In July 2015, the Indonesian island of Bali was in the spotlight of the general public. The sky above it was covered with ash. Thousands of tourists were blocked at the airport. The government evacuated from the zone of natural disaster local residents. But they were under a layer of volcanic ash. And several villages located on the slopes of the fire-breathing mountain burned down. How often does this situation occur in Bali? for Indonesia - a phenomenon not uncommon. After all, the state-archipelago is included in the so-called fiery belt of the Earth. This strip, stretching from Kamchatka to the equator along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, is still suffering from the rapid tectonic activity of our planet. But Bali is also a popular tourist destination. Wide beaches with white sand, mountains with murmuring streams, crystal waterfalls and lush greenery of the tropical jungle... To all this, add first-class service and well-developed tourism infrastructure. Are travelers really at risk when they come to this tropical paradise? Read about it in our article.

Explosive Indonesia

Every year, seismologists register about seven thousand earthquakes in this country. The number is certainly impressive. But don't let this fact discourage you from visiting Indonesia. The lion's share of tremors is recorded only by sensitive instruments. But, nevertheless, seismologists vigilantly monitor the activity of the subsoil under After all, tremors can be symptoms of a much more dangerous phenomenon - a volcanic eruption. These mountains in Indonesia are truly deadly. Only one harbinger of an eruption - the release of sulfuric gases - can kill all living things nearby. Columns of smoke cover the entire sky with an impenetrable haze. Hot stones are falling - volcanic bombs. And the lava flows down, burning everything in its path. There are five hundred volcanoes in Indonesia. But only 128 of them are active, and 65 are recognized as especially dangerous. Are volcanoes dangerous in Bali and how dangerous? We hasten to assure you that most of the eruptions take place in Sumatra. In a favorite with tourists tropical paradise The situation is not so tense. Although…

Active volcanoes in Bali

To calm down a little, let's remember school science, or rather, fifth grade geography. Volcanoes are extinct, dormant and active. Seismologists decide which category to attribute this or that mountain to based on the date of the last eruption. Bali is a volcanic island by its origin. But not all mountains on it are potentially dangerous. After all, the island was formed millions of years ago. And if this or that volcano erupted for the last time more than ten thousand years ago, it is called extinct. When he was active 3500 years ago, he is recorded as dormant. Now about the situation in Bali. It is believed that there are only two active volcanoes on this island. These are Gugung ("Mountain") Agung and Batur. All other volcanoes in Bali are extinct or dormant. Therefore, you can safely go to this island. The last volcanic eruption in Bali occurred in 2000. You can’t call it a real explosion - Gugung Batur threw out a column of ash three hundred meters high, and that was the end of the matter. But in 1964 there was a real eruption (from the same volcano). The highest point of the island of Gugung Agung has not been active for a very long time.

Dangerous neighborhood?

Two active volcanoes on one small island is still too much, fearful tourists will think. And they will be wrong. One has only to look at the population density around the local volcanoes, as you will dispel the slightest fear. Small villages can be found even in craters. Farmers are attracted to this neighborhood because the mineral-rich volcanic ash is an excellent fertilizer for the soil. Due to the altitudinal zonality, a mild microclimate has developed on the slopes of the mountain, conducive to a good harvest. There are also no problems with watering the crops, since it often rains for a short time on the slopes of the mountains. Any volcano in Bali is held in high esteem by the locals. Temples on the slopes testify to this. And since these structures are old, we can conclude that the neighborhood with the volcano is not considered dangerous by the locals. The tourism industry in Bali uses these mountains for excursions.

Significance of volcanoes for local residents

In the religion and culture of the Indonesians, the mythical mountain Mahameru was the center of the universe. This axis of the universe split in half. This is how Agung and Batur arose - volcanoes, on top of which the gods live. All villages in Bali are oriented towards the highest mountain of the island. Residents go to bed with their heads towards Gugung Agung - so that the soul is close to the gods. Legend has it that before the rise of volcanoes, the island was deserted and barren. This is partly true: the ashes fertilize the local soil well. The gods come down to the people on big holidays, and then return to the tops. To honor them, temples have been built on the slopes of the volcanoes. Since Agung is the most high mountain islands, then the Besakih complex is the most revered place of worship. This volcano in Bali is under the auspices of Batara Mahadeva (in local Hinduism, Shiva). Once every hundred years, the Eka Dasa Rudra ceremony is held at the Besakih temple on the slopes of Agung - "cleansing the world of all sins." And this holiday in 1963 turned into a tragedy.

