|
World
Sanctuaries and Spiritual Tourism in Bali
Should
you be fond of spiritual healing on your
vacation, your choice to come to Bali is
a fortune. Since, the sacred vibration of
Bali Island, admitted by yogis and paranormals
who have been to Bali, can be easily perceived.
Those who have supernatural powers running
through the psychic field of Bali, believe
the abundance of puras (temples) along with
its varied ritual processions make the island
of Bali have a different magical power from
other islands all over the world. Some say
that the land of Bali is scented, some see
that the series of mountains in Bali glow
brightly, while some others confess that
as soon as they arrive in Bali they feel
immensely peaceful. Therefore, many paranormals
and spiritual lovers feel at home to stay
longer in Bali even some of them opening
their practices in Bali to do horoscope
activity on various levels starting from
predicting one’s destiny and way of
life, to a catastrophe that will occur in
2005 all over the world.
Bali
is identical to “the island of one
thousand temples”. If you happen to
be spending a vacation in Bali, no matter
wherever you go visiting tourism objects
you will find a temple, or sanctuary for
the Balinese, very easily. At every nook
and cranny in Bali, starting from coastal
area mountaintops, there stands a pura (temple)
grandiosely, now coming to be a major point
of interest of Bali tourism.
According to a Hindu figure, I Gusti Gede
Goda, the word pura is derived from the
word Sanskrit, namely the root “pur”
meaning stronghold. Pura is also called
“kahyangan” that means devas or
deities. Hyang equals a peak, the ‘shining
one’ is the meaning of deva. The Balinese
believe that the abode of devas is on the
top, or a higher place.
Pura is so special for the Balinese, so
on establishing it, the position should
be higher than other buildings. In terms
of its making, a temple is a sacralized
place. It means that it is deliberately
made sacred and later its sacredness is
maintained well. One of requirements of
making a holy place according to Sang Hyang
Kamahayanikan is by making enclosed borders/wall/fence
(strongholds) as a specific sign and maintaining
its sacredness further.
According to the belief of the Balinese,
establishing a temple along with its orders
and rituals constitutes one of the implementations
of Deva Yajna (holy sacrifice to God) concept.
In the palm-leaf manuscript Tattwaning Kusuma
Dewa is explained that one who establishes
a holy place completed with its rituals
will obtain bliss in his life. Temples that
scattered throughout Bali are rigid strongholds
that sustain the security of the island
along with its people from varied menaces.
The existence of pura, or temples in Bali
has distinctive characteristics that can
be distinguished into two kinds, namely
Pura Kahyangan and Pura Warga. Pura Kahyangan
is a public temple used as a venerating
place by the general public, while Pura
Warga or Pura Kamimitan is a clan association
temple that is dedicated to their ancestors
that are considered have become devas. Chiefly
pertaining to Pura Kahyangan in accordance
with its grade, is divided into two kinds,
namely Kahyangan Jagat and Kahyangan Desa.
Kahyangan Jagat is a public temple whose
devotees are from all over Bali, while Kahyangan
Desa is a temple whose devotees are restricted
to local villages.
In accordance with decision of the definite
interpretation seminar on Hindu aspects
held by the Hindu Dharma Parishad or Hindu
Council, the existence of Pura Kahyangan
Jagat in Bali is based on the Rwabhineda,
Catur Lokapala and Sad Winayaka conception.
Temples that are based on the Rwabhineda
conception are Besakih Temple as Purusha
(male elements) and Batur Temple as Pradhana
(female element). Temples that are based
on Catur Lokapala conception are Lempuyang,
Andakasa, Batukaru and Pucak Mangu Temple.
Then, those that are based on Sad Winayaka
conception are Besakih and Lempuyang in
Karangasem, Batukaru in Tabanan and Puser
Tasik Temple (Pusering Jagat) in Gianyar.
Those belong to Pura Kahyangan Jagat are
Sad Kahyangan and Dang Kahyangan Temple.
Sad Kahyangan are the main core temples
that are dedicated as venerating places
for Hindu devotees, namely Besakih, Lempuyang,
and Andakasa Temple in Karangasem; Batur
Temple in Bangli; Batukaru Temple in Tabanan;
Goa Lawah Temple in Klungkung; Uluwatu and
Pucak Mangu in Badung.
While, Dang Kahyangan Temples are those
that have something to do with the pilgrimage
of sage Dang Hyang Dwijendra in Bali are;
Purancak and Rambutsiwi Temple in Jembrana;
Petitenget and Uluwatu Temple in Badung;
Batu Klotok, Ponjok Batu and Pulaki Temple.
In addition, there are some temples that
are intended to become venerating places
for devotees but they do not belong to Sad
Kahyangan and Dang Kahyangan these are;
Tirta Empul Tampak Siring, Penataran Sasih
Pejeng and Candi Dasa Temple.
Nowadays, in the midst of rapid tourism
growth in Bali, there are many tourism facilities
like hotels and restaurants established
near these Kahyangan Jagat Temples. You
are certainly able to take a holiday whilst
perceiving the spiritual vibrations of Bali
Island. Your vacation will be comfortable
in Bali due to these sacred vibrations of
holy places and Kahyangan Jagat Temples
in Bali. Believe it or not, try for yourself!
(Ketut Sumadi Contributor of Bali Travel
News)
|
