Nikmat tak tertandingi

Wah, hari ini ternyata perkenalan lokasi di tempat trainee baru saya hanya sekedip mata. Tak ada 5 menit telah usai penjelasan yang diberikan. Mumpung masih pagi, saya dan teman berencana untuk pergi ke bandara, karena teman saya berencana mengambil slip gaji nya yang ke dua di Circle K. Namun kami pulang dulu dari hotel Inna Sindhu Beach tempat saya trainee untuk menganti pakaian. Maklum saya masih menggunakan layak nya enginering.

Setelah berganti pakaian kami pun mulai berangkat menuju bandara yang letaknya di Benoa, karena Circle lokasi teman saya bekerja berada di tengah bandara. Diperjalanan ternyata teman saya menerima sms dari rekan kerja nya bahwa slip gaji mereka ditunda hingga besok. Wah suda setengah jalan menuju bandara. Rugi rasanya jika kami balik kerumah.

Tidak seberapa lama handphone saya pun berbunyi. Ternyata telepon dari accounting hotel Nirmala di Jimbaran, yang menginformasikan kepada saya bahwa uang service komputer yang saya lakukan dua hari lalu sudah bisa saya ambil. Wah senang sekali saya mendengar nya, dan langsung saja saya meluncur menuju Hotel Nirmala.

Akhirnya saya menerima uang saya sebesar Rp 1.070.000,- . rasanya senang bukan main karena modal yang saya tanam sudah kembali hehehe. Saat kami akan pulang menuju rumah perut pun seakan bergemuruh akan hujan, kepala pening, yang merupakan alarm bahwa bahan makanan diperut kami harus diisi.
Di dekat lokasi tadi ada sebuah tempat makan cepat saji MCD, melihat harganya yang cukup mahal kami berinisiatif mencari makanan yang harganya paling murah. Maklum kami baru beberapa kali berbelanja di tempat seperti ini. Makanan yang kami cari pun ketemu, kami memilih makanan murah juga karena ingin sedikit berhemat. dan makanan penutup tak lupa sebuah ice cream chocotop yang menjadi idola kami. Panas yang menyengat menambah segarnya ice yang kami makan menjadi nikmat yang tak tertandingi.

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Kendaraan Langka

Sepulang saya dari membeli sebuah kit amplifier di toko Jadi jaya, saya melintasi daerah Renon sebagai alternatif cepat menuju rumah. Perlu diketahui saya membeli amplifier karena baru juga membeli DVD dengan maksud dapat mendengarkan musik dengan keras. Belokan pertama di jalan Niti Mandala Renon saya melihat banyak pasir, batu, dan gundukan tanah yang menghasilkan debu halus ketika melintasi jalan tersebut. Perlahan tapi pasti saya melintasi jalan aspal yang berisikan pasir halus diatasnya, dengan maksud motor saya tidak tergelincir saat menginjak rem sepeda motor. Tak jauh dari belokan tersebut ada sesuatu yang menarik perhatian saya, warna nya yang mencolok dan bentuk nya unik membuat saya terkesan akan design nya. Sebuah kendaraan, itu yang terpikir pertama kali karena benda tersebut memiliki roda dipinggir nya. Bentuk kendaraan ini sangat unik, banyak terdapat selang selang hydrolik yang berfungsi untuk menggerakkan semua bagian mekanik kendaraan tersebut. Kesempatan ini tidak saya sia siakan utuk melewatkan nya, "wah langka ni kendaraan, kapan lagi bisa liat yang kaya gini" begitu gumamku. Langsung aja saya mengeluarkan handphone K770i kesayangan untuk memotret dan mengabadikan kejadian tersebut.

Saya pikir sepanjang jalan tersebut akan diadakan pelebaran jalan mengingat jalan tersebut adalah jalan yang dihiasi oleh kantor kantor pemerintah dan kedubes Australia di denpasar. Wah jadi jalan disini akan menjadi lebih luas dan lebih nyaman. Jaga agar Bali tetap indah.

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Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua merupakan sebuah enklave berisi resor besar internasional berbintang 5 di tenggara Bali. Terletak 40 kilometer dari Denpasar, ibukota provinsi Bali.