Agung eruption

The world cleansing ceremony was scheduled for the spring of 1963. However, when Mount Agung woke up in Bali in February, the priests said that the inhabitants had chosen the wrong date for the ritual. Say, Shiva does not want to go down to people on this day and expresses his dissatisfaction with the columns of smoke coming from the crater of the mountain. Volcanologists also agreed with the priests. They warned Indonesian President Sukarno that Agung was showing signs of activity and an eruption might begin. However, he had already invited foreign delegations to the celebration and did not want to postpone the ceremony. On March 18, 1963, the Agung eruption entered an active phase. There were explosions of the crater, lava descended. The Besakih temple miraculously was not damaged. The lava flow passed only a few meters from the buildings. However, a large number of people then died. Now the top of the volcano resembles a lunar landscape, which tourists come to admire. And the locals still honor Agung. They hang offerings on a curved bamboo penjor pole, which in outline resembles the most high peak islands.

Gugung Agung

This is the highest stratovolcano in Bali - its peak rises 3142 meters above sea level. It is located in the eastern part of the island. The name Gugung Agung is translated as "Great Mountain". In the entire history of observations, a volcanic eruption in Bali occurred only four times: in 1808, 1821, 1843 and 1963-1964. The latter was the most significant and powerful. Then two thousand people died, lava and mudflows came down. Crimson sunsets, which were then observed in Europe, were associated, according to some scientists, with the release into the atmosphere of a large amount of ash from the mouth of the Agung. After the eruption, the parameters of the crater also changed. Now it is an oval funnel five hundred meters long and two hundred wide. The volcano showed little activity in the 1980s. In 2000-2001, an abnormally hot temperature in the springs was noticed near Agung. Now the "Great Mountain" is dormant... Under the close attention of volcanologists.

Volcano Batur in Bali

It is the third highest mountain on the island. It is located very close to Agung. For tourists, Batur is a favorite place for climbing. Why? First, height. 1717 meters is not three thousand. The hike itself, if you start it very early in the morning, lasts half a day, and you can relax on the beaches. Secondly, at the foot of Batur there is a lake of the same name, the most picturesque in the area. There are temples on the slopes of the volcano. One of tourist attractions Batura are jets of hot steam. They make their way from various crevices of the mountain, reminding careless travelers that the volcano is active. Guides assure that it is quite possible to cook scrambled eggs in the jets of this steam. The last eruption of Batur occurred (in a duet with Agung) in 1964. After that, the volcano threw a column of ash three hundred meters up in 2000, as a result of which they closed for several days international Airport. Batur is quiet now. Only jets of steam warn of a hidden threat.

Batukaru

It is the second largest volcano in Bali. Its height is two thousand three hundred and fifty meters. On the slopes of this extinct volcano there is also a temple - Pura Luhur. The road to it leads through the forest with frisky monkeys. Climbing this mountain is recommended to take good pictures of the island from a bird's eye view.

Caldera Chatur

When our planet was still young, the volcanoes on it were just huge. When they erupted, calderas formed with many independent peaks. Such is now Chatur - a ridge of volcanoes stretching for eleven kilometers. Excursions go to Sengayang, Pohang, Lesung and Pengilingan, as this region is famous for its thermal springs. Still there are beautiful lakes- Bro, Tamblingan and Brawler. To the southwest of Chatur rises Batukaru, the second highest volcano in Bali.

