Up in the highlands, surrounded by mist, the lake is her home. Her name is Dewi Danu. And sometimes, just sometimes, she surfaces to sit on the ledge of her temple. Never does she not find a sweet-and-rice offering from her people. Her well-being is of utmost importance to all Balinese because if she is not well there is no clean water. And if there is no clean water there is no rice – and no life on Bali.
The Lady of the Lake is elusive, but those who have seen her say she is more beautiful (and more terrifying) than any other lady.
(Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Bali, Indonesia; August 2015)
