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..

GALUNGAN DAY

Galungan Holiday in Bali

For the Balinese (Hindus), Galungan is paweton jagat (ritual festivity on the creation of the universe along with its contents). When was this macrocosm precisely created and how old is it now? No one knows it exactly! However, the Balinese celebrate Galungan just like they do on their birthdays in compliance with the Balinese calendar, and not by their date of birth. In addition, the celebration of Galungan conveys the meaning as the triumph of dharma (righteousness) against adharma (unrighteousness). Dharma and adharma are consistent with the day-to-day lives that involve proper and improper things.On Galungan day, the Hindu community offer oblations, either individually or together. The sacrifice is begun at Merajan (family temple in every house compound), then Merajan Gede (larger family temple) up to public temples. “By nature, such oblations consist of patram (leaf), puspam (flower), palam (fruit), toyam (water) and fire. While, the pork that is slaughtered on the day before Galungan, some is intended for oblation and the rest for consumption,” ,the Galungan celebration is considered to have come to an end.On the following day, Umanis Galungan is a mutual visit among families, neighbours and wider general public to maintain social relationships. This day is called nganyarin as a new day. Import of PenjorOne day before Galungan, a penjor is erected in front of the house entrance gate. "Penjor" (Pole) on the "Galungan" Festivity The Galungan festivity is invariably marked with the installation of a pole -‘penjor’- in front of the entrance gate of the house compound. Installation of this pole (‘penjor’) is meant to represent the reverence to the Almighty God along with His Ishta-Devata (Deities becoming the object of one’s special pious attention) abode at Besakih Temple. As a matter of fact, all Hindus in Bali will present offerings on this Galungan to Besakih Temple. However, due to carefulness and efficiency considerations, the maharishi in the past created the culture of ‘penjor’ –pole, that made it into a medium (uparengga) of the Hindu’s devotion to God along with His manifestation at Besakih Temple. The word penjor (pole) is derived from a Balinese word peenyor meaning pengajum or pengastawa or devotion. Accordingly, the meaning of penjor is a medium of devotion to the Lord Shiva along with His manifestation at Besakih Temple. On that account, making ‘penjor’- pole on the Galungan day requires particular requirements as it does not reveal merely an ornament. Elements of penjor are composed of: white fabric (symbol of Ishvara’s power); bamboo (of Mahesora); cakes (of Brahma); coconut (of Rudra); young coconut leaf (of Mahadeva); assorted leaves (of Sankara); tubers or fruits (of Vishnu); sugar cane (of Sambu); Ardha Candra shrine (of Shiva) and oblation (of Sadhashiva and Paramashiva). Penjor - pole for the sake of ritual interest can be distinguished from its shrine employed, namely taking the form of ardha candra (literally half moon) representing the sovereignty of Lord Shiva. However, confusion on installing the shrine of this penjor still occurs many times. Some install it facing the road, while the rest do it the other way around, mostly based on the interpretation of the one who installs it. However, according to some references, they suggest to install it facing the road.

Tourism Attractions in Badung Regency

Tourism Attractions in Badung Regency There are many places of interest in Badung Regency such as Dalung Sari Turtle Farm, Nusa Dua , Kuta Bali, Seminyak, Peti Tenget beach , Kedonganan, Tanah Wuuk , Pelage , Petang , Sangeh Maonkey forest, Nung nung waterfall, Waka Telaga , Ayung River Rafting, Uluwatu temple, Petitenget temple, Sadha temple and Taman Ayun temple. Nusa Dua. It means “ Two Island ‘ In bahasa Indonesia. This is one of the premier resort areas in the world. The area is located 20 minutes of the Ngurah Rai international airport , Denpasar and is a short drive to many of bali attraction and beauty beaches . This is the home of any of Bali’s world class luxury resort hotel. Jimbaran This area is just short south of Kedonganan beach and has a very beautiful white sand beach area and clear sea water that is suitable for recreation and relaxation. It is quieter that its neighboring beaches and one will find nice hotel and mostly sea food served at Jimbaran’s restaurant. Jimbaran is in fact famous for its delicious seafood, particularly its typical grilled seafood with jimbaran’s secret sauce. You have got to taste it is believe it. Legian Seminya , Petitenget Beach. These beautiful beaches are several kilometer south of kuta . Like its neighboring beaches. These offer a refuge for surfers there are also many facilities for tourist as the result of The kuta expansion . Sangeh Monkey forest Sangeh is the village whose northern part cover about 14 hectares of holy homogeny forest of ‘ Pala trees’ with hundred of monkey in habitants. The tree cannot be found on any other part of bali and their existence in this village remains a mystery. Look for lovely mossy temple , which is hidden amongst the tall and gracious ‘ pala ‘ tree. Ayung river rafting. The river Ayung is the longest and largest river in Bali. And along this river, white water rafting was first introduced in Bali. To experience rafting on the river Ayung’s west side is amazing, for besides the enjoyment of challenging rapids, the panorama of the beautiful intact nature area is highlighted by appearance of wild animals along the rafting route such as big bats, black monkey and more. Uluwatu temple At the westernmost tip of Bukit peninsula this is one of Bali None directional Kayangan Jagat temples. The location is dramatic perched on the edge of a high cliff with a picturesque sunset view. The temple was first used for worship by the 11th century holy priest, Empu Kuturan, who came to Bali to bring religious law and to form Desa Adat ( Traditional village ). The area where spectacular sunsets can be viewed is filled with the scent of frangipani blossoms and is also the home of friendly monkeys.