Nusa Dua adalah lokasi Konferensi PBB tentang Perubahan Iklim 2008 antara 3 Desember dan 14 Desember 2007.

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Water Blow

Nama nya water blow (artinya tidak tahu hehehehe), lokasi nya di ujung daerah Nusa Dua Bali. Water blow ini seperti tebing curam yang terdapat teluk nya, sehingga ombak dari pantai selatan masuk ke teluk dan muncul dari celah bebatuan seperti air mancur. Akses menuju lokasi pariwisata ini dijaga sangat ketat karena lokasi pariwisata ini merupakan lokasi pribadi sebuah hotel. Anda akan melewati banyak kamera cctv dan pemeriksaan menggunakan metal detector. Terakhir saya berkunjung tidak ada pemungutan bianya untuk masuk, namun kini terengar kabar telah adanya pemberlakuan tarif parkir di area pariwisata ini. Selain Water blow, anda akan dihibur dengan pemandangan taman dan jalan setapak yang indah menuju water blow. taman taman yang indah ini sering digunakan beberapa rumah produksi untuk membuat film ataupun sinetron. Tapi pada waktu itu saya lupa memotret tampilan taman karena saya terpesona dengan tatanan tanaman dan air mancur yang serasi. Jika anda berkunjung ke Bali, saya sarankan anda untuk mengunjungi tempat ini. Saya jamin anda tidak akan merasa rugi. ^_^ berkunjunglah ke Bali.

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Patung I Gusti Ngurah Rai

Patung I Gusti Ngurah Rai ini terletak di dekat bandara Ngurah Rai. Berada di pinggiran jalan yang akan menghubungkan daerah Denpasar dan Nusa Dua. Saat saya dan teman bersepeda dari denpasar ke jimbaran, saya menyempatkan diri untuk berfoto dibawah patung I Gusti Ngurah Rai yang gagah ini. Tiap Hari jalan ini banyak yang melewati, namun hampir tidak ada yang mampir untuk sekedar melihat ataupun berfoto di patung pahlawan ini. Hanya pedagang koran dan pedagang asongan saja yang nampak menghiasi beranda patung ini. Waktu yang saya tempuh dari denpasar menuju patung pahlawan ini dengan bersepeda sekitar 1 jam. Lelah dan panas tak terasa karena banyak nya topik bahasan yang menghibur kami selagi mengayuh sepeda. Jika anda berlabuh di bandara Ngurah Rai, maka sempatkanlah berfoto di salah satu patung bersejarah di Bali ini.

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Memancing di Danau Buyan

Pada postingan kali ini saya menampilkan foto dimana pada saat itu kami siswa SMK 1 Denpasar khusus nya jurusan elektronika sedang mengadakan wisata ke danau buyan. Udara disana sangat dingin namun tak menyurutkan semangat kami untuk melanjutkan tujuan memancing.
Ada hal yang menarik pada saat kami memancing, disaat teman saya yang memancing ikan, banyak ikan yang didapat. Tapi pada saat saya yang gilirannya memancing, tak satupun ikan yang mampir ke kail pancing saya. Bergerak pun tidak, sampai umpan yang saya pasang hancur akibat lama terendam air.

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Ubud

Ubud is a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island's preeminent centre for fine arts, dance and music. While it once was a haven for scruffy backpackers, cosmic seekers, artists and bohemians, Ubud is now a hot spot for literati, glitterati, art collectors and connoisseurs. Famous names walk its busy sidewalks everyday. Elegant five star hotels and sprawling mansions now stand on its outskirts, overlooking the most prized views in Bali. Nonetheless, Ubud is still popular with backpackers, mystics and all the finest fringe elements of global society. Ubud is not "ruined". Its character is too strong to be destroyed. It still draws people who add something; people who are actively involved in art, nature, anthropology, music, dance, architecture, environmentalism, "alternative modalities," and more.

Ubud is arguably the best place to use as a base if you're visiting Bali; if you're looking for culture, comfort, nature and inspiration. Ubud is surrounded by most of the things that bring people to Bali -- scenic rice fields, small villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, palaces, rivers, cheap accommodation and unique luxury hotels. And it's central location makes it easy to get from Ubud to the mountains, beaches, and major towns.

