Klungkung, Ancient Kingdoms

Watu Klotok Beach, the Ritual Centre

Watu Klotok Beach (Klungkung) constitutes the centre of Hindu ritual activities, especially in Bali. Other than inhabitants of Klungkung itself, they are also from Gianyar, Bangli, Karangasem and other regencies. Even, small-scale rituals like self-purification and three-month ritual for the baby can be found on this beach at particular time.

The most frequent ritual activities held at Watu Klotok Beach is called melis or mekiis. Such ritual is commonly carried out by the celebration of Nyepi holiday or on the occasion of Dewa Yadnya ritual (homage to Gods and elementals). In the meantime, on the Galungan holiday, thousands of devotees congregate to pay homage at Watu Klotok Temple. Uniquely, prior to entering the innermost courtyard of the temple, Hindu devotees worship in advance at Segara Temple near the beach. On the following day, this beach is filled up again by thousands of visitors. They are from villages nearby for recreation.
Watu Klotok Temple is situated in the territory of Celepik Hamlet, Tojan Village, Klungkung sub district/Regency. It is only 5 km from Semarapura or 25 minutes drive by motorbike or car south of the city. Semarapura city is 40 km from Denpasar.
On the way to Watu Klotok, visitors or devotees will see stretching green rice fields before catching a glimpse of the blue expanse of the Indian Ocean. The temple sits quietly on the beachside of Watu Klotok. The phrase watu klotok consists of word watu meaning stone and klotok meaning sound. So, watu klotok then means shaking (sounding) stone.
According to palm-leaf manuscript Dewa Purana Bangsul, this temple was established by the King Kertha to appeal for fecundity and safety in the rice field (Balinese: nangluk merana). For that purpose, every year, on Purnamaning Kelima (this year, 16 November) is held Pengusaban ceremony.
In the meantime, the palm-leaf Raja Purana Besakih spells out that Watu Klotok is the selected place for Genah Pesucian (purificatory place) of Ida Bhatara Besakih. When Besakih Temple founded circa VIII century, at the time of burying the Panca Datu, Rishi Markandya saw a shaft of light coming from the beach. Later, it was also found a shining and shaking stone and then venerated by devotees that happened to cultivate the land in rice field. Thenceforth, when they appealed for fecundity for their field and protection against plant diseases, they would perform a ritual at the temple. To have a closer look at this ritual, visitors can come on the forthcoming Wednesday, 16 November. (BTN/033)