Besakih - Mother Temple in Bali

Pura Besakih is not one temple but a vast complex of temples sprawling across the mountainside. For most visitors, the first impression is of the literally hundreds of delicately towering meru, their many tiered roofs of black palm-fiber thatching pointing skyward like a fleet of rockets awaiting the signal for lift-off. Pura Besakih is not a launch pad but a landing field for the gods.

The central temple in the complex, Pura Penataran Agung, is dedicated to the god Siwa. Pura Batu Madeg is dedicated to Wisnu. Pura Kiduling Kreteg is dedicated to Brahma. There are nineteen more temples spreading up the mountain slopes, each with its own purpose and ceremonial season, but the three dedicated to the Hindu Trinity are the most important.

Their orientation in relation to each other and the mountain is reflected in the three raised lotus-thrones, or padmasana trisakti, in the second courtyard of the Pura Penataran Agung, with Wisnu, Siwa, and Brahma sitting from left to right, though some say seats are not assigned.

History:
This temple was intentionally built in a holy village named Hulundang Basukih, which is known today as Besakih village. The name of Besakih was derived from the word "Basuki" or in some old manuscripts written as Basukir or Basukih. The word Basuki itself was taken from the word "Wasuki" on the Sunskrit, which means "salvation".

While in the mythology of Samudramanthana it is mentioned that Basuki was the name of a dragon that coiled around the Mandara Mountain. The old remains say that the BesakihTemple was built by Rsi Markandya and his followers in the 11th century. At that time, Rsi Markandya intended to go to Mount Agung to build a residence. However, the construction was troubled by the spread of disease which caused the death of his followers. For the safety of his followers, he then constructed a veneration to worship God for a salvation. The veneration was called "Sanggar Basuki".

Location:
The location of Besakih Temple or Pura Agung Besakih is at Besakih village, Rendang district, on the south west of Mount Agung. It is about 44 kms from Amlapura and 62 kms from Denpasar.

Facility:
Some facilities are available in this area to support the tourism activities in Besakih, like food stalls, fruit stalls and art shops. There is also a quite large parking lot and local guides who will always be ready to give their best service.

Description:
Besakih Temple is one of tourist objects which has its own uniqueness compared with other places. It becomes famous because of complex of temple established here, also known as the Mother Temple in Bali. Besakih which offers religious atmosphere was built based on the four directions.

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Gebogan - Traditional sesajen in Bali

There are various forms of sesajen offering ingredients according to localities and its functions producing various nomenclatures. One of the forms frequently found in Bali has been what is popular among Balinese as gebogan or pajegan, looking out as a cone. Material components used to prepare it are mainly fruits so as to create beautiful offering composition in accordance to the functions and the kinds of rites differentiated in those aimed at being used in temple ritual known as Dewa Yadnya or just at home (Manusa Yadnya: wedding, cremation, etc.). Even much gebogan cones, made of flowers or young coconut leafs, function to decorate ceremonies in hotels.

Gebogan in general consists of various leafs, mainly carved and composed in such a way as to render it attractive lookout, while colorful flowers and fresh fruits or fruits processed in form of specific Balinese cakes. Even rice is certainly an essential component part of the gebogan.

Hindu adherents (in general those of Balinese community) do not miss to include visualization of upward looking roasted chicken within zest to glorify visualization of the gebogan as one of ritual implements of religious traits in this Island of Gods. Growing up to three meters, it would not quite easy to install gebogan, especially for those people not yet acquainted with the job. Skill and experience would be a needy prerequisite for such workers, who could not even neglect the importance played by the role of aesthetic character. Such deployment of personal capabilities has been a prerequisite in realizing a complex process of making a gebogan implement.

Such complexity of work of producing gebogan could clarify why the job deployment needs female fingers in general to express not merely spiritual quality in the work but also to herald its ethics, aesthetics, grounded philosophy, as it has been represented Desa Adat traditional village in Bali, inclusive the village supporters. Villages having affluent crop of fruits or flowers would have dominant show of fruits or flowers of all sorts, etc.

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Taman Ayun Temple In Mengwi

The Pura Taman Ayun ("Garden Temple in the Water") is one of the six (according to an unofficial count) royal temples on Bali, and thus one of the most important temples on the island. This imposing complex stands on an island in a river, and the inner temple is in addition surrounded by a moat. In front of the entrance to the inner temple, beyond a split gate (candi bentar), is a large fountain basin dedicated to the rulers of the underworld.

