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Dang Kahyangan Gelang Agung Temple is situated at Buangga hamlet, Getasan village, Petang subdistrict. Various kinds of cultural heritages are found in the temple. It is estimated, the cultural heritages existing in the temple originates from the thirteenth century. The name of temple standing on ten ares of land is associated with various stories so that it is called Gelang Agung Temple. One of them is the discovery of bracelet-shaped objects made from bronze. Size of the bracelets is quite large with a slightly yellowish color. This bracelet and a number of small bronze bracelets were found around the temple area.

But unfortunately, none of those heritages are still left. Priest of the Gelang Agung Temple, Jro Mangku I Made Terum and priest of the Dalem Buangga Temple, Jro Mangku I Ketut Malen, said that formerly the local senior figures often showed those objects. However, it was not known where they were now. Until now, existence of the objects in the form of bracelets was not known including the preliminary evidence of the temple establishment. Surrounding communities only referred to the ancient stories. Approximately in 1997, when the excavation was carried out in the temple, it was found some objects such as perforated coins. They were still wrapped in leaves.

Surprisingly, the erythrina leaf used to wrap the perforated coins was still fresh. When the temple was first discovered, it was found a temple mound measuring one square meter. When excavated, there were various kinds of statues. It was estimated that under the temple was still kept many relics. Some of the relics are now stored in Gedong Arca. There are statue of Lord Vishnu riding a Garuda mythical bird, phallus and statue resembling a lotus flower that consists of three parts, namely the octagonal lower part, three-tiered rectangular central frame and the topmost part is circular sculpture surrounded by carvings that resemble lotus leaves.

When seeing the existing phallus building next to it, the building is possibly a symbol of yoni. If both symbols are combined, then they form a symbol of fertility. There are also Padmasana relic where at the upper end is found the figure of the year written in Balinese script and some stone fragments whose the upper part are made from rock stone and rectangular-shaped building. Various magical stories accompany the presence of the Gelang Agung Temple.

Jro Mangku Terum explained the structure of the Gelang Agung Temple was not much different from the other sanctums in Bali. There was a two-tiered meru shrine used to venerate Goddess Sri. Besides, the temple also had Grand Chamber shrine as the abode of Danghyang Dwijendra. In certain seasons, especially when the rice plant of Buangga residents was attacked by pests and diseases, farmers would come to worship to the temple and invoke blessing to save the rice plant. Meanwhile, piodalan or anniversary of the temple fell on Buda Umanis Julungwangi. (BTN/kmb)

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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