BALINESE ODALAN

There are are many kinds of temple ceremonies, In Bali
The Balinese Temple ceremony is called Odalan, To say the least, its is difficult to imagine any where with more.
Regardless of its specific purpose, each odalan is a colorful spectacle designed to please their hindus deities. when odalan the hindus people meke Banten / Gebogan and many kind of balinese give.
A common feature is “muspa”, the basic balinese form of contemplative prayer. this is followed by reception of holy water ( Tirta ) and rice ( Bija ) blessed by Ratu Pedande ( High Priest ). after this important religious ritual finished, the odalan becomes more of a social occasion, whith Balinese dance like, Topeng Dance , Barong Dance, Rejang Dance, Calonarang, Drama, Comedy, Shadow Puppet and more art bali culture.

BESAKIH TEMPLE

A. Brief Information
The island of Bali is famous for a number of temples, about 11.000 temples; thus people call it as the “Island of Thousands Temples.”

One of the biggest temples and the mother temple called Besakih is located on the foothill of Mount Agung, the highest mount in Bali. The mount is a sacred place for people settling around it.

One story discloses about the origin of Besakih Temple. It said that the temple remained untouched when Mount Agung erupted on March 17th 1963 (other records mention the mount erupted on March 18th 1963), meanwhile the villages around the mount were all died. Such an outstanding fact seems to be out of sense as the temple is just one kilometre away from the mountain, but it really happened.

The word “besakih” is derived from ancient Javanese words “wasuki” or “basuki” that means salvation. Its existence, likewise, is often associated to a figure Basuki Dragon that is believed to be alive amongst the people settling around the mount at pre-Hinduism era. Because of its holiness, you must wear the Balinese sarong to enter the temple.

B. Distinctive Feature

Besakih Temple is a worship place consisting of 22 temples. Some ancient monuments of megalithic age such as Menhir, Tahta Batu and pyramidal terrace are the bases for archaeologists to assume that the temple finished being built in 1000 years.

The temple was built based on the concept Tri Hita Karana, a Hindu concept on the balance between human, nature, and God. The temple‘s structure itself was set as such, precisely faces to mandala (the west, south, east, and north), to represent the nature balance. There is a belief amongst the Balinese people that Catur Lokapala is the guardian of the temple. The biggest temple called Penataran Agung Besakih lies in the center point of mandala, and is an offering to Siwa.

Gelap Temple, which is east of Penataran Agung Besakih Temple, is a tribute to Iswara; while Kiduling Kereteg Temple, south of Penataran Agung Besakih Temple, is a tribute to Brahma. Ulun Kulkul Temple, which is a tribute to Mahadewa, stands west of Penataran Agung Besakih Temple; and Batumadeg Temple, north of Penataran Agung Besakih Temple, is a dedication to Wisnu.

Besakih Temple offers you the sensation of religious tourism. Religious ceremony is often held in the complex. One of them is Ekadasa Rudra ceremony that is held every 100 years. The last Ekadasa Rudra was held in 1979.

Likewise, you can watch the typical architecture of Balinese cultural civilization and numerous historical properties there. For you who love climbing, you can take an escapade tour to Mount Agung.

C. Location

Besakih Temple is located in Besakih Village, Rendang Sub-district, Karangasem District, Bali Province, Indonesia.

D. Access

Besakih Temple is north of Denpasar City. You can reach the temple that lies about 25 kilometres away from Denpasar City, the capital of Bali Province. Departing from Semarpura City, in the district of Klungkung, you can take bemo to reach the location. You only need to pay around IDR 5.000 (April 2008).

E. Ticket Price

The entrance ticket is IDR 7.000/person. For you who take a car, you must pay extra charge for parking area, about IDR Rp.3.000.

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

You are obliged to wear the Balinese sarong to enter Besakih Temple. If you do not have it, sarong rentals are there with reasonable prices. You only need to pay about IDR Rp.3.000 to IDR Rp.10.000. Tourist guides are ready all of the time for you who need more information about the temple with IDR Rp.10.000 for its cost.

Others supporting facilities are provided for the visitor. Large parking area, souvenir shops, hotels, and restaurants can be easily found around the temple complex.

TAMAN AYUN

Taman Ayun Temple is a Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire and it is located in Mengwi Village, Mengwi sub district, Badung regency and about 18 Km north side of Denpasar town.
It is strategically located beside of major roadway between Denpasar to Singaraja.
It is set on the land which is surrounded by the big fish pond and look like a drift on the water.
It owns the beautiful temple building with multistoried
roof and Balinese Architecture. The wide beautiful landscape garden in front courtyard to welcome all visitors who come and visit this temple. It is a beautiful place to visit on your vacation in Bali.

History
Pursuant to Papyrus Chronicle of the Mengwi (Lontar Babad Mengwi), the temple which is now referred by Taman Ayun Temple that it had been newly sanctified in the year 1634 M and it is named with Taman Ahyun Temple. The word of Ahyun is coming from from the root word Hyun meaning a temple is founded in the park (pool with the beautiful garden) which can fulfill the desire. The word Ahyun is then changed into Ayun word. Taman Ayun Temple is one of Hindu Temples in Bali become tourist destination which has been visited by many tourists from local and foreign. This temple is usually visited by tourist once having a set tour to Tanah Lot Temple due to this temple is the same route of the Tanah Lot Temple Tour.
Temple Position and Function
The function of Taman Ayun Temple is a place to pray the god in their manifestation. It is according to the content of Babad Mengwi and the existence of temple building structure, especially the temple that is located in third area (Jeroan). According to Astadewata, the special God is worshiped in Taman Ayun Temple is the God in manifestation as a Wisnu God which his palace located in top of Mangu mount. In papyrus of Usana Bali mentioning that one of Dewa Catur Lokapalas carry through its worship is Meru Pucak Pangelengan that is a temple building with 9 multistoried roofs. Pitara God is a holy soul deity of ancestor who is also referred as the other names of Hyang Pitara or Dewa Hyang. Pitara God is obliged to be worshiped by clan heir (Prati Sentana) in the form of temple ceremony which the same meaning as by the ceremony to the god. The worshiping existence to Pitara God in Taman Ayun Temple can be searched and proved by pursuant to the existence of temple building which lay in by consecution in east which is called Paibon that is representing Special Temple. Taman Ayun Temple in capacities or its status as special altar for the King family of Mengwi Palace or as a Merajan Agung from Mengwi King Families specially for the founder of Mengwi Empire that is I Gusti Agung Putu.