Bali has many unique and interesting cultures to explore, one of which is Trunyan Village which is located on the edge of Daru Batur, Kintamani, Bangli Bali. To reach this village, it takes approximately 3 hours from Denpasar Airport and then takes a boat across Lake Batur. There is a temple that is very sacred by the surrounding community.
It is famous for Pancering Jagat Temple but unfortunately visitor not allowed inside. There are also a couple of traditional Bali Aga-style dwellings and large banyan tree, which is said to be more than 1100 years old. At Kuban subvillage close to Trunyan is mysterious cemetery that is separately by the lake and accessible only by boat, there is not path along the steep walls of the crater rim.
bali tourist destination
The village of Trunyan itself is situated at the edge of Batur Lake. This location is inaccessible except by boat, and it take around half and hour across the calm waters. Getting to Lake Batur take around 2 hours drive to the northeast of Denpasar along to main road to Buleleng and through Bangli Regency. From famous tourist sport in Bali such as Kuta, Legian, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, it takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Hire a car driven by Bali driver is best choice to go to Truyan as the road is narrow, less traffic sign as well as many traffic obstacles.
Unlike the Balinese people, the people of Trunyan do not cremate or bury their dead but just lay them out in bamboo cages to decompose, although strangely there is no stench. A macabre collection of skulls and bones lies on the stone platform and the surrounding areas.
The dead bodies do not produces bad smells because of the perfumed scent from a huge Taru Menyan tree growing nearby. Taru mean tree and Menyan means nice smell. The name of Trunyan was also derived from these two words.
The women from Trunyan are probihited from going to cemetery when the dead body is carried there. This follows deeply rooted belief that is a woman comes to the cemetery while a corpse is being carried there, there will be a disaster in the village, for example land slide or volcanic eruption. Such events have been frequent in the village’s history, but whether woman had anything to do with it is a matter of opinion.
Visitor can visited both village of Trunyan and Kuban cemetery by chartered boat frm Kedisan. Sadly, nowdays the boat trips are now blatant tourist trap, as touts and guide are strongly urge you to donate your cash to the temple project or leave a donation for the dead. These touts ruin an otherwise fascinating experience.