Why peruse these web pages?
The real Ubud is under the surface. There are plenty of interesting things on the main streets, but most of the magic of Ubud is hidden away. In the backstreets, backwaters, courtyards and cafes. In people's hearts, minds, and dreams. This part of the Bali web site was built to show you how to go behind the facade and find the real Ubud, and the real Bali, without having to spend all your time searching for it. There's no point in repeating what's in the guidebooks, so we've tried not to. If you're interested in Ubud, there are at least a dozen guidebooks on Bali available and they all provide information on Ubud. Use this web site before you go to guidebooks, to find out what makes Ubud so special. Then use it after the guidebooks for up-to-date information, news and features about our extra ordinary town.

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Jagatnatha Temple

Jagatnatha Temple is a Hindu Temple located in the center of Denpasar town. It is precisely located in Major Wisnu street eastside field of Puputan Badung. This temple is categorized as Kahyangan Temple and become an altar to the god for Hindu people. If it is compared with the name of Kahyangan Temples or other temples around Bali Island , this temple's name is taken from the name of mount or village which is relevant to the temple located in Besakih Temple area, Ulundanu Batur Temple area, Lempuyang Temple area, Andakasa Temple area, Puncak Mangu Temple area and others.

Jagatnatha Temple is taking the special name which is not quit of various conception aspects. Among of the temples in Bali, Jagatnatha Temple is also opened by executing the small ceremony on 13 May 1968. The unique of Jagatnatha Temple does not own the Pengempon (the group of community who manage like the temple). Since the temple opening, Jagatnatha Temple only owns a few of people who arrange the fund to construct it until everyday ceremony. It is handled by Jagatnatha development committee with other Hindu people. In furthermore growth after Jagatnatha Temple has been built, the ceremony execution is handled by committee of Hindu Holy Day (PAHARA HINDU) who is the institutionally personnel which is pursuant to Local Bali Government's Decree. Those personnel of PAHARA HINDU are generally taken away from local government of Badung Regency and Denpasar town. Nowadays, the full of execution is handled by the government of Denpasar town. This temple is many visited by tourist from all over the word since this temple is opened for tourist destination.

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Rambut Siwi Temple

Rambut Siwi Temple is one of the biggest Hindu Temples in Bali located in Negara regency, west part of Bali. It is a beautiful Hindu shrine set in the cliff bank with wide Indian Ocean just in front of the temple. This temple has been renovated and moved to the top of hill for better location of worshiping to the god. Rambut Siwi Temple or local people call Pura Rambut Siwi is supported by the local resident including the maintenance, ceremony and other activities.

The local believe that every temple in Bali keep secret of holy including Rambut Siwi Temple. This temple owns the representative temple building which is set beside of main road from Denpasar to Gilimanuk. We can see all cars driven by local Hindu people will stop for a while in this temple for worshiping to get the god bless of securing during the journey. It is the same local people do at other temples in Bali like Gua Lawah and Pulaki Temple. The main temple located in cliff bank and blessed by the breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean. From the top of the cliff, we can see the old temple building on the ground and just in front of the ocean. Meanwhile the beautiful panorama of the blue Indian Ocean will add the impression of your experience. It is opened for tourist destination in west part of Bali and the right place to visit during your vacation in this island.

Rambut Siwi Temple is one of big temple in Bali located in Yeh Embang Kangin countryside, Mendoyo district and Jembrana regency. It is about 2.5 hours drives from Denpasar town go to the west part of Bali or 45 minutes drive from Negara town. This temple is daily taken care by a group of community which is called ‘Pangempon' come from Pekutatan district. It is simple way to reach this temple from Denpasar and just follow the main road to Gilimanuk. On the way to Gilimanuk, in particular of entering the regency of Jembrana area, you will find out a temple in the left side where most of the cars stop. Rambut Siwi Temple is visited by many tourists and it is one of the Tourist Destinations in Bali or Places of Interest in Bali .

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Sepatu robek, temani hidup

Pagi hari semua orang sibuk dengan kegiatan nya masing masing. Saya melihat dipagi itu sekelompok orang sibuk untuk melamar pekerjaan disana sini. Pada saat itu adalah waktu dimana siswa siswi SMA mendapatkan kelulusannya. Corat coret disana sini...

