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Kintamani
The villages of Kintamani and
Penelokan give a view of the active Mount Batur
and Lake. The caldera of Batur is impressive:
7 miles in diameter and 60 feet deep. From Penelokan,
a road leads to Kedisan on the shores of the lake
where boats can be hired to cross over to Trunyan.
This ancient village is inhabited by people who
call themsleves "Bali Aga" or original
Balinese who have maintained many of their old
ways. The Puser Jagat temple has an unusual architecture
and stands under a massive Banyan tree.
Bangli
Pura Kehen is situated in Bangli,
Bali's second largest temple. Three terraced courtyards
are connected by steps, and their balustrades
are decorated with carvings and statues. A large
Banyan tree with a tower shades the lowest and
second courtyard, while in the third courtyard
several shrines for the gods and ancestors are
found.
Klungkun
The former seat of the Javanese
Hindu Kingdom in Bali from where Balinese royalty
draws its blood line, Klungkung was the oldest
kingdom on the island and its "Raja"
the most exalted. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court
of Justice built in the 1 8th century, is specially
known for its ceiling murals painted in the traditional
wayang style pertraying punishment in hell and
the rewards in heaven and other aspects of moralities.
The floating pavillion, garden and lotus ponds
in this walled- in complex, located on the main
intersection of town are a reminder of the former
glory of this kingdom.
Goa
Lawah
Nine kms from Klungkung is Goa
Lawah or bat cave. The roof is covered with thousands
of bats and its entrance is guarded by a temple
believed to be founded by a sage nine centuries
ago.
Besakih
Known as the "mother Temple
of Bali, the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes
of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all
Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps
ascend through split gates to the main courtyard
where the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth
and decorated with flower offerings.
Around the three main temples dedicated to the
Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Wisnu, are 18 separate
sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and
caste groups.
To the Balinese, a visit to the temples sanctuaries
is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary
celebration or "Odalan". The sight of
the temple against the background of the mountain
is impressive and during festivals, coloured banners
add a touch of gaiety.
Menjangan
Island
This little island off Bali's
west coast is known for its beautiful coral reefs
found nearby and the wealth of tropical fish inhabiting
the waters around it.
The island itself including Terima Bay, are by
themselves worth a visit because of the beautiful
sceneries they offer.
Sangeh
Ten hectares of nutmeg trees
in the Sangeh forest abounds with monkeys. The
forest is considered sacred, sono wood is allowed
to be chopped here. Two temples stand in the middle
of the forest and another at the edge. As they
live in this sacred forest, the monkeys are also
held sacred and are rather tame, but it is advisable
not to play with them.
Tanah
Lot
One of Bali's most important
sea temples, the temple sanctuary at Tanah Lot
is built atop a huge rock which is surrounded
by the sea.
Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali
from Java in the 16th century, its rituals include
the paying of homage to the guardian spirits of
the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found at the base
of the rocky island are believed to guard the
temple from evil spirits and intruder.
The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late
afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.
Bedugul
The mountain resort of Bedugul,
18 km north of Denpasar, is known for its excellent
golf course. Located besides Lake Bratan, it is
surrounded by forested hills. A beautiful sight
is the "Ulun Danu" temple which sems
to rise out of the lake. The area offers good
walks. Boats are available for hire. Water skiing,
and parasailing is done as well.
The Bali Handara country club has bungalows for
rent and a restaurant.
Temple
The most important institution
in Bali, temples reflect the important role religion
plays in the life of the Balinese. A temple is
a place for communicating with the divine spirits
through offerings and prayers. On holy days, when
the deities and ancestral spirits descend from
heaven to visit earth, the temples, become centres
of activity.
Temple festivals are guide by purification by
the sprinkling of holy water. Whole communities
take part in these festivals, bringing baskets
of food and flowers for offerings. While pura
means temple, a purl is the residence of the local
prince, which may function as a cultural centre.
Music, dances, food, flowers, and fruits sacrificed
began as part of temple rituals to please the
gods and to placate evil spirit. Following the
caste system of Hindu and some of its other rites
and beliefs like reincarnation, one of the greatest
ceremonies are cremations, meant to liberate the
souls ready for rebirth. Burial is only temporary
to give the family time to prepare or waiting
more to have a common cremation with the community.
Tenganan
Protected for centuries from
the outside world by its surrounding walls, the
village of Tenganan has maintained its ancient
pre hindu customs through a strong code of non-fraternization
with outsiders. Here unique rituals offering dances,
and gladiator-like battle between youths take
place. Tenganan is famous for its "double
ikat" woven material called gringseng, which
is supposed to protect the wearer with magic powers.
Yeh
Saneh
A little further east on the
coastal road is Yeh Saneh an idyllic spot few
people know of. Only a few maters from the splash
of the surf is a cool freshwater spring around
which has been built a large pool and gardens
for bathers and picnickers.
Art
Centre
The Werdhi Budaya Art Centre
was started in 1973 and finished in 1976: the
largest and most complete in a series of cultural
centres built throughout the archipelago by the
Indonesian Government over the last decade.
Designed by Bali's foremost architect, Ida Bagus
Tugur, (also architect for Indonesia,s new National
Art Gallery) the vast complex is, apart from its
very real cultural function, a showplace for Balinese
Temple and Palace Architecture at its most opulent.
The open stage Arda Candra with its towering candi
gate and the almost rococo main Art Museum, sprawling
park, Balinese pavilions and follies have, become
a regular architectural attraction. Built on one
of the few remaining coconut groves in central
Denpasar, the centre has quickly become a busy
forum for the performing and fine arts. With three
Art Galleries and a host of stages, the Centre
is only rivalled by Jakarta's Taman Ismail Marzuki
as a venue for diverse and rapidly changing cultural
programs. Since 1975 the Centre has been home
to the islands Dance Academy (ASTI) a tertiary
level Conservatorium, Dance and Drama School for
traditional Balinese Performing arts. With the
islands Art Scholl situated next door, the centre's
seminar halls and exhibition space are devoted
to the encouragement and education of local art
students.
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