Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

Silayukti Temple Stands in the Midst of Diversity

Silayukti Temple lays on a hilltop, beachside of Padang Bai. Padang Bai is a marine village and celebrated for its sea harbor that connects Bali to Lombok Island. As a marine village, the inhabitants of Padang Bai are extremely heterogeneous, either in terms of ethnics or the religion they practice.

With white sandy beaches this village has also developed into a fascinating tourist attraction in Bali. The large number of foreign tourists arrivals who come to and fro proves it and they seem to assimilate well with the local community. To reach Padang Bai village will take you some 1.5 hours from Denpasar traveling easterly or some 59 km.
History on the establishment of Silayukti Temple is inseparable from the existence of the Sage Kuturan. He was from East Java and arrived in Bali during the reign of King Airlangga in East Java (1019-1042). Sage Kuturan is one of five-brother priests who are known as Panca Tirta. It was they who made spiritual journeys across Indonesia up to the coastal regions in Bali.
According to I Made Sujana Sari, Secretary of the Principal Devotees of Silayukti Temple, temple festivals here fall every 210 days (on Wednesday Kliwon Pahang). Customarily, two weeks before the festival is held, the principal devotees of the temple have prepared ingredients for the offerings. Those who belong to principal devotees of this temple are the inhabitants of Padang Bai Customary Village, Clan Associate of Dadya Bedangin and Bedauh and Pasek descendant groups from all over Manggis sub district, Karangasem. “We prepare all needs for the offering rights at the temple,” he said.
It is said that Silayukti Temple consists of 3 main temples, namely Silayukti, Telaga Mas and Tanjung Sari Temple. The three temples are located in one complex. Additionally, there are two additional temples that are situated outside the complex, namely Payogan Temple at the beachside cave in the eastern Silayukti Beach and Segara Temple just on the beach of Padang Bai.
As a tourist destination, Padang Bai village has several facilities, ranging from hotels, restaurants, art shops, an information counter, parking lot and marine tourist area (diving) and so forth. (BTN/033)