There are stories of Jatiluwih that are both historical and mythological, some are still told and to some extent believed today among the local community. One said folklore explains that Jatiluwih is derived from the word “jaton” and “luwih”, jaton meaning charm and luwih meaning good, so it can be interpreted Jatiluwih is a village that is filled with goodness, like a lucky charm. Another explanation for its name is that Jatiluwih was once a burial area of Jatayu (a mythology creature/ demi-god in the form of a Garuda bird). At that time, Jatayu was often also pronounced as Jatonayu, which somewhat sounds similar to Jatiluwih.
Because of its popularity in earlier centuries, there were many people with diverse backgrounds such as Brahmana, Ksatria, Wesia and Sudra visiting Jatiluwih from other areas of Tabanan. They also built some temples such as Pura Luhur Petali, Pura Luhur Bhujangga Waisnawa, Pura Rsi, Pura Taksu and other sacred places in the nearby area.
Once Jatiluwih began to become more recognized by visitors from abroad, the local community wanted to make the area more accessible to visitors while also making sure that it is protected from any potential negative effects of tourism. Jatiluwih village is now one of the traditional villages showcased as a tourist attraction and is overseen by the government.
Visitors can learn about the concept of agricultural tourism, rice terraces, the subak system, and join various activities of farmers in Jatiluwih. You can volunteer to be a farmer for a day by doing; hoeing, Nampadin (cleaning procession for rice field), Ngelampit (plowing rice field), Melasah (leveling the soil of the rice field), Nandur (planting the rice), etc.
Other activities include trekking, hiking and cycling through the rice fields when you visit the village, as it is a beautiful and refreshing experience. There are some cozy cafes, warungs, and restaurants with signature dishes that are sourced using fresh produce grown only in Jatiluwih.
Source : Jatiluwih – Rice Terraces & Subak Irrigation System (UNESCO) (bali.com)