Bangli, Peace and Harmony

Kuningan Day in Bangli :
Ngerebeg in the Town Centre

The Kuningan celebration in Bangli is not very different to other regions in Bali. The ceremony begins from morning and the preparations could be earlier. Besides praying, Hindus in Bangli, especially those who live in town, do the Ngerebeg ceremony at night and in the town center of Bangli. Ngerebeg, which takes place at a city intersection, is also called catus pata. The tradition of Ngerebeg is held each Kuningan Day.

The Ngerebeg ceremony, as explained by Anak Agung Gde Bagus Ardhana, the Elder of Puri Kilian Bangli, is nedunang sesuhunan Barong - the downward procession of the sacred Barong from its pelinggih (palace), across the surrounding villages / banjars ending at the crossroads (catus pata). Ngerebeg is a ngelawang (traveling) activity for the local people, which is usually held in connection with the Galungan and Kuningan celebrations.
This ceremony pleads for security and prosperity and also to erase the negative characteristics in humans themselves. Karma adat (society) who live in Bangli Town do this ceremony simultaneously. It starts from each village/banjar that has a sesuhunan Barong, the procession being performed in their district from noon till night.
Bangli’s Ngerebeg is usually followed by four sesuhunan Barong of each duwe (sacral belongings) of the Dalem Purwa Temple. These are Barong-sapi, duwe Dalem Penunggekan in the form of Barong-ket, duwe Dalem Pegringsingan in the shape of Barong-macan, and duwe Dalem Pura Slaungan in the form of Barong-macan.(BTN/030)

Temples in Bangli Regency

There are many temples in Bangli Regency, the only region of its level in Bali absent of sea beaches, with its capital also known as Bangli, 40km northwest of Denpasar. Examples of temples are Pura Kehen, earlier known as Dang Hyang Api temple, in Pakuwon Village, Pura Batur in Batur Village, Kintamani, Pura Penulisan on the most northern part of Kintamani on the highway to Singaraja, and Pura Ulun Danu on its holy site on the bank of Lake Batur.
Kintamani resort, located near the peak of Mt. Batur, is rich in temples and natural scenery, and it is logical that the area has potential to have developed into a cultural, commercial and tourist center. Other parts of Bangli Regency, including its capital, have characteristics bringing about the development of culture, commerce, and tourism, of course with more institutional facilities marking its position as regency capital.
A team from Bali’s Museum and Provincial Archaeological Office has visited many temples on this island, including Pura Desa and Pura Kehen, to read out holy relics preserved there surviving from ancient times. Pura Kehen, probably established in the 12th Century AD, shows its extinguished beauty to visitors as they are walking to enter the temple, enjoying to the rows of statues standing in front of the holy building.
Today, people sometimes refer to Pura Kehen as Dang Kahyangan temple, housing an ancient manuscript, which tells the story of the change of name from Hyang Api to Hyang Kehen. Another place of interest in Bangli City is its Arts Center with its spacious gardens and library.
Pura Batur is a huge complex located on the highway from Bangli City to Singaraja, newly built after the collapse of the original temple which stood on lower ground near the Batur Crater affected by the eruption of the mountain 1926. All of its shrines disappeared under the mountain’s lava, leaving only the highest shrine dedicated to the goddess Dewi Danu. It was the second eruption of Mt. Batur, while the first took place in 1917 with a less crushing effect compared to the second. (BTN/005)