Saya sendiri sedang berdiri tepat didepan sebuah kantor pusan Circle K di Denpasar. Tampak beberapa orang yang masuk untuk melamar kerja, pakaian mereka rapi bersih namun ada juga yang masih ugal ugalan dengan berpakaian seenak mereka tanpa memandang sopan santun. Saya sendiri saat itu kebetulan dalam misi mengantar teman mengambil gaji pertamanya menjadi seorang penjaga toko. Hm... Semua pekerjaan pasti ada titik kesulitannya. Teman saya pun mengalaminya pertama kali, yaitu potongan gaji akibat ada beberapa barang toko yang hilang. Walau tidak banyak tapi jumlah tersebut sangat banyak mengubah bentuk raut muka nya.. saya merasa masih beruntung dengan pekerjaan yang saya tekuni.
Pekerjaan yang bisa dibilang santai susah, jasa service keliling. Bangun siang hari, ataupun bangun karena bunyi handphone yang mengisyaratkan saya pada tujuan saya (uang). Dalam keseharian saya, panas haus dan lapar di jalan sudah merupakan hal yang biasa. satu yang tidak bisa lepas dari diri saya, sepatu sobek ini. Karena sepatu sobek ini membuka pikiran saya terhadap tanggapan beberapa orang mengenai kemampuan dan penampilan. Saya tidak mengelak kalau penampilan juga perlu dalam berlaku bisnis atauapun usaha. Namun jika larut dalam pesona luar, biasanya kemampuan yang ada didalam diri seseorang tidak akan diketahui. Mungkin dipercayakan pun tidak.

Sepatuku, Temani langkahku...

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Danau Buyan

Wah.. pertama kali ni aku ke danau Buyan. Danau yang terletak tak jauh dari kebun raya eka karya di bedugul ini unik juga. Banyak orang yang menyempatkan diri untuk berwisata kesini. Tidak hanya itu, danau ini juga terkenal karena merupakan tempat pemancingan yang strategis. Air nya yang tak terlalu dalam membuat penyebrangan kapal kecil yang saya sewa dengan mudah meluncur ketengah danau. Ditengah sana telah tersedia seperti pondok pondok pemancingan. Namun jika anda berkunjung ke danau bunyan siap siap untuk berpakaian tebal, karena suhu di sini sangat dingin hingga menyurutkan niat saya untuk memancing dan memilih diam bungkam di lantai pondok hehehehe.

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Motor Mogok

Seperti biasa saya dan teman berkeliling kota Denpasar dengan mengendarai sepeda motor k*m*o milik teman saya. Saat itu panas menyengat karena waktu tepat menunjukan pukul 12 siang. Sebelumnya kami menyempatkan diri mampir ke toko King dan toko Anima, toko yang menjual alat alat musik. Teman saya membeli satu set senar gitar nylon dan satu buah pick up untuk gitar "bolong" nya. Karena merasa urusan telah selesai kami pun langsung saja meluncur pulang kerumah. Saat diperjalanan sepeda motor kecil kami dihadang oleh macetnya arus lalulintas, sehingga membuat laju motor teman saya menjadi tersendat sendat.

tidak terasa telah setengah jam di perjalanan, namun baru setengah jalan yang kami tempuh. Dan tiba tiba motor yang kami tumpangipun mati seperti kehilangan tenaga. Gas motor pun sudah diputar sekuat tenaga tapi tetap tak ada balasan tenaga dari si motor sehingga pada suatu titik si motor tak mampu lagi berjalan. Dan kamipun pasrah dan ikut ikutan tidak dapat berkata apa apa. Tangki motor yang terlihat penuh menyurutkan niat kami untuk mencoba menghidupkan nya kembali sekaligus juga memantapkan kami untuk mendorong motor itu hingga rumah.
Iseng saya bertanya pada teman "Dok (nama panggilan teman saya), motor mu sering mati kaya gini ya?" bgitu kata ku. Teman ku pun menjawab "pernah sih kemarin, tapi uda tak bawa ke bengkel katanya pompa bensin nya rusak... ya tak suru akal akalin biar mau jalan... jadinya ya mati kaya gini lagi dah". Huft...... mungkin memang nasib kami berdua mendorong motor kecil dan berat ini menuju rumah. Dalam hatiku berkata "tadi dapet ditrakti makan ayam betutu sama dodok jadi rugi dong kalo jadi nya harus dorong motor kaya gini" hahahaha.... ada ada saja pengalaman ku...
Bagi yang memiliki motor pribadi, sebelum berpergian jauh mungkin ada baiknya untuk melakukan pengecekan kondisi kendaraan agar tidak terjadi hal hal yang tidak diinginkan dijalan ok.