In the innermost courtyard, which is entered through a covered gate (candi korung), are no fewer than 27 buildings of varying size and function.

The Pura Taman Ayun is one of the network of temples which covers Bali. Its importance can be judged from the fact that in this temple are venerated not only the divinities for whom it was built but also those who visit it on the occasion of festivals. Among them are the gods who dwell on Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur. An eleven-tiered meru (at the far end, in the right-hand corner) is dedicated to the rice goddess Dewi Sri. The third bale on the left is believed to be the abode of several different gods.

The Pura Taman Ayun was built in 1637, in the reign of Raja Gusti Agung Anom. It was given its present form about 1937, when it was considerably enlarged.

Visitors are ferried on a raft to two museum pavilions with pictures and models illustrating the Manusia Yadnya ceremonies.

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Taman Sukasada Ujung In Karangasem

Taman Sukasada Ujung Karangasem or Sukasada Park is a beautiful park with big fish pond surrounds the old Karangasem Empire heritage building which is used by the Karangasem's King for day relaxation or meeting place in their era. It is located in Ujung Countryside about 5 Km from Amlapura town.

This park is originally met one pool only which is very Ghostlike and very secret called by Di Dirah and this pool at the period of I Gusti Gede Putu King (1849-1893) governance with his brother of Gde Oka (1849-1890) that the around of this pool is functioned as place of exile for the man who alleged to run the black magic (leak). At the period of I Gusti Bagus Jelantik governance which start to lead the Karangasem Kingdom in the year 1909, this pool area is extended and developed by some pools and also luxury building Bale Gili with European style (modern style), later then it is given the name called Taman Sukasada/ Sukasada Park Ujung Karangasem, that is estimate made in the year of twentieth.

This park is strategically located in the coastal side, south part of Karangasem town and founding a lot of wellspring around the area. If seen from the history aspect, most of all omissions from Karangasem Empire both for Lombok Island and also exist in Bali, altogether area consisted by the pool and Gili building which is exist in the middle of pool like Mayura and Narmada Park which are existing in west part of Lombok Island.

We can say that this Sukasada Park as a mascot of tourist destinations in east part of Bali because Sukasada Park has been recognized until foreign countries since twenty's year and more famous again in the year of thirtieth when all foreign tourist start to pay a visit to Bali. King of Karangasem I Gusti Bagus Jelantik who is known as Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem is a Statesman, Man of letters as well as an architect. He has created a lot of building not even in the form of park but he also done some building which are exist in Puri Agung Karangasem (Karangasem Palace) like gateway which is looking like pagoda.

It is located in Ujung Countryside, south part of Karangasem regency or about 2, hours from Bali's International Airport. From Denpasar Town, we have to take the highway of Ida Bagus Matra's Street and go to the east part of Bali until arrive at Karangasem town. The journey will take about 2 hours and turn right to the south part of Karangasem town. Taman Sukasada is right located in the costal side with beautiful old building and the right place to visit during your vacation in Bali.

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Go To Gitgit Waterfall

Gitgit Waterfall is a beautiful tourist destination in north part of Bali. Gitgit waterfall is located in the plateau area with the height about 35 meters and it is surrounded by tropical tree and emits the constantly natural water debit during the year. Waterfall voice around the charming nature was amazing and it was the separate attraction which can be enjoyed by each visitor who comes to visit.

There are some plantations protecting the rain forest around the waterfall and in this place we often met the wild monkey to get the water from this waterfall.

Gitgit Waterfall is one of the famous tourist destinations in Bali which is located in Gitgit countryside, Sukasada sub district and about 10 Km from Singaraja Town or about 70 Km from Denpasar. It is set at height land about 300 meters above sea level. Beside of Gitgit, there is another important spot point like the monument for hero struggle of Singaraja resident who dead on the battle against the Dutch colonialist.

This monument is called Bhuwana Pangkung Bangka. This Monument is extant monument and idol of people struggle action against the Dutch colonization. This monument is located in Gitgit countryside and Sukasada sub district and about 17 Km from Singaraja Town . It is situated on the hill bank. The facilities are available at Gitgit Waterfall is consisted of the parking area, restaurant and art shop.

It is not far from the waterfall place, there is a place for taking a rest while enjoy the beauty panorama of rice terrace and Buleleng Beach. In order to visit the Gitgit waterfall, all visitors will follow the walkway down until the spot point. This road is one of the omissions in Dutch era where the local resident uses it to access other regions. On 1975, this waterfall is opened as tourist destinations in north part of Bali .

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