Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

Kahyangan Jagat Temple in Karangasem

Templea are sacral sites for Hindu’s. Rituals performed inside the temple are carried by local villagers. Karangasem Regency has many Kahyangan Jagat Temples; among them is Besakih Temple, Lempuyang Luhur Temple, Silayukti Temple and Andakasa Temple.
Andakasa Temple for example is located in Gegelang Village, Antiga, Karangasem. Feast days of this temple are done once in six months and maintained by Gegelang villagers. On the other hand, when ceremonies take place all Balinese people will come to pray. To reach Andakasa Temple it will take you 45 minutes to 1 and a half hours. From Amlapura Town going towards the temple’s parking site is about 31 km to the west side, and to reach Amlapura, it is about 78 km from Denpasar.
Lempuyang Luhur Temple is the Stana (adoring site) of Hyang Gni Jaya. The ceremonial execution is handed over to the villagers of Pura Ayu Abang Karangasem. However, the district government is responsible for each routine ceremony that falls once in every six months; (Wrespati Wuku Dungulan, 10 March 2005). To reach Lempuyang Luhur Temple you will need to climb because this temple is located on the top of Lempuyang Mountain 2.5 – 3 hours from the mountain’s ground level.
Besakih Temple is usually called “The Mother Temple”, which is about 61 km from Denpasar. This temple is already famously known by most foreigners and domestics. Based on District Regulation No. 11, year 2000, Besakih and its surrounding area was turned into a tourism object, supported also by Regent Decree No. 395 in 1999.
There are tens of other temples around Besakih, all based on the concept of Padma Mekar and Padma Kuncup. Padma Mekar concepts meaning the temples’ existence in Besakih basically follows the compass concept. To the north is Batu Madeg Temple, diempon (maintained) by the Bangli Regency. Gelap Temple (east side), diempon by Klungkung Regency, Ulun Kulkul Temple (west side) diempon by Gianyar Regency and, Kiduling Kreteg Temple (south side) diempon by Karangasem Regency. All Hindu’s devotee pray in each of the temples mentioned above.
Padma Kuncup concept means wherever Hindu’s devotee pray according to the Padma Mekar, they will unite to pray together in the temple of Penataran Besakih. (BTN/033)