Kuburan Terunyan: Bali’s Open-Air Graveyard
A Village Where the Dead Rest in the Open
Hidden on the shores of Lake Batur in Kintamani, the remote village of Terunyan preserves one of Bali’s most unusual and ancient funeral customs. Practiced by the Bali Aga, the island’s original inhabitants, this tradition is believed to be over 1,000 years old.
Instead of following the rest of Bali’s tradition of cremating the dead in elaborate Hindu ceremonies, the people of Terunyan place bodies above ground in open bamboo cages, leaving them to decompose naturally in the open air. This practice is unique to the village, although similar customs can be found in other parts of Indonesia, most notably among the Toraja people of Sulawesi, who also honour their dead in distinctive ways.
This ritual reflects an ancient worldview about the cycle of life and death, where the body returns directly to nature, and it has remained virtually unchanged for centuries despite the island’s cultural evolution.
Crossing the Lake to the Cemetery of the Dead
Your journey begins with a boat ride across the still, dark waters of Lake Batur. The silence is almost unnerving, broken only by the sound of the motor and the occasional splash. As you step ashore, you’ll see the open bamboo cages holding the bodies, their faces uncovered.
Currently, there are 11 cages reserved for the recently deceased villagers. When a new body arrives, the oldest one, now reduced to bones, is removed to make space. The skeletal remains are not hidden away, instead, all the skulls are carefully arranged in a haunting display beside the cages, silently watching over the lake.
The village gets its name from a sacred banyan tree, known as the “Taru Menyan”, which grows beside the graves. This tree releases a natural fragrance that neutralizes the smell of decay, keeping the air surprisingly fresh, a living guardian watching over the dead.
How to Book Your Visit
For an authentic and smooth experience, you can contact Asti, who also runs the cozy glamping homestay Pondok Bali Volcano. She can arrange the boat trip to Kuburan Terunyan.
Price: 800.000 IDR (about €45) per boat, which can be shared by up to 8 people.
Contact: +62 831 1439 2235 (Asti)
Asti can also organize the Mount Batur sunrise trekking or jeep tour, as well as any other activities you might want to enjoy in the Kintamani area, offering a complete and personalized service for your stay.
For more information about Kintamani and night treks to catch the sunrise from Mount Batur, click Here.