Bali Tourism News

Taman Ayun Temple Mengwi, Bali built in 17th century

Pura Taman Ayun has never forgotten by any sightseeing itinerary with the destination of west and north Bali. The temple is also used as a special place of events such as incentive program with Bali cultural night. With the temple architecture as background it is a real Balinese royal feast.

The establishment of Pura Taman Ayun is related to the development of Mengwi kingdom in 17th century. A manuscript describing the birth of Mengwi kingdom called ” Babad Mengwi ” gives a description that the founder of the kingdom I Gusti Ngurah Putu after succeeded in extending his emporium he built Ulun Danu temple on the bank of lake Beratan, than moved his palace from Balahayu to Mengwi and built Taman Ayun temple. The date of construction is expressed on a carved door with chronogram reads ” Sad Bhuta Yaksa Dewa ” means 1634 AD.

Temple Structure
As the common layout of temple in Bali, the area of 250 x 100 square meters is divided into 4 courtyards. On west side is the natural pool by constructing dam across the small river on the southern end of the temple area. The temple has been renovated in 1949 on the gates, split gates, walls and meeting hall, and pavilion called ” Bale Bengong” In 1972 all black fiber roofs were renewed, the last in 1976 was built the pavilion tower called ” Bale Kulkul ” and the roof of meeting hall was changed.

On the east side of the main complex there is a meru dedicated to the god of fertility, which is closely related with rice and irrigation, called : shrine of Ulun Suwi ” At one side of the east part is a shrine of the spirit warrior Pasek Buduk from Buduk village, a place around 10 kms from this temple site. The reason of the king building a worship to a spirit of Pasek Buduk, due to unending war between Mengwi and Buduk village area. Pasek was the resistant and strong defender and head of the village. Inspired by the bigger necessity to consolidate the kingdom Pasek wanted to subdue to the king by disclosing his physical weakness, and asked the king to build for his spirit a shrine in the temple, and appoint from 4 casts as the adoption of king children. The king agreed and adopted 40 children who then called the clan of ” Pasek Batu Bata”. It is mentioned that from the clan of Pasek Buduk and those adopted children had grown a strong garrison to support the glory of Mengwi kingdom. Mengwi is the second kingdom of Bali to control Blambangan regency ( now Banyuwangi in East Java ).

Total number of shrines and pavilions in the complex are 50 units. This shrines are not all dedicated to god or holy spirits but some are as ritual facilities, public hall, and decorations.

For Taman Ayun temple, the responsible principal is Mengwi palace assisted by the society in the area of current Mengwi Kecamatan administrative government. During the main ceremony people from outside Kecamatan Mengwi are usually coming for praying, especially those areas before under Mengwi kingdom.

Mengwi kingdom also built Puncak Mangu temple, a big temple behind the mount Mangu across the ridge of south lake Beratan, and Batukaru and Tanah Lot temple were supposed to have been built by Mengwi kingdom.

Source : www.balitouring.com

Add comment March 6th, 2007

Mas Village, Gianyar Regency own the Typical Style in Wood Carving

Mas Village has most fundamental identity as an artistic countryside by focusing in artistic of wood carving. Mas Village is located in Ubud sub district, Gianyar Regency own the typical style in wood carving art placing forward the distinguish synergy the humanism and naturalism. This Countryside popularity as a famous art countryside mounted in the national and world level and not get out of the highness name of some maestro which born, enlarged and find the spirit, taksu and soul have artistry in Mas village like big actor of Ida Bagus Tilem and others.

Mas Village is a place to visit in Bali
This Artistic countryside owns the long history root. Result of wood carving art in that countryside own the immeasurable and wide dimension like idol for the devoting (arca idol), representative dimension of everyday social Bali society life (farmer, fisherman, worker, intellectual, merchant etc) the abstract dimension as existing of actor imagination which listening carefully of reality, dynamics and life philosophy.

Dimension obtaining big Wight and extend is to importance of souvenir and commodity of local, national and international commercial. The Mas Village’s society are same as other tourism countryside in Bali, have also experienced of the transformation from agrarian society to the crafting society and nowadays continue to service society from commerce service until service of levying the souvenir for overseas and domestic tourist. Although fundamental identity of Mas Village is artistic countryside, nowadays also expand immeasurable of very important and potential cultural fascination and a tourism object in upstate of Mas Village is Rudana Museum. One from some museum monumental about Bali artistry, specially art painting. This Museum owns the very big collection, typically and collects several of high valuable painting.

Mas Village Location
The location of Mas Village is stay in the strategic position and reachable from the various angle. Related to the position of Denpasar town, hence location of Mas Village reside in about 15 km easterly go to the majors road to Ubud. Starting spandrel points step into Mas Village is Sakah, where there are a big baby idol which monumental. The Baby idol represent the symbol and representative of human being life early which is in belief and local wisdom very loaded with the philosophic value, religious and dynamism. In cognate of Balinese, baby represent the representative of fertility and early stage of human being species before human being enter the life cycle hereinafter.

Source : www.balistarisland.com

Add comment March 6th, 2007