Dewi Danu

Dewi Danu is a Balinese water, lake and river Goddess. The form of Hinduism practiced in Bali is also called Agama Tirta, or religion of the water (source).

The "floating temple" of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, on the western shore of Lake Bratan, is dedicated to Dewi Danu (source). Built in 1633, the temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Goddess, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali (source). In Bali, besides supporting irrigated agriculture, holy water also holds power that can "cleanse spiritual impurities, fend off evil forces, and render the recipient immune to the attacks of negative or demonic forces."

"In Indonesian Hindu Dharma, the 4 elements of Nature, or panchamahabhuta (Earth, Water, Fire, Air) are used in all religious rituals. Out of those, Water is the building block of life and of all living beings that are at the mercy of [the] God[dess]" (source).

Dewi Danu original painting, based on statuary at the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. Original painting available through Saatchi Art. Prints and other merch available in shop or through RedBubble or Fine Art America.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple in Bali, Indonesia. (Source)

Dewi Danu is one of two supreme deities in the Balinese tradition. She also shares her name, Danu, with water goddesses across Eurasia, showing up in early Vedic literature and Celtic traditions, as well as in names of rivers such as Europe’s Danube River, Russia’s Don River, and Hungary’s Duna river.

The Vedic Danu was also a primordial water goddess, signifying ‘the waters of heaven’. She is identified in the Rigveda as the mother of Vritra, a serpent or dragon.

Another statue of Dewi Danu from Bali shows her emerging from a lotus on the back of a dragon.

It has been suggested that Danu, mother of dragons, was the inspiration behind one of today's popular TV heroines (source). Can you guess who?

Dewi Danu statue in Bali, featuring the goddess emerging from a lotus on the back of a dragon. (source)

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