Uluwatu
Temple
Is one of Balinese Hindu
Temple located in southern part of Bali right on the cliff bank
with magnificent view of the Indian Ocean,Badung regency. It is
very amazing that this temple is built on the narrow peninsula with
crevasse under it. It own very beautiful view in particular of the
sunset time. There are group of monkeys live around the temple that
keep and protect the temple from the bed influence based on the
local resident's believes. Uluwatu Temple owns the history and culture
heritage that is one of the value and feature that many visitors
visit this place. Uluwatu as the best place for sunset in Bali,
and also in the afternoon we can see Kecak dance formance as regularly.
Temple history;
There is a story about Hindu priest from Java called "Dang
Hyang Nirartha" or " Peranda Sakti Wawu Rauh", full
of mystical episodes since his arrival until his disappearance in
Bali. One of Hindu teaching is the same as other religion that is
concerning the world after death or the "here after world "
This world is contrasted into two polarization such as Eden garden
and hell. For those devotee, a promise of all goodness and happiness
are there which is called "sorga" In the tradition of
Hindu in Bali it is said that the "sorga" is undescribed
by words, and undepicted with picture. Where truth is an absolute,
and body is embraced into it, so it only exist " enlightment
". But one can not enter the sorga with worldly body except
their holy spirit when he/she during the life had completed duties
and behaved as indicated by religious teaching. The other way one
can reach sorga by the way called "moksa". It is not quietclear
what is actually meant by the word "moksa". Many assumptions
arose. One thought it is a body sublimation, that one who has reach
his stage of moksa disappeared in the world without living his/her
physical body. This stage can only be reached with a severe body
control on senses while developing knowledge by meditation or hermitage.
Others thought that when a person dead, their spirit become one
with the absolute being, and will not experience rebirth ( Sanskrit
: samsara ) anymore. Since life is basically a punishment of sins
and misdeeds of their past life ( Sanskrit : Punarbawa ). So, actually
based on the last teaching human being during his life is stirred
to do the good thing.
Dang Hyang Nirarta is believed the one that
have reached such stage, and he accomplished his moksa on a spot
of land which is believed to be the sacred place. In this sacred
place then was built a temple called Ulu Watu. That was why the
place has been considered a very special place by the king in the
past. It is not only Uluwatu temple that is associated with Dang
Hyang Nirarta, but many temple such as Ponjok Batu at North West
Bali, Rambut Siwi in Negara regency and Sila Yukti in East Bali.
It is probably the claim from Hindu priest in the past that their
role in the society was unquestionable.
Other side of above story, one phenomenon
is certain during Balinese history that was during the disintegration
of period of Balinese kingdom ca. 16th century to 17th century many
small kingdoms tried hard to build their identification to at least
same as Klungkung. The foremost one was th temples. Each kingdom
would build one sea temple, one city temple, and one mountain temple.
There are 8 kingdoms still alive in Bali, when Indonesia announced
the declaration of Independence in 1945. Each of this kingdom had
their own 3 main temples at the level of smaller social unit such
as " Desa " another 3 temples are also built. Uluwatu
is belong to Badung kingdom, and until now the owner is one of the
palace heirs of Jero Kuta.
In Badung was divided into 2 kingdoms during
17th century, one the bigger is Mengwi kingdom covered almost bigger
part of Badung current regency and part of Tabanan regency, even
Blambangan regency in east Java which is now Banyuwangi kingdom.
Uluwatu was most probably built by Mengwi kingdom as sea temple,
at the same time as Ulun Danu as mountain temple. The development
of the kingdom later obliged Mengwi kingdom to give Uluwatu temple
to Badung kingdom, and Ulun Danu to Tabanan kingdom. Sortly after
1634 AD Mengwi again built other 2 temple, one is Tanah Lot as sea
temple, and other is Pucak Mangu temple in Pelaga area as mountain
temple.
Today is not only the area of Badung and
municipality of Denpasar feel that Uluwatu is their temple or as
Bali main temple ( Bali "Sad Kahyangan" ) but other areas
of Bali which were different kingdom in the past. The main holder
of the temple who daily look after it, and bear the responsibility
of the temple maintenance and ceremony is one of the king family
in Denpasar, under the regency of Badung
Uluwatu temple, visit dan kecak
dance , for further information: contact
us.
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