Seeking Spiritual Enlightenment

Whenever an emotional crisis strikes the mind, the way forward is very often sought in spiritualism. This is even more so the case nowadays as modernization, and the era of information technology has led man to further alienation from his inner self. To regain the harmony, many resort to the activities that offer spiritual comfort. This phenomenon has significantly swamped the tourism world and tours of spiritual tours have gained increasing popularity. Since early 1980s, a number of travel agents have aggressively offered packages of spiritual tourism, for example to Jerusalem and Lourdes for Christians, Mecca and Medina for Moslems and Tirtayatra to India for Hindus. For domestic tourists, tours have been prepared to visit Borobudur Buddhist temple and other Hindu temples such as Prambanan and Dieng, as well as to other believed-to-be sacred caves or tombs all over Indonesia. Bali, in this case, clearly ranks as the priority destination since its natural charm offers a great spiritual destination. Tourism proponents have done their best to promote this trend. Spiritual pre-eminenceTravel agents or hotel managements have arranged special locations for meditation activities, together with the necessary spiritual pre-eminence (meditation or Yoga experts) to instruct tourists on spiritual exercises. As Bali Travel News has observed, tourism areas in Bali that offer spiritual tours include Pacung - Bedugul, Belimbing - Pupuan (Tabanan), Pemuteran (Singaraja), Tampak Siring - Gunung Kawi (Gianyar) and Lembongan - Nusa Penida (Klungkung). However, according to the operators of spiritual tours and tourist impressions, the potential region for this sort of tour is Eastern Bali, particularly Karangasem as Besakih, the mother temple of Bali and the sanctified Mount Agung lie in this region. Karangasem also houses Lempuyang and other temples which Balinese classify as Khayangan Jagat (temple for homage to the universe). It is a well-known fact that Balinese community figures, governmental functionaries and entrepreneurs pray for blessings and stay awake all night long in the temple before undertaking any other important activities.Tourism proponents in Karangasem rely more on natural than other factors to anticipate the market trend that now demands more spiritual elements in the package offered. The tourism potential of Karangasem is in fact just as attractive as that of its neighboring regions.