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Besakih temple

The Temple

In Balinese word, temple is called " Pura ", which might be quiet a new name for the sacred place, where Balinese praying. Historical facts such as various inscriptions clearly mention such a place is called " Hyang ". Now the word Hyang is used to refer the holy spirit of ancestor. It was correct that original believe of Balinese as well as all ethnics in Indonesia had the worship of ancestor's holy soul in various form of rituals. Thus when the name of
Hyang changed into Pura. It is an interesting question to explore, while formal source is not available, we can just understand in the level of theory.

When Indian influence spreading into South East Asia, the Sanskrit words become very special among the local. Many places were given Sanskrit name, such as
kingdom, people, king, and even places. One name for a city is "Pur" such as Singapura, Sukapura, Amblapura, and others imitating the name of cities in India such as Nagpur, Rajpur, Kantipur, and others. The development of cities in Indonesia started by king palace, except commercial centers such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Makassar, and others.

Hindu king from 11th century on, had been inspired strongly by Hindu tradition with it's Sanskrit language. The story about world salvation "Avatar" might have became real example of the thought inspiring the king status in the society and heaven. King Erlangga of Mataram kingdom in Java in 1019 AD mentioned in his inscription that he was the incarnation of god Wisnu, so did kings in Balinese ancient kingdoms. The king is the center of culture, and was considered the one who able to bring the prosperity of the emporium and it's society.

A thought among Hindu literature
is also mention that this world is divided into 2 parts, those are " Buana Alit " and " Buana Agung " Buana Alit literally means " small world ", while Buana Agung means Big world, or with most historian's terminology
Buana Alit is called micro-cosmos, and Buana Agung is macro-cosmos. The thought further asserted that Buana Alit has the character of Buana Agung, or is given the characters of Buana Agung. This small world is identified with human being, or miniature of the macro-cosmos. So that is said that human being also has got divine characters. Sanskrit language is very good in expressing this thought, since it introduced gender. For example
2 entities have the same characters with different nature such as one is powerful while the other one weaker, they differentiate with gender. Nouns with ultima [ a ] refers masculine gender, and with ultima [ i ] refers feminism. For example " Putra " means son, and "Putri" means laughter, Dewa means male gods, and Dewi means goddess, Santa means peaceful in the world, and Santi means peaceful in the heard, and so on. So it might be from this ever living thought that the concept micro-cosmos and macro-cosmos had given a strong inspiration of the kingdoms. The king than identified himself as micro-cosmos, as the the miniature of macro-cosmos, or as personalization of all-mighty. The king was born to save the world with the human being, and got the divine revelation. Due to his absolute power, and his autocratic style of managing the kingdom, he easily identified himself with the story of " Avatar " or in Balinese called " Awatara ". The story of Awatara mentioned that god some time need to incarnate into human being to save the world from corruption, tyranny, and natural catastrophe. According to the Hindu literature there had been 10 consecutive awataras during the world history, and the 11th is yet to come when the world will really need.