What happened in the summer of 2015

On the third of June, the news came that the skies over Bali airport were closed. Because the island is popular tourist destination The news caused a stir. Is there a new volcanic eruption in Bali? Batur has been sleeping since 1964, and Agung too. What happened? In fact, the seismological situation has worsened in Java and Sumatra. Noise made He woke up in early 2014, killing sixteen people. The mountain is located in the north of Sumatra. In the summer of this year, Sinabung threw volcanic ash into the sky. Columns of thick smoke reached a height of two thousand meters, temporarily making air traffic impossible. In July, two more volcanoes in Java woke up - Gamalama and Raung. Nine hundred flights were canceled because of them.

Tourist attraction or serious risk?

So should you be afraid of volcanoes in Bali? As the reviews of tourists show, and the measured and calm life of the islanders themselves, there is no reason for concern. Volcanoes do not wake up instantly and unexpectedly. Their eruption is preceded by various phenomena, such as an increase in the temperature of the sources, the release of gases. Especially attractive for tourists is such a volcano on the island of Bali as Batur.

Life on the Indonesian island of Bali, popular among tourists, is frozen in anticipation of the eruption of Mount Agung. The evacuation from potentially dangerous areas of the island began on September 22 and affected almost 100,000 people. To date, the situation has not fundamentally changed.

The life expectancy of a volcano is measured in millennia, so waiting for its eruption in a few days or weeks is not such a dramatic event, the rosregistr portal informs. However, hundreds of thousands of Balinese who were forced to leave their homes as part of the evacuation felt this danger very well.

The eruption of Mount Agung on the Indonesian island of Bali is virtually imminent. According to the country's authorities, volcanic activity has reached a critical stage.

However, the Indonesian authorities emphasize that predicting exact time volcanic eruption is impossible. In Bali, the highest level of danger of the eruption of the Agung volcano has been declared for several weeks. Volcanologists have already recorded hundreds of tremors.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency, stressed that volcanic activity continues to increase, and seismic tremors are becoming more frequent.

“There is a certain probability that the volcano will erupt, but we do not know exactly when this will happen,” the volcanologists emphasize.

Volcanologists monitoring Bali's Agung Volcano say the danger of an eruption could persist for up to several months. It is also possible that there will be no eruption at all. And no one can say for sure.

"There are instances where there was some activity that went on for six years and it didn't always end in an eruption," seismologist Devi Kamil was quoted as saying by BBC News.

It should be noted that in Indonesia there are a total of about 150 active volcanoes. So, volcanic island Krakatoa was destroyed by a powerful eruption in 1883. Then about 40 thousand people died. Last time the eruption was in 2012, and the local volcanoes are still dangerous. Another one fiery mountain Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java erupts about once every seven years, with minor eruptions occurring every six months.

Last September, a terrible tragedy occurred in Mexico. But before people had time to recover from the earthquake, a new threat loomed over the country - the active volcano Popocatepetl. Because of this "smoking hill" (this is how the name of the volcano is translated), a red level of danger was declared, as it is highly active.

In addition, the awakened volcano Manaro threatens to destroy the island of Oba in pacific ocean. The authorities of the state of Vanuatu have already turned to the authorities of other countries for help, as they are not ready to cope with the current situation on their own.

Previously, seismologists have determined which volcano threatens to catastrophe on a universal scale. Magma bubble, according to experts, is located near Naples in Italy. The rocks of the Phlegrean fields can cause an eruption of catastrophic proportions. In Italy, there are also other dangerous volcanoes. Mount Vesuvius is still active, which caused the death of Pompeii in 1979. It last erupted in 1944. Another fire-breathing Mount Etna on the island of Sicily is the highest active volcano in Europe.

The highest volcano in Africa is Kilimanjaro. It last erupted about 200 years ago. Some scientists believe that he will wake up again soon. The risk of another eruption still remains in Japan, despite the fact that Mount Fuji has been dormant for three hundred years. One of the most dangerous and active is also the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, and now it is in its most active phase.

In recent years, the activity of a dormant volcano in Yellowstone has been increasing. national park in the USA. Scientists believe that it goes into an active state, and yet it is supposedly one of the most powerful volcanoes in the world.