BALI THE ISLAND OF GOD

Bali, The Island of the Gods Except for being renowned as the Island of the Gods, Bali is also frequently considered the last paradise by foreign travellers, probably including you who are now spending pleasurable holiday in Bali. This epithet is indeed logic and not excessive as wherever visitors go during the island excursion will easily encounter a pura or sanctum for the Balinese.Every nook and cranny of Bali, ranging from coastal territory to mountaintop occur grandiose temples and at all times hold earnest ritual procession, either in large or small scale. During the Galungan and Kuningan feast day, at the beginning of May 2006 for instance, atmosphere of temples and other holy places are extremely exceptional. Other than embellishing its edifices with colourful fabric paraphernalia, they are also festooned with ceniga (ornament made of young coconut leaf) portraying distinctive philosophical meaning. At temple’s middle courtyard are set up a couple of parasols, umbul-umbul, pennants and spears. In the meantime, at the outermost is erected a pair of penjor (decorated bamboo pole) representing the tribute of land crops and prosperity graced by Sang Hyang Widhi, the Almighty God.Every single temple has its own piodalan or temple festival in compliance with wariga almanac system in Bali. On the temple festival, the Balinese from all villages throng to perform worship to such temples and invoke safety. Procession of devotees on departing to temple and ritual series comes to be an immensely appealing spectacle. If you make a holiday in Bali, see the Balinese worshipping earnestly and hold the ritual from early morning to late night assuredly give new and unique experience to you. Exuberant ambience of the ritual and socio-religious activity of the Balinese comparably describes the atmosphere of the kingdom of heaven so then Bali is identical to the island of the gods.Pura is originated in Sanskrit word, namely the root ‘pur’ meaning castle. Similarly, pura stands for kahyangan meaning the abode of the gods. Hyang corresponds to pinnacle. While, that radiating rays is equivalent to deva. Balinese people believe that higher place or shining peak is the abode of deities and God. It is said that many foreign visitors having outstanding spiritual power can see many places in Bali spreading out glorious yellow rays and devout vibration. These spiritual tourists probably have introduced Bali as the Island of the Gods or the Last Paradise. You may, unquestionably, believe it or not. However, it would be very advisable if you try to experience it by yourself during your holiday in Bali such a hallowed vibration around the temple you visit.Process of making the temple according to guidance of palm-leaf manuscript Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan where a temple should be encircled by border, fence or wall (castle) as a specific marker and is also meant to maintain the purity of the location later. According to belief of the Balinese, establishing a temple along with its requirements and ritual order constitute one of the implementations of Dewa Yadnya (holy sacrifice to God) concept. Palm-leaf manuscript Tatwaning Kusuma Dewa expounds how one constructs a sanctum along with its ritual procession to get superior bliss in his or her lifetime. Temples spreading throughout Bali are vigorous alcazar to secure the safety of the island and Balinese people against various hazards.Temple in Bali is divided into two kinds, namely kahyangan and clan temple. Kahyangan temple is public temple used as worshipping place of the general public. While the clan or kemimitan temple is used for venerating ancestral soul being considered to have become a deva. Chiefly pertaining to kahyangan temple in accordance with its hierarchy is then divided again into two divisions, namely kahyangan jagat and kahyangan desa. The kahyangan jagat is temple of which supporting devotees originited in every nook and cranny of Bali, while kahyangan desa has devotees merely from the local villagers.Kahyangan jagat temple consists of the Sad Kahyangan and Dang Kahyangan Temple. The Sad Kahyangan is nucleus temple becoming the universal veneration temple of the Hindus, namely the Besakih, Lempuyang and Andakasa in Karangasem, the Batur in Bangli, the Batukaru in Tabanan, the Goa Lawah in Klungkung and the Pucak Mangu in Badung. Meanwhile, the Dang Kahyangan is the temple having relationship to the pilgrimage of the saints like Dang Hyang Dwijendra in Bali such as the Purancak and Rambutsiwi in Jemberana, Petitenget and Uluwatu in Badung, the Batuklotok, Ponjok Batu and Pulaki in Buleleng Regency. In addition, there are temples becoming the worshipping place of the Hindus but do not belong to the Sad Kahyangan or Dang Kahyangan, namely the Tirta Empul at Tampaksiring, Penataran Sasih at Pejeng and Candi dasa.Referring to the seminar on the Coherence of the Interpretation towards the Aspects of Hinduism held by the Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia, the existence of the Kahyangan Jagat in Bali is based on the Rwabhineda, Catur Lokapala and Sad Winayaka conception. Temples referring to the Rwabhineda conception are the Besakih as purusha (male element) and the Batur as pradhana (female element). Those that based on Catur Lokapala conception are the Lempuyang, Andakasa, Batukaru and Pucak Mangu Temple, while that based on Sad Winayaka namely the Besakih and Lempuyang in Karangasem, the Goa Lawah in Klungkung, the Uluwatu in Badung, the Batukaru in Tabanan and the Puser Tasik (Pusering Jagat) in Gianyar.Since the rapid growth of tourism in Bali, many temples have become attractive tourist objects. Other than location is far from hustle and bustle of business activities they retain magnificent natural view. Just take examples like Tanah Lot Temple in Tabanan, the Uluwatu in southern Badung, the Besakih in Karangasem, the Tirta Empul at Tampaksiring in Gianyar have become renowned temples around the world.Besakih Temple, the mother temple of Bali, perched on the foot of Mount Agung, including one of the wonders of the world. Tanah Lot and Uluwatu Temple are the magnet for tourists that like to see the pounding waves and offshore view while gazing at the sunset leaving for its beautiful berth. Tirta Empul Temple at Tampaksiring is a convenient place for self-purification while taking a bath at the shower having endless water flows. And, of course, there are many more nice temples to visit, including a couple of temples belonging to royal families in Bali that up to the present times remain to be well maintained. For instance, Taman Ayun Temple of the Mengwi Royal Palace is a tempting place and frequently selected to hold some tourism event like cultural dinner function.To enter the temple area, one should pay attention to some local orders, including you, foreign visitors. For example, every visitor should wear Balinese costumes. Women who are in their period, those in condolence (who having death within the family) and the disable or patient suffering from contagious diseases are not allowed to enter the temple. In the meantime, within the innermost courtyard of the temple, household mothers are forbidden to breastfeed their baby and all visitors should practice the tri kaya parisudha (three attitudes being sanctified composed of thoughts, words and deeds). For further details, your tour guide will explain more in accordance with local tradition as each village in Bali has a bit different tradition..