Departing from the inscription those mentions the king as the incarnation of gods we could not find the indication about when the Hyang was changed into Pura, since almost all inscriptions before 1345 AD still mentioned the temple as Hyang. Although a very strong indication was found in Cambodia during the 7th century that the king was personalized in a statue, so did their family for the worship. It was also in Java some old stone sculptures have been identified as the personification of kings, which mostly found in all Candis ( temple ). An ethnic ritual in Kalimantan called " Tiwah " give an indication how a person dead and given homage
by his family and a chieftain by his people. It was also in Pararaton a manuscript written probably during the 13th century mentioned about the ceremony called çraddha. The ceremony is for the dead king with, something like cremation ceremony in current Bali. Some inscriptions also giving clues to the thought that when a king dead his body or ash preserved in a candi, such as " the king is çinandika ..... means the king was rested at ......"Based on these
facts Dr. Stutterheim wrote that the ancient temples in Java supposed to be the co-memorial tomb.Archaeological excavations then was carried out at some temples, and was found like a pallets with 7 or 9 pallets. This is supposed to be the place of the king ash. But this opinion has been opposed by Dr. Soekmono on his dissertation " Candi It's Function and Meaning " that the temple in Java nothing to do with ash of a cremated king. He support his exposition with the tradition in Bali during building the family temple or other temples. He found that what is a sculpture of a king that was found in the temple, he asserted that this is only the symbol of king holy soul, while the ash was thrown to the sea or in the river. So he is against the idea of personal apotheosisme in Indonesia. So there is no indication that the king at that moment put himself as parallel with god. Based on above description it is not possible that the name of Pura was given by the king during the period of old Javanese kingdom or old Balinese kingdom the period that covers before 14th century.

If we see Balinese kingdom after the invasion of Majapahit on, since 1345 AD to 17th AD we found that the spirit of king as micro-cosmos was still alive, even in a more stronger sense. One of Balinese king in 16the century called himself as " Dewa Agung " a title is truly means god. " Dewa" means god, "Agung " means The Great. So it might be the concept of this
" king-god" thus grew fertile during this period. According to my opinion this thought was really developed and become the tradition of the palace. Since the king is the personification of micro-cosmos, as the miniature of macro-cosmos, then the palace is called " Puri ", and the temple is called " Pura " a two parallel entity with different nature. Since the king is the symbol of power in the world who full in control to the world and it's contents, while the god is the all-mighty and controls them all. So between Pura and Puri such a 2 parallel source of power.

Among various pura in Bali it can be grouped into : puras built by the king, pura built by the desa ( village ), and pura built by personal. In the kingdom there are at least 3 temples, one dedicated or located near the sea, one in the city ( near palace ), and the other one on the mountain( or near the mountain). While every Desa has 3 temples associated with Hindu Trinity besides many temples related to natural preservation such as irrigation temple, beginning of a river, and some considered sacred places.

Historical Record
There are many manuscripts mention about establishment, rituals, and the status of Besakih. This kind manuscript is called " Purana " The descriptions mentioned on the Purana mostly could be understood by human thinking, since many magical aspects were involving in the events. Relating to the establishment of the temple only one Purana giving description that is Markandeya Purana or is also called
Raja Purana. Beginning the establishment of the temple is full of magical events. It is said that Besakih temple was built by a Priest from East Java, and he was the first who put the "Panca Datu" base for the establishment of a temple. The Panca Datu is 5 elements to be buried under the basements to protect the construction from evil spirits.

See from archaeological remains which are still preserved in the temple, it must have been a very old site, as old as Shivaitic tradition in Bali, as a crude linggas, the symbol of Shiva is preserved in one of the shrines. As already been known the practice of Shivaitic sect was very wide in Bali, and until now the Hindu in Bali still has strong character in ritual aspect. If we try to see the Shivaitic practice outside Bali, we will have the clear prove that is Prambanan temple which was built in 9th century. At one of the temple complex is preserved a manuscript mentions Sri Wira Kesari, and the area was part of his palace. We do not have prove that relate Sri Wira Kesari with the king mention by stone pillar inscription of Sanur. It is true that the king mentioned by the inscription in Sanur named Sri Kesari Warmadewa, from 9th century.

Careful observation on the linggas has shown a strong megalithic tradition. It was possible the site had already been a sacred place since very much older, but in what form of temple architecture would be difficult to know. Since most of the ancient temple remains in Bali in the form of rock-cut shrines such as Goa Gajah, Yeh Pulu, Goa Garba, and others. One reconstructed ancient shrine is at Pura Pegulingan, Basangambu near Tampaksiring, but the shape is modern Balinese Padma Sana, and it is not possible to put lingga or sculpture in the shrine. It was probable that the shrines were made in perishable materials.