The day before, experts also recorded an ash ejection on the Karymsky volcano in Kamchatka. The height of the pillar reached five kilometers. Most often, ash emissions do not pose a danger to local residents. However, seismologists still warn tourists against hiking in this area, and also do not recommend flying over the volcano. In August, a Russian cosmonaut managed to capture one of these emissions from space.

Explosive Indonesia

Every year, seismologists register about seven thousand earthquakes in this country. The number is certainly impressive. But don't let this fact discourage you from visiting Indonesia. The lion's share of tremors is recorded only by sensitive instruments. But, nevertheless, seismologists vigilantly monitor the activity of the bowels under the islands of Indonesia. After all, tremors can be symptoms of a much more dangerous phenomenon - a volcanic eruption. These mountains in Indonesia are truly deadly.

The situation with the Agung volcano in Bali and is it safe on the island now?

You will not believe it, but I am grateful to the eruption of the Agung volcano for cleansing the island! It has become so deserted, atmospheric, hellish traffic jams on narrow roads have disappeared, hotels and car rentals have fallen sharply in price. For example, in the east of Bali, in the Amed area, we lived next to the sea in a villa with a pool for 12 euros with breakfast for two. The photo shows a view from the terrace of our Bayu Cottages hotel overlooking the volcano. Maybe the Balinese themselves, in pursuit of money, will also remember the spiritual, the most important thing, since Agung sent them such a pause. Now is the time to feel the pulsation of the island, its atmosphere, as in the pre-tourist era.

I was here exactly a year ago, in December 2016 - there were a lot of tourists, although it seems to be off-season due to periodic rains ... In tourist places - a wild lifestyle, money flows like water, discos and revels until the morning. In 2017, the picture changed dramatically... I've been on the island since November 30, and all two weeks it seemed to have died out... The media did their job - exaggerated the danger as best they could, lied about the evacuation of tourists, that everyone here was covered with ashes, and will soon be covered with lava 🌋


Flying from Montenegro to Bali, I knew that the plane to Denpasar would be canceled because of the ash, as the wind was blowing towards the airport. During the flight to Jakarta aboard the Turks, I learned that it was finally being opened. It was a sign over 0 everything will be fine! The next morning we landed under the raindrops on Paradise Island, .


Do you know why I didn't trust the media? Since I myself live in tourist Montenegro, I am tired of their lies ... For example, because of joining NATO, Montenegrins fell out of love with Russians, show hostility, that visas will soon be introduced and it is not clear what will happen to their real estate. Nothing has changed at all! The brain must be turned on, and not watch TV, or read me, I immediately write a post on all relevant topics. The second topic of summer 2017 is fires in Montenegro. Allegedly, the whole country is on fire, tourists have been evacuated, it is dangerous to rest - this is what the Russian media said. Can you imagine what a stream of questions and panics from tourists I endured every day? Yes, the Lustica peninsula really burned for 2 months from 40-degree heat and winds, as did Bara district and northern regions. But not resorts of the country after all!


Therefore, my reaction to the panic of acquaintances before our flight to Bali was from laughter to nerves. All 17 days that I have been here and will still be 13, the air is clean, I have not been covered with ashes, the sea and ocean are warm, food and housing are cheap. Volcano no longer exhibits aggressive eruptions. And what will happen to him next - only Agung knows. Those who are interested in the topic of volcanoes in Indonesia, namely they created the country and there are about a hundred operating here, should read Mikhail Tsygankov, here. And even a volcanologist will not answer you whether everything has declined or vice versa. For example, at night there was an earthquake near the ocean coast and in the territory of West Java - 7.3 and 6.9 according to Richter. It's nearby huge island not comparable to Bali. Our Agung volcano reacted a little and there were even small earthquakes in the evening, but I did not feel it, although I live in this area. You can see the ring of fire with volcanoes and tremors. The photo of Agung at sunset is alien, nowadays, after the eruptions in November, part of the top broke off and fell into the crater

I advise you to relax and live a normal life, as the Balinese do


Catch fish, sow rice, harvest mangoes and rambutans

If you are going to new year holidays to Bali, you don’t know whether to fly or return tickets - I would fly. By the way, in recent days I have seen a sharp increase in tourists in Ubud, which means that the panic has passed. The Indonesian authorities assure that it is now safe to rest in Bali, especially in the south of the country, where the main resorts and large hotels are located, and the distance from Agung is at least 70 km.


