MY INDONESIAN EXPERIENCE: PANDORA’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH VOLCANOES (continued)
May
2009
The Gates of Bali: Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur
Tita D and I took a walk along Kuta beach on our first morning in Bali. From a distance, I could see two mountains, which I later learned were Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur. I later told LS about it and she said that they represent the gateway to Bali. All the Balinese temples I saw had gates that looked like those two volcanoes.
According to this article, the Balinese consider the mountains to be dwelling places of their gods.
“…Gunung Agung, Bali’s highest mountain at 10,308 feet (3142 meters), is the most sacred to the island’s Hindus, while Gunung Batur is considered most holy by the aboriginal people living in the remote jungles around Lake Batur. Mt. Agung is the abode of Batara Gunung Agung, also identified as Mahadewa, the supreme manifestation of Shiva. Mt. Batur and Lake Batur are sacred to Dewi Danu, the Goddess of the Lake. Also called Ida Ratu Ayu Dalem Pingit, this goddess is regarded as the provider of irrigation water in the form of bubbling natural springs that issue all over the lower slopes of Mt. Batur. An enormous fresh-water lake of 4240 acres, sacred Lake Batur is considered by farmers and priests to be the ultimate source of the springs and rivers that provide irrigation water for the whole of central Bali.”
Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur remind me of my ancient grandparents who, in this world, were constant companions. Many times, I saw them sit quietly beside each other making not a sound but reveling in each others’ company.
Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur did not show themselves to us after our first morning in Bali. In fact, LS never got to see them. I consider myself lucky to have seen them at all.
One of these days, I will see Gunung Bromo and revisit the seven Indonesian volcanoes that have given me a glimpse of themselves.
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