During the kingdom of Middle Bali from 1343 AD to 17th, a kingdom established by Mahapahit, Besakih was mentioned as main temple and it was probably during this period the temple was added and rebuilt with many new shrines. The palace
the beginning was located at Samplangan village near Gianyar, and later moved to Klungkung.
When Bali was broken into many smaller kingdoms, each of their king still considered king of Klungkung as the highest ruler in Bali, and claimed to have their origin from Klungkung. Since Besakih was a state temple of Klungkung, then each of the smaller kingdom felt obliged to worship at the temple. Each smaller kingdoms and the main clans of Bali built their ancestral temple ( Bali : Padharman Temple ) around Besakih area, so the complex has become bigger and bigger. According to the inventory made by Institute Hindu Dharma Denpasar, there are 18 temple complexes with total shrines around 202.

See from the name of gods worshiped in Besakih there is clear mixed concept between Hindu gods, local believe and ancestors' worship. While Pura Penataran Agung complex is considered the center of Besakih temple with 53 shrines. Here are concentrated the shrines of Merus with superimposed roof-tops up to the highest with 11 roof-tops.

This temple complexes is a real valuable heritage for Balinese not just the value of religious activity, but have built up the solidity and close affinity among Balinese Hindu, although in the past was broken into more than 9 small kingdoms. Until now these small kingdoms was maintained by Indonesian government by forming a local government based on the area of kingdom in the past. That is why Bali now is divided into 8 local government in the level of second under provincial administration. Although in fact one aspect has been made so complicated that is rituals aspects. Furthermore the purana associate natural changes with the incompleteness of the rituals aspects, or any shortcoming in elements of offerings, it is actually Besakih is most famous for their ritual compared to their architecture and historical values.

To have the idea some of the temple complex will be described in short below. This is only a short descriptions on name and main feature, while the real fact is very complicated and impossible to described within some pages.

1. Pura Pesimpangan Group. Located around 1.5 kms from center of Besakih with 4 shrines. This temple is used as temporary stop by devotees and god's symbols during procession to ask holy water, which is performed every year of Caka year
2. Pura Dalem Puri Group. Located just before the center, with 10 shrines and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Durga in Hindu Java tradition is considered the power of Shiva
as the god of death or returning living being into its origin.
3. Pura Manik Mas Group. Located 700 meters before the center and have 6 shrines, and is mentioned to be dedicated to Ida Ratu Mas Melilit. This figure might be ancestor's spirit.
4. Pura Bangun Sakti Group. Just on the other side of Manik Mas Group have 4 shrines and is the abode of Sanghyang Anantabhoga. Anantabhoga is often related to the rice goddess.
5. Pura Ulun Kulkul Group. Located around 350- meters before the center have 7 shrines dedicated to Mahadewa who rule the west direction
6. Pura Merajan Slonding Group have 5 shrines, and according to the manuscript preserved here this was part of the palace.
7. Pura Gowa Group, have 4 shrines, dedicated to the fairy tale of Naga Basuki serpent who resided the cave
8. Pura Banuwa Group have 4 shrines dedicated to Goddess Sri who is the goddess of the rice.
9. Pura Merajan Kanginan Group have 7 shrines, sounds like a family temple. It may be the family temple of the palace, since a shrine is dedicated to a Priest called Empu Bharadah
10. Pura Hyang Aluh Group have 7 shrines dedicated to Ida Ratu Ayu, sound like an ancestral worship.
11. Pura Basukihan Group have 10 shrines dedicated to fairy tale Naga Basuki serpent.
12. Pura Penataran Agung Besakih Group have 53 shrines. This is the center of the temple have Merus and 3 open shrines for Trinity, a real Hindu gods, but some priests still consider it as a Shivaitic character since they think that the open shrines is dedicated to God Shiva's aspects such as Siwa, Sadha Siwa, and Parama Siwa.
13. Pura Batumadeg Group. have 29 shrines dedicated to god Wishnu
14. Pura Kdiduling Kreteg Group have 21 shrines dedicated god Brahma
15. Pura Gelap Group have 6 shrines dedicated to god Iswara as the ruler of East direction
16. Pura Peninjauan Group have 12 shrines dedicated to Priest Empu Kuturan, an ancestral worship
17. Pura Pengubengan Group have 6 shrines. This temple is a temporary above or a place to " inform " other temple there will be a ceremony in Besakih.
18. Pura Tirta Group have 2 shrines, around 300 meters east of the center. Here is a water source. During the ceremonythe priest request the holy water here.
19. Pura Pasar Agung Group, located on the higher slope of Mt. Agung and is via Selat village, and is considered as part of Besakih.

