to see the paddy field. The scenery is beuatiful but wait until you went to the valley of Jatiluwih. This scenery made me stuck on my dream for a week because it was amazingly beautiful.

Pretty Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

UNESCO had make this landscape as heritage of the world, like it cite in the UNESCO this subak system ias a manifestationof the Tri Hita Karana Philosphy. The temples are the focus of a cooperative water management system of canals and weirs, known as subak, that dates back to the 9th century.The subak reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature. Along the way there is Ada Babi Guling where I already mention in my late blog post. This two landscape is meremrizing and it still stuck here in my heart.

Batu Karu Mountain as backdrop in Jatiluwih