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Karangasem,
On the Wallace Line
Piodalan
Ceremony at Besakih Temple
Besakih
Temple is the biggest temple in Bali. It
is not just a single temple, but a temple
complex consisting of several temples spread
over 12 square kilometres. There are 18
massive temples, 16 Pedharman temples and
14 Catur Lawa temples. The largest temple
is Penataran Agung temple, which is surrounded
by 17 other temples. They are; (1) Pesimpangan
Temple; (2) Dalem Puri; (3) Manik Mas; (4)
Ulun Kulkul; (5) Bangun Sakti; (6) Merajan
Selonding; (7) Gua; (8) Banua Kawan; (9)
Merajan Kanginan; (10) Hyang Haluh; (11)
Basukihan; (12) Kiduling Kreteg; (13) Batu
Madeg; (14) Gelap; (15) Pengubengan; (16)
Tirtha; (17) Peninjoan.
 The
Piodalan (sacred day celebration) of each
these temples is detained differently. For
example, on Kuningan day, it will precede
the Piodalan ceremony at Ulun Kulkul Temple
as part of Besakih Temple complex, on Tumpek
Kuningan, Sanisara Kliwon wuku Kuningan
(Saturday, 28 June 2003). On this day, most
Hindus will gather to pray communally.
Short
Chronicle about Piodalan of Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple is located in Besakih Village,
Rendang Sub-District, Karangasem Regency.
Like other shrines in Bali, Besakih Temple
also has Piodalan ceremonies that are always
attended by all Hindus in Bali and even
in other regions of Indonesia.
The
Piodalan at Besakih Temple started to take
place in 9th Century. In 1007, Bali was governed
by King Udayana Warmadewa with his famed queen,
Queen Mahendradatta. By the king’s order,
people executed the Piodalan at Besakih Temple.
Even though it wasn’t clearly explained,
it strongly recommended that this praiseworthy
event take place in relation to the ceremony
marking the death of Queen Mahendradatta.
Two ancient scripts recording that event were
stored at Merajan Selonding Temple.
At the same time, a divine powerful priest
named Mpu Kuturan, spread his religion and
influence in Bali. Besakih Temple was arranged
and enlarged orderly. In memory of his contribution,
a small temple was built on the top hill of
the main temple and named Peninjoan Temple.
In 1343, the Great Prime Minister Gajah Mada
from the Majapahit Kingdom in East Java conquered
Bali. He visited Samprangan (east of Gianyar),
Gel-Gel (near Klungkung), and finally arrived
at Mpu Kuturan’s palace in Besakih. He
carried out a ceremony there, an event that
is recorded in the lontar manuscript ‘Raja
Purana’ which tells of the religious
ceremonies, names of shrines, and location
of Besakih Temple.
In the golden era of the first half of 16th
Century, King Dalem Waturenggong of Klungkung
along with the Holy Priest Dang Hyang Nirartha,
executed the greatest ceremony at Besakih
Temple. This came to be known as ‘Eka
Dasa Rudra’ which is recurrently held
once every 100 years. This ceremony had the
power to unite Balinese society who professed
different kinds of religion. For his merit,
Dang Hyang Nirartha was immortalized in the
form of the statue at Penataran Agung Temple.
In 1933 and 1960, the Panca Wali Krama ceremony
was carried out for the first and second time.
In 1963, Mount Agung erupted ruthlessly, coinciding
with the preparations for the second ‘Eka
Dasa Rudra’. The eruption caused a lot
of damage at Besakih Temple. In 1968 after
the restoration, the Ngenteg Linggih ceremony
was held to purify the new buildings and shrines.
Then in 1978, the Panca Wali Krama ceremony
was successfully done. (BTN/037)
See
Bali's Regencies :
Badung
: Taman
Ayun: A Temple Left by Puri Mengwi
Gianyar
:Tumpek
Kuningan in Mas Village
Bangli
: Kuningan
Day in Bangli : Ngerebeg in the Town
Centre
Klungkung
: ‘Dewa
Maseraman’ Ceremony at Pura Panti
Timrah
Karangasem
: Piodalan
Ceremony at Besakih Temple
Buleleng
:
Kuningan
Day in Buleleng
Jembrana
: The
Unforgettable Leko Dance
Tabanan
:
Ngerebek
: A Unique Ritual in “Dalem Kahyangan
Kedaton”
Denpasar
: Rush
to Sakenan on Kuningan Day |
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