Temple Maintenance
To maintain the temple in the sense of management a foundation has been established under the Center Hindu Assembly in Jakarta. The decision to manage the temple by Central Assembly was issued by Bali Governor by his memo no. 206/I/C/1968 dated 10 August 1968.
The foundation name is BESAKIH PRAWARTAKA Foundation. While the committee ( Bali " Pengempon " ) of the temple are those villages surrounding the temple, consist of 4 villages. According to the recordin 1976 these 4 villages have 3791 residents. Those villages are:

1. Banjar Besakih Kanginan ( East Besakih village )Banjar Besakih Kawan ( West Besakih village )Banjar Temukus ( Temukus village )
2. Banjar Simpar ( Simpar village )

For daily maintenance works these 4 villages are divided into 8 group which are in charge for each complex of the temple. So all 18 complexes of the temple are divided into 8 permanent working groups.

Religious Ceremony
There are various ceremonies which are conducted in Besakih temple. There are 12 ceremonies conducted every 210 days. This is based on Hindu - Java calendar which is consist of 30 months and one month consist of 7 days. Each temple complex has it's own ceremony based on this dates.

Special ceremony based on Çaka year is conducted 6 times a year. This ceremony is called " Ngusaba ", a kind of
blessing ceremony. At the other village temples in Bali this type of ceremony is also conducted in relation with rice harvesting, especially in the regency of Gianyar. During the Ngusaba ceremony in Gianyar there is a very long procession of girls dressed in Balinese traditional costumes, and women with offering on their head, followed with deafening sound of Balinese traditional musics.

A ceremony called " Betara Turun Kabeh " is conducted every year. " Betara Turun Kabeh " means all gods are presence. This is the biggest yearly ceremony. While a ceremony every 10 years called " Paca Wali Krama", and a ceremony every 100 years called " Eka Dasa Rudra". All dates for above ceremony can be known in December for the following year, when Bali calendar has been issued. Normally Bali calendar already at the shop latest by December every year.

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Bedugul in Bali

If we type "bedugul" in Google, almost certain will lead to travel pages describing the small town called Bedugul on the northern part of Bali island, famous for its beautiful and charming temple, the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (or Beratan, to some people). It is a mountain area, and Danu which means lake, is actually a big crater.

Pura means temple. The temple of Ulun Danu, on Lake Bratan, built in 1633 by the King of Mengwi, is identified as the `mother` temple of all the subak system (read below this section about subak) on the island and some subak associations make regular pilgrimages to this sanctuary immediately prior to irrigating their rice fields. There are also countless small, roofless shrines (bedugul), which are commonly found in cultivated areas, typically beside a dam or weir.

To put it simple, bedugul is a (small) shrine on rice fields (sawah), within a subak system. It could be said that there are many beduguls in Bali, but only one town named Bedugul, about 1 to 2 hours drive up north from Denpasar, on the way to Singaraja.

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Jalan Raya Batubulan

Jika anda pergi dari denpasar menuju ubud gianyar, maka anda akan melewati jalan yang membentang dari selatan ke utara yaitu jalan raya batubulan. Jalan ini memberikan hiburan tersendiri untuk anda, karena dijalan ini anda akan melihat banyak sekali patung patung dan kesenian pahat dari batu. Kabupaten Gianyar khususnya desa Batubulan memang sudah terkenal dengan kerajinan patungnnya. Walaupun dipinggiran jalan banyak yang menjual patung beraneka rupa, namun masih banyak juga penduduk asli desa Batubulan yang bekerja keluar daerah ataupun bertani. Jika anda berkunjung ke Bali, sempatkan lah untuk melewati jalan raya batubulan yang terletak diselatan perbatasan kabupaten gianyar dan Denpasar.

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