Only local residents were evacuated for 12 km by building tent camps. It is near the mountain village of Besakih, which was evacuated. I took a photo the other day


On the map - the northeast of Bali and the area around the volcano, which is now in the danger zone, where the color is red - people were evacuated. I rested in the south in Canggu, in Ubud in the center of the island (they are not on the map), then - to the right of the yellow, now - to the left. Indeed, there are abandoned villages, a feeling of Balinese Chernobyl, but this is temporary, and this is not a mass tourism area, why should you worry?

Where there is a danger zone in Bali, there are signs. But entry is free.


We went to a similar place - to the Besakih temple at a height of 1 km on the south side of Agung - to the most important and largest in Bali. This magical place, wrapped in gray clouds, met us with a downpour. But we calmly go out of our comfort zone, enjoying everything everywhere. The atmosphere here is indescribable, one can feel a sacred place, although I am not a fan of other people's religious buildings, but Besakih made an impression


By the way, in the last eruptions of Agung in 1963-1964, the temple remained intact and lava passed a few meters from the buildings. The Balinese considered it a miracle! And when visiting any temples, men and women need to wear a sarong, you can buy it everywhere. Or tie a pareo around your waist.


Since this is an evacuation zone, there were only a few people there - and those locals who were trying to make money by renting an umbrella, selling coffee, water, and even extorting entrance fees, although they were not ushers 😉 But we are callous, we don’t respect extortionists ... Feel the atmosphere of the place on the video

By the way, now the entrance to Besakih is really free, so do not succumb to the provocations of the locals, and this is the only temple open to believers of any caste, any social class

The second temple overlooking the volcano is Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang. It is part of the huge Pura Lempuyang temple, if you wish, you can walk from the lower temple to the upper one through the jungle and more than 1700 steps (the path is described) is included in the canonical 6 of the most important temples in Bali. I advise you to go here early in the morning, we were at 7, as we lived near Lipah beach. And then clouds envelop the volcano ...


The split gates of Chandi Bentar symbolize the balance of forces in the universe, nature, life 🙏🌍 One half is good, the other half is evil, they are the founders of the energy of the Universe 🗺 We did not walk around the multi-level temple, there was no time. And this shot was not easy for us - persistent guys were waiting at the parking lot who extorted a “donation” without offering a ticket in return, tried to physically not let us in, spoiling the whole impression of the spiritual place and the Balinese😐 They threatened us with the police, chased, pulled my hands, but Andrey's broad back quickly put the impudent man in his place 😂 Despite a minute scandal, we quickly found this gate and this scoundrel did not touch the car either. I think that the donation should be brought to the temple itself, and not to the beggars on the corner 🙏 At 7 am there were already several tourists here, the girl even drew the gate of the temple, everyone took a picture of her notebook against the background of real Chandi Bentaryu. Volcano Agung opens from here in all its splendor, and it's not at all scary to look at it or be close, even when it spits a little 🌋

By the way, if a house in Bali is built according to the local feng shui, then the bed in the bedroom will definitely stand with the headboard towards Agung. True, in our hotels it wasn’t like that everywhere… Only now, when writing a post in a fishing village in the north of the island ✌Thus, at night, among all the people sleeping correctly, the effect of group meditation is created 😇 That is, even those who don’t even suspect about it meditate🤯So at night, the general field of the island is cleaned, your aura, and the vibration also rises - again, the islands and your personal.

