Universal Temples, the Castle of Bali’s Security

In terms of tourist’s perceptions, Bali is frequently called "the island of a thousand temples." This attribute is really logical, since wherever tourists travel, they will find the pura (temple) easily.
Throughout Bali ranging from the seashore to the mountaintop, temples look so magnificent and nowadays have become Bali’s tourist point of interest. The word pura is derived from a Sanskrit word, namely the root "pur" meaning castle. Pura is also known as kahyangan that means the abode of deities. Hyang has the same meaning as peak or top, and shining has the same meaning as that of deva. Balinese people believe that the planes of devas are located on the peaks or higher places.
In terms of its making process, pura is a purified place or deliberately made sacred and subsequently being kept for its sacredness. One of the requirements of making a sanctum according to the palm-leaf manuscript, Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan, is by setting up a boundary/fence/wall (castle) as a specific sign that also means to maintain its sacredness later.
According to the belief of Balinese people, establishing a temple in accordance with all guidance and ritual processions in which one of them includes the implementation of Deva Yajna concept (holy sacrifice to God). In the palm-leaf manuscript Tatwaning Kusuma Dewa described how to build a temple along with its complete ritual processions, so that one will obtain bliss in his life. Temples that are spread throughout Bali constitute a stiff foundation to protect the island and the people of Bali against various calamities.
In terms of its character, the temples (pura) in Bali are categorized into two kinds, namely Pura Kahyangan and Pura Warga. Pura Kahyangan (universal temple) is the temple that has general quality and is used as a worshipping place for the general public. While Pura Warga (temple of a clan) or also called Pura Kemimitan is used to worship ancestral souls that have been considered to be "Devas". Pura Kahyangan especially, in accordance with its grade, is distinguished into two categories, namely Kahyangan Jagat, and Kahyangan Desa. Kahyangan Jagat is a temple whose supporting devotees are from all over Bali, while Kahyangan Desa is a temple whose supporting devotees are limited to the inhabitants of its local village.
Those that are categorized into Pura Kahyangan Jagat are Pura Sad and Pura Dang Kahyangan. Pura Sad Kahyangan is the main nuclear temple that becomes worshipping place for Hindu devotees, namely Besakih, Lempuyang, Andakasa Temples in Karangasem, Batur Temple in Bangli, Batukaru Temple in Tabanan, Goa Lawah Temple in Klungkung, Uluwatu and Puncak Mangu Temples in Badung. While Pura Dang Kahyangan is a temple that has a relation to the pilgrimage of Hindu saints like Dang Hyang Dwijendra in Bali such as Purancak and Rambutsiwi Temples in Jembrana, Petitenget and Uluwatu Temples in Badung, Batuklotok, Ponjok Batu and Pulaki Temples. In addition, there are also some temples that become worshipping places of Hindus, but not including in Sad Kahyangan and Dang Kahyangan like Tirta Empul Temple at Tampak Siring, Penataran Sasih Temple at Pejang and Candi Dasa Temples.
Based on the decision of a seminar on the interpretation uniformity of Hinduism aspects that was held by Parisada Hindu Dharma, the existence of Kahyangan Jagat Temples in Bali are based on the conception of Rwabhineda, Caturlokapala and Sad Winayaka. The temples that are based on the conception of Rwabhineda are Besakih Temple as Purusha (male element), and Batur Temple as Pradhana (female element). Temples that are based on Catur Lokapala are Lempuyang, Andakasa, Batukaru and Pucak Mangu temples. While the temples that are based on conception of Sad Winayaka are Uluwatu Temple in Badung, Batukaru Temple at Tabanan and Puser Tasik Temple (Pusering Jagat) in Gianyar.
Every temple mentioned above has its own piodalan (temple festival) that falls every six months in accordance with the Balinese calendar. On the occasion of the temple festival, Balinese people from various villages all over Bali are present in great numbers to perform worship to appeal for welfare. Lines of people entering the temple and ritual processions are creating an exceptionally alluring view.
If you make your holiday in Bali, you can see this kind of colorful odalan ritual. Simply discover these ritual processions and comply with all the regulations and norms that are valid in the region.
Ketut Sumadi
Contributor of Bali Travel News

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