Klungkung, Ancient Kingdoms

Watu Klotok, Beach of Purification

Beaches in Bali not only present a magnificent view, but also contain mystic nuance. Beach territories in Bali that are surround by temples, where ritual ceremonies are conducted regularly, are : the Tanah Lot Temple in Tabanan, the Uluwatu Temple under the feet of Bali Island (southern Badung), the Rambut Siwi Temple in western Bali, and the Goa Lawah Temple in Klungkung (eastern Bali).

Watu Klotok Beach, located in Klungkung, apart from its beauty, spouts a spiritual and mystical verve. Watu Klotok Beach is located about 5 km from Semarapura to the south, or 35 km from Denpasar. When entering Watu Klotok Beach, a gorgeous farmland stretching for 3 kilometers on the right and left sides, welcomes your arrival.
Watu Klotok Temple is one of the greatest temples, a part of the Kahyangan Jagat Temple in Bali. The people revere God as His manifestation as Ida Bhatara Baruna, (the sea ruler) or Pesanggrahan, (as the resting place) of Ida Bhatara Besakih. Furthermore, the people believe that this temple as linggih pesucian of Ida Bhatara Besakih, according to the holy script “Raja Purana Besakih”.
Another script, “Dewa Purana Bangsul”, says that Watu Klotok Temple is also used for nangkluk merana (a veneration place, if the farmer plants’ in a rice field, or subak is attacked by the merana (pest). Currently, Watu Klotok Temple, being renovated and upgraded from 1.060,4 m2 to 1,248 m2, to give a larger space for people carrying out ritual ceremonial activities. On the 8th November 2003, will see the greatest ritual at this temple following completed renovations. A routine piodalan (ceremonial day) on 30 December 2003, will see hundreds people praying at the Watu Klotok Temple.
The temple attracts many people. For example, on tilem (dark moon) day, on the outgoing tide, a unique view appears which cannot be found at any other beach. Huge black sponge rocks can be seen at the southern part of Watu Klotok Temple, which is named by local people as pantai berdasar batu, (beach of rock basis). These rocks are the temple’s shield from tidal attack, and are connected to the temple’s name, “Watu Klotok”, or watu in Balinese terms, meaning rock.
According to Ni Nengah Teblun, a seller on Watu Klotok beach, numerous people of Klungkung visit the beach as a recreational site. This beach is more hectic on special days like Purnama (full moon), Tilem (dark moon), and Kajeng Kliwon – all occurring once in every 15 days. People who come on these special days are usually doing purification rituals by bathing on the beach and praying at the Watu Klotok Temple.
“Besides Klungkung people, other people from Gianyar also use the beach for recreation and purification rituals,” said Nengah.
The visitor usually comes between 4 pm until 7 pm, and between 9 pm and 12 at night for meditation and inner power practice.
Watu Klotok Beach is also used as a place to perform several ritual activities for Klungkung people and surrounding areas for purification rituals, melasti, and so on. Commonly, these activities are executed before Nyepi Day. At Teblun, Hindus from outside the Klungkung regency also use the beach for nunas tirta (bestowing of holy water) at the Watu Klotok Temple.
(BTN/033)