To me, Agung with a slight haze from above seems a bewitching sight. For the first time, I lived with a view of a volcano, which, all the more, frightened the whole world. One interesting fact— The Balinese believe that Agung volcano is feminine😉 ⠀

Insurance in Bali - which is better

If you are flying to the island for the first time, the question will undoubtedly arise - Is insurance required in Bali? Of course, no one will check it at the airport, health is your personal responsibility. But with a sharp change in climate, malaise can occur, an allergy to some products will appear, do not forget that water and food are completely different here, which means indigestion. I went to Bali twice with my friends, and everyone suffered from this problem… Indonesia is a country with natural disasters, volcanoes erupt periodically here, and we got to this historical moment. If you want to travel around Bali on a bike, remember that there is terrible traffic on the roads, left-hand traffic and non-compliance with traffic rules. But the biggest danger is Dengue fever, you can play it safe by constantly protecting yourself from mosquito bites, but in the rainy season they can bite where you don’t expect - in a restaurant or in a spa.

I would recommend buying insurance in Bali from a company. Their assistance in Russia is Mondial, the most reliable company in the insurance industry, headquartered in Paris, recently renamed Allianz Global Assistance. This is the only assistance with an “AA” rating from Standard&Poor’s, it is he who will save you on the island in insurance cases, as well as pay for your treatment. You can check the price of insurance in Bali in this form by entering the flight dates and the country of Indonesia.

Our friend went to the Ubud hospital twice during the 1 month holiday in Bali - either she fell off the bike, then her dog bit her 😫 Medicine in Bali on good level, give all medicines, write instructions for use, take it for free (at the expense of insurance).

Video of Mount Agung erupting in Bali

Its height is 3142 m, and when it erupted in late November, the height of the ash with smoke was 4 km above it. I'll show you a couple of amateur videos from Russian guys who caught the spectacle

Someone even decided to go to the crater of the volcano, watch the video, it is from December 13th. Many who live on the island, and not on the other side of the TV screen, believe that the Agung eruption is a beautiful, mysterious and terrifying event at the same time. To be honest, I really enjoy being in Bali at a historic moment and I don't feel anxious or in danger. Only the sea, the sun, fruits, travel! What do you wish!

Airplane ticket Moscow - Bali, price

The peak season in Bali is summer and the New Year holidays, when the price of air tickets is the highest. It is best to relax here in spring and autumn - there is little rain, there are fewer tourists than usual. As you can see from the prices for air tickets to Bali, the prices are also lower at this time.

In contact with

The volcano in Bali, in addition to being a tourist attraction, plays a big role in the cultural and spiritual life of the Balinese. There are two volcanoes in Bali - Mount Agung and Mount Batur. Neighborhood with formidable giants could not but be reflected in folklore and fine arts. The volcanoes Batur and Agung also influence the daily life of the islanders and the climate of Bali.

Volcano Agung

Most high volcano in Bali rises to 3142 meters above sea level and is the highest point of the island. The name can be translated as " great mountain". Belongs to the type of stratovolcanoes. The crater of the volcano has dimensions of 500 by 200 meters. Located in the eastern part of the island. During the history of observations, the volcano erupted only 5 times - in 1808, 1821, 1843, in 1963-1964 and in 2018. Moreover, the eruption of 1963 was the most powerful and destructive and was accompanied by the convergence of mud flows from the slopes of the volcano.

According to some sources, crimson sunsets in Europe were caused by this particular eruption. According to rough estimates, about 2,000 people living near Agung died. In the 1980s, there was little activity from the volcano. In 2000-2001, thermal anomalies occurred at the foot of Mount Agung. On the this moment Agung is dormant, but this volcano in Bali is under the scrutiny of Indonesian volcanologists.

Volcano Agung also affects the amount of precipitation in various. Clouds coming from the West of the island are trapped by the slopes of the mountain and as a result this area receives more moisture. Due to this, the eastern regions of Bali are drier and hotter.

Volcano Batur

It also belongs to the type of stratovolcanoes and rises to 1717 meters. It is located in the northeastern part of the island in the Kintamani area and is one of the attractions of the island. The outer caldera (circus-shaped basin) of the volcano has a size of 10 by 13.5 km. and was formed 29,300 years ago during colossal eruptions. Lake Batur is located in the inner caldera of the volcano. The Batur volcano is quite active and the last major eruption was in 1968, as evidenced by the solidified basaltic lava flows.

