Gianyar, Regency

Pusering Jagat Temple
Just Like an Archaeological Museum

Pusering Jagat Temple is nestled in Pejeng Village, Tampak Siring sub district, Gianyar. It is located 800 meters above sea level and some 30 km to northeastwards of Denpasar. At Pejeng itself, this temple is also known as Kelod Temple. The area is cool considering that its location is on the high land nearly adjacent to mountain ranges.
Based on its cool and convenient location, the area was selected as the civic center of Ancient Bali. The word pejeng is derived from ‘pajeng’ that means umbrella. So, the word pejeng could be linked to ‘draping over’ or ‘protecting’. As the center of the Ancient Bali Kingdom, it is not impossible that Pusering Jagat Temple belonged to the kings of Ancient Bali.
On the decision of a defining interpretation seminar on Hindu religion (March 1981) rose a terminology Padmabhuana Temple namely nine Kahyangan Jagat Temple (Sanctuaries of the World) such as (1) Lempuyang Luhur situated in the east as the abode of the Lord Isvara, (2) Goa Lawah (southeast, as the abode of the Lord Mahesvara), (3) Andakasa (south, as the abode of the Lord Brahma), (4) Uluwatu (southwest, as the abode of the Lord Ludra), (5) Batukaru (west, as the abode of the Lord Mahadeva), (6) Pucak Mangu (northwest, as the abode of the Lord Sangkara), (7) Batur (north, as the abode of the Lord Vishnu), (8) Besakih (northeast, as the abode of the Lord Sambu) and (9) Pusering Jagat (center, as the abode of the Lord Shiva).
It is undeniable that Pusering Jagat Temple is a venerating place of Sang Hyang Siwa (Shiva). This was proven by the findings of some effigies as representation of the Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga and Ganesha (an elephant-headed deity). The ambience at the temple area is just like an archaeological museum. Since, there are tens of images remaining and other shapes that made of hard stone.
Outside the temple area, just ten meters away to the south can be found Kebo Edan Temple, Archaeological Museum, Relief of Pulu River and Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave). If we take a northerly direction, there is Penataran Sasih, Titi Api, Gunung Kawi Temples and many others. “If you are interested in ancient remains that have high historical value, do not forget to drop in at Pejeng Village,” asked AA Gede Putera, Chief of Pejeng Customary Village and former regent of Gianyar.
Pertaining to the role and function of Pusering Jagat Temple at that time, it was encrypted onto the inscription of Selat B that was written during the administration of the King Sri Kresna Kepakisan. Following the fall of Ancient Bali Kingdom whose civic center was at Pejeng, the inscription indicates that Balinese residents originally worshiped at the Pusering Jagat Temple. In further periods, this temple did not get any attention from the kings as successors of Sri Kresna Kepakisan, moreover when the civic center of Bali Kingdom was moved from Pejeng to Gelgel (Klungkung).
According to Ngakan Ketut Sama, a holy priest at this temple, pengempon (core devotees) of the temple comprises four hamlets namely (Intaran, Pande, Puseh and Gulian), while penangga (subsidiary) consists of 177 chiefs of household (KK) from Jero Kuta Customary Village, 100 from Pejeng Kangin and Pejeng Kelod Customary Village. But, should there be a grandiose ceremony, the other fourteen customary villages at Pejeng Village are ready to participate. They are Panglan, Belusung, Tarukan, Umahanyar, Malayang, Sawagunung, Klusu, Patemon, Tri Eka Cita, Uma Kuta, Uma Dawa, Cagan, Tegal Saat and Tatiapi.
There are two kinds of piodalan (temple festivals) for this temple, namely those that are based on pawukon calendar and sasih, lunar year. Those based on pawukon falls every 210 days (Anggara Kliwon Medangsia), while that based on a lunar year falls on the full moon of the karo (second) month of Balinese almanac (around August). Except for being one of Kahyangan Jagat Temples, this temple is believed to be a place where people request an offspring for childless couples who have been married for a while. “Most of the time, they pay homage in front of lingam-yoni statue. Many requests were confirmed but some others failed,” explained the grandpa holy priest. (BTN/Suambara)