The Island of Thousand Temples (50)
Besakih Temple the Upstream of Bali Island

Besakih Temple is the Kahyangan Jagat Temple or temple of the world having the most important position in Bali. In the lontar manuscript “Padma Bhuwana”, Besakih temple is stated as “huluning Bali Rajya”. It means Besakih temple is the upstream of Bali region. In other words, Besakih temple is the spirit of Bali Island in accordance with the location of Besakih temple to the northeast. Northeast is the mountain ward and the direction of the rising sun as the symbol of life.

Mountains symbolizes spring water, and east is the direction towards the point of the horizon where the sun rises. Without water and sunlight, no plants and other living beings can survive, while plants are food resources for animals and human. This means the direction of Besakih temple is the wellspring of welfare and fecundity of Bali.
At Besakih temple itself, there are several symbols that describe about life in accordance with what is taught in Hindu teachings. Here also lies the conception of human relationship to God, human to its fellow human and human to its physical environment. This conception is known as Tri Hita Karana, namely three relationships that create harmony of life.
Conception mentioned above is depicted in the form of ‘symbol’ of various buildings existing in Besakih Temple. For instance, how human beings perform bhakti, or devotional service to God. On the contrary, it’s how God pours out his gifts to human beings that have done their religious observance. All such processes are described into bhakti and sweca concepts. Bhakti means the process of devotee to get in touch with God in the shape of bhakti. And sweca means the process of God revealing gifts to his devotees that have performed devotional service (ber-bhakti).
The Tri Hita Karana teaching is symbolized by Padma Tiga that located at Penataran Agung of Besakih Temple (inner courtyard of Besakih Temple complex). This Padma Tiga shrine consists of three buildings in the form of Padma erecting on one altar. On this Padma Tiga shrine, according to Besakih Charter, God is venerated as Sang Hyang Tri Purusa (three divine supreme manifestation).
Padma shrine on the far right is used as a means to worship Sang Hyang Parama Siwa namely God’s manifestation as the spirit of Swah Loka. This shrine is usually covered with black fabric. Why should it be black? Since the highest world (swah loka) is not reached by sunlight, so it’s black in color. Black or green in Tri Murti concept is symbol of the Lord Vishnu.
Padma shrine that’s located in the middle position is the symbol of veneration to Sang Hyang Sadha Siwa. It means that God inspired Bhuwah Loka (middle plane) is symbolized with white colors. It is the symbol of akasa.
Furthermore, Padma shrine on the left is the symbol of veneration for Sang Hyang Shiva, namely God in his manifestation as soul of Bhur Loka with red fabric paraphernalia. In this Bhur Loka, God puts his creation in the form of Stavira (plants), Janggama (animals) and humans.
Therefore, the Padma Tiga shrine is used for means of respecting God with the spirit Tri Loka (Bhur, Bhuwah and Swah Loka). This causes Besakih Temple as Purusa (man) Temple in the concept of Rwabhineda temple (male-female). In the Rwabhineda (elementary dualism) conception, Besakih Temple functions as Purusa Temple, while Batur as Predana (female) Temple.
In the Tattwa (Hindu philosophy) concept is mentioned as the occurrence of the universe due to the coalescence of soul elements that is called Purusa, Temple and material elements are called Predana Temple. Thus, except for functioning as the temple that symbolizes veneration to God, it also functions as the soul of the universe, so it is called the upstream of Bali Island. (BTN/Ketut Wiana)