The last significant activity of the volcano was observed in 2000, when a column of ash rose 300 meters. In 2012, UNESCO declared the territory of the volcano's caldera a Geological Park. For tourists who want to enjoy the stunning beauty of the view, a similar excursion is organized. The ascent, accompanied by a guide, will take only 3 hours. Also, a popular one is organized to the volcano, during which you can see Batur itself and other sights of the center of the island.

The significance of the volcano in Bali in culture and religion

In Balinese-Hindu mythology, the center of the universe, its axis of the universe is the sacred mountain Mahameru, which the Gods later split and the two most sacred mountains in Bali appeared - Agung and Batur. The Balinese believe that the peaks of volcanoes are the abode of the gods and deified ancestors, who descend to people several times a year (during the time) and then return again. All Balinese villages are oriented towards Agung, and the Balinese always try to sleep with their heads towards the top, since according to beliefs, the human soul is in the head and in this case it will be closer to the gods.

The patron saint of Mount Agung is Batara Mahadeva (in traditional Hinduism, Shiva), who personifies the masculine principle. The legends of the island tell that before the appearance of Agung and Batur, the island of Bali was a lifeless and barren plain. The legend is partly right - the island owes its fertile soil rich in minerals to volcanoes.

On the slopes of Mount Agung is the most important and revered temple in Bali - the "mother" of all temples in Bali. According to ancient Balinese texts, once every 100 years it is in this temple that the unique and most important ceremony of cleansing the whole world from sins is held - Eka Dasa Rudra. Such a ceremony was scheduled in 1963.

When in February 1963 the volcano woke up and began to make itself felt, the high priests began to claim that this was a very bad sign from the gods and the Balinese chose the wrong date for the ceremony. However, the then President of Indonesia, Sukarno, who invited a foreign delegation to Bali, ordered the ceremony to be held anyway.

However, already on March 18, explosions occurred and the active phase of the eruption began, during which a large number of people died. Although the Besakih temple was located on the slope of the volcano, it remained intact and the lava passed a few meters from the buildings. The Balinese found an explanation for this miracle in the fact that the Gods decided to take pity on the majestic temple. Although another temple, Pura Pasar Agung, was not so lucky and was completely destroyed. Bali's most significant volcano can also be recognized in decorations during ceremonies and festivals, when the Balinese decorate their doorsteps with a tall, curved bamboo pole called a penjor. This pole, bending under the weight of gifts to the gods at the end, repeats the contours of Agung and symbolizes him.

Lake Batur in the caldera of the Batur volcano is considered sacred by the Balinese and is one of the abode of the Balinese goddess fresh water Devi Danu, in whose honor the Ulun Danu Batur temple was erected (it is also dedicated to her in the Bedugul district).

It's believed that sacred lake feed 11 sources. The water from them then flows to other islands through underground channels. It is forbidden to swim in the lake, you can only fish and irrigate the land.

There are many legends about this. One of them tells how the king on the island of Java Sri Jaya Pangus and his wife Kang Ching Wi had no children for a long time. And the king decided to leave his wife and go on a long journey. After a storm, he was thrown onto the shore of a magical island. After trying to explore the island, he decided to meditate. To do this, he found himself a place near a beautiful and clean lake(Batur). When he woke up, he saw the goddess Devi Dana in front of him. The goddess seduced him and he stayed with her. After years of waiting, Kang Ching Wi's wife went in search of her husband. However, I found him in Bali already married to Devi Dana and with a child. Out of resentment, she ordered her guards to kill Sri Jai. In response to this, Devi Danu turned the king and queen into statues. The son became the heir to the throne and the dynasty continued to exist.

The second most important volcano in Bali is especially revered by. They live in isolation from the rest of the world in the village of Trunyan on a small strip of land. It is located between the Batur caldera and the lake. This tribe is known for burying the dead simply by placing them under a special magical tree. The locals explain their isolation with a legend. According to it, a Javanese prince fell in love with a goddess living in the branches of a huge Banyan tree. She agreed to marry him only on the condition that he did not bring anyone with him. And forbade him to show the way to the village. The Bali Agha believe that eruptions and other disasters are the cause of the spiritual pollution of people in Bali.

