Eyewitness – BANGLI
July 29, 2026 — The Batur
Traditional Village held a Pamlaspas Cihna (purification) ceremony at the historical “Ground Zero” site of Ancient Batur Village in the Mount Batur Black Lava area on Wednesday, marking the countdown to the 100th anniversary of Rarud Batur.
The event commemorates the historical relocation of the Batur community following a major volcanic eruption a century ago. Attended by Bali Governor Wayan Koster, military officials, and regional leaders, the ceremony reinforced a collective commitment to preserve the cultural, environmental, and spiritual heritage of the Mount and Lake Batur region.
Organizing Committee Chair (Guru) Made Santika announced that the centenary will feature an educational festival from August 2–8, 2026, including a historical reenactment march. Traditional Leader Jero Penyarikan Duuran Batur clarified that the site build-up is not a temple reconstruction, but an educational historical marker (Padmasana Alayang) to inform future generations of the ancestral village’s original footprint.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Wayan Koster emphasized Mount Batur’s role as one of Bali’s oldest civilizations. He vowed to collaborate with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to halt commercial activities that degrade the sacred site.
“A revered mountain should be honored from afar, not trampled upon,” Koster stated, calling for an immediate end to practices that pollute or desecrate the sacred landscape.
The event concluded with the signing of a commemorative plaque and the ceremonial planting of a banyan tree to symbolize sustainability and cultural continuity.
Reporter: Daniel Herry