In the 2000s, after another volcanic activity, the Balinese decided to propitiate the gods. They remembered the catastrophic destruction in 1963-1964. For this, it was decided to hold a ceremony on the Batur volcano. It was attended by pilgrims from all over the island. The volcano was surrounded around by a multi-kilometer sarong (white matter) and a large number of offerings were left near the crater. After that, the activity decreased significantly and the mountain calmed down.

The volcano in Bali, like on many other islands of the archipelago, has always destroyed and created. Therefore, the islanders have always treated him with respect. They created an aura of divinity and majesty around him. It is very difficult to imagine Balinese culture and religion without Mount Agung and Batur. The modern development of geology and the study of processes in the earth's crust provides answers to many questions. However, for the Balinese, Bali's volcanoes are still sacred and inhabited by gods and spirits. This makes the culture of the island unique and distinctive.

How dangerous is a volcanic eruption in Bali (photo gallery)

Actually popular resort Indonesia continues the eruption of the volcano Agung. Some tourists leave the country, the authorities announced the evacuation of local residents. Photogallery DW.

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Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Emissions of lava flows



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

The highest point in Bali



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Paradise under the ashes



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

"Still Safe"



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Airports closed



Agung volcano eruption in Bali



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Magma and Ashes



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Precautions in Bali

• Agung volcano eruption in Bali

  ash cloud

  The eruption of Mount Agung in northeast Bali began over the weekend. As a result, nearby resorts and villages were covered with a thin layer of ash. Dark gray clouds over the top of the volcano were visible from the island's capital, the city of Denpasar, and even from the neighboring island of Lombok.



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Emissions of lava flows

When night fell, a bright glow from the crater illuminated the ash cloud that rose 6,000 meters above the summit of Mount Agung. It began showing signs of activity as early as September, prompting local authorities to raise the volcano's alert status to emergency and evacuate 140,000 people living nearby. However, later, on October 29, the danger level was lowered.



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

The highest point in Bali

Volcano Agung with a height of 3142 meters is the most high point islands. As a result of gas and ash emissions, the work of two airports was stopped at once - on the island of Bali and on neighboring island Lombok.



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Paradise under the ashes

Bali island - main tourist centre Indonesia. Beautiful ocean beaches, temples and lush forests attract about 5 million tourists a year. But according to Made Sugiri, a spokesman for the local Mahagiri Panoramic hotel, the number of visitors has dwindled in recent months: "We're out of the danger zone, but like other resorts in the region, of course, the eruptions cause an outflow of tourists."



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

"Still Safe"

Indonesia's emergency management agency says Bali is "still safe" for tourists. Agung's emergency status remained at level 3 over the weekend, one point below the highest alert indicator, the agency said in a statement. At the same time, despite a number of eruptions, volcanic activity remains relatively stable.



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Airports closed

Things were different with the status of air travel over the island - on Sunday, November 26, the level of danger here reached the highest - red - mark. Although many flights continued to operate, hundreds of people were stranded. As a result, the airport on the island of Lombok was closed first, and then the main international airport Ngurah Rai in Bali.



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Exclusion zone around the volcano

As a result of the latest lava eruptions, about 25,000 people left their homes. The authorities called on everyone inside the exclusion zone within a radius of 7.5 kilometers from the crater of the volcano to evacuate immediately. Mount Agung is one of over 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia. More than a thousand people became victims of its last major eruption, which happened in 1963.



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Magma and Ashes

Volcanologists described Agung's renewed activity on November 25 as a phreatic explosion, that is, an eruption with smoke evaporation caused by heating and expansion of groundwater. On November 26, the authorities said that, judging by the ash settling, a magmatic eruption had already begun.



Agung volcano eruption in Bali

Precautions in Bali

"Mount Agung is still spewing ash, but we need to watch closely and be prepared for a more powerful, explosive eruption," warns Indonesian volcanologist Gede Suantika. Soldiers and police are handing out protective masks to people in nearby villages and resorts.