The Hottest Spot in Bali Island of Indonesia

Taman Ayun Temple

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.

Nusa Dua Bali

Nusa Dua is an elite resort area with international five star hotels and resorts existing on the costal side in south part of Bali. It is located in Badung Regency and about 25 minutes drive from Bali's International airport. Nusa Dua with 350 ha size is the sample luxury resort area and one of best tourism places in the world. In fact, the name of Nusa Dua is coming from two small islands located in the south part of Bali Island (Nusa mean the island and Dua mean two) that is dissociated with the white sand.

History Nusa Dua Bali

Nusa Dua Area is start built in year 1974,as a result from study of French consultant, SCETO ( Societe Centrale pour l'equpeent Touristique Ouetre-Mer) in the year 1970 and also feasibility study conducted by PCI (Pacific Consultants International) year 1971-1973 for financing of World Bank aid. The Indonesian Government has delivered this area management to PT. BTDC (Bali Tourism Development Corporation) which existing under the law and regulation of Republic Indonesia Government no.27 year 1972, on 12 November 1972.

Tourist Places in Bali

This area owns the most complete tourism facilities in Bali and Indonesia like five star hotels, luxury accommodations, villas, convention hall, shopping center and beautiful beaches. The five star hotels exist in this area are Club Med, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, The Westin Resort, The Laguna Resort, Melia Bali Villas and Spa, Inna Putri Bali Hotel, The Ayodya Resort, Kayu Manis Villa, Nikko Bali Resort and Spa, The Bale Villas and Novotel Nusa Dua. There are also the sports activities are available in this are like tennis court, squash and golf course. Each hotel is completed by five star restaurant facilities, bar, pub and beach activities. Nusa Dua is an ideal place for holiday in Bali.

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is a Hindu temple set on the cliff bank in south part of Bali Peninsula. It is one of Sad Kahyangan Temple in Bali (six big groups of Bali Temples), located in Pecatu Village, Sub district of South Kuta, and Badung Regency or about 25 Km southerly part of Denpasar town. It is situated on the coral reef sordid to sea about 80 meters above the sea level. It is featured by a small dry forest which is mostly called by Alas Kekeran (interdict forest) which is belong to the temple and dwelt by a lot of monkeys and other animal. Name of Uluwatu was come from the word Ulu meaning the head and Watu meaning stone. Therefore Uluwatu Temple mean the temple built in tip of coral reef.

Uluwatu Temple in Story

In the right and left of temple building or Pelinggih Ida Bagus Ratu Jurit located in complex of Uluwatu Temple, there are two stone mangers that look like a boat. When both of it are united, hence it's look similar to sarcophagus, the famous stone from megalithic era culture. There is archaeology omission coming from 16 centuries in firm of arch or winged entrance gate. Winged entrance gate is one of the scarce archaeology omissions. Winged entrance gate that is existing in Uluwatu Temple (a period of its making) can be compared with the same one located in mosque complex in Sendangduwur Village, Lamongan, East Java. The period of its making is relevant with the year Candrasengkala found at this inscription. Candrasengkala founded in the mosque is written by the wording Gunaning Salira Tirta Hayu meaning year 1483 Saka or 1561 Masehi.

If the sarcophagus that existing in Dalem Jurit complex area represents the artifact, hence Uluwatu Temple represents the place sanctified since era of megalithic culture (About 500 S.M). In papyrus of Usana Bali mentioned that Mpu Kuturan (The Hindu Priest who spread out the Hinduism in Bali) had built a lot of temple in this island and one of them Uluwatu Temple. In papyrus of Dwijendra Tatwa has been elaborated that Mpu Kuturan had visited this temple twice those are:

1. The first visit when he conducts the Tirtha Yatra (the journey to visit the holy places). His heart had jolted and heard a soul whisper that place good for worshiping God when arrive in Uluwatu. On that time, he chose this place as a place for Ngeluwur (re of soul /dead leave without body to return to the origin/moksa). Pursuant to the consideration then he set mind to build the Parhayangan or extend the building of Uluwatu Temple which there have previously. When Mpu Kuturan extend the building of Uluwatu Temple, he build hostel as residence and then the ex- the hostel building is used by the local people as a shrine named the Gong Hill Temple (Pura Bukit Gong). The building of Parhyangan in Uluwatu Temple is done by Mpu Kuturan in the early 16 century after he lifted to become the Purohita (priest of king adviser) from king of Dalem Waturenggong commander in the year 1460-1552 .
2. Mpu Kuturan on his second visit has reached the nature Moksa. OnTuesday of Kliwon Medangsya (Balinese Calendar), it was witnessed by a fisherman, his name Ki Pasek Nambangan, he looked the flash with very bright light step into the space called Ngeluwur.

Implicit at papyrus Padma Bhuwana that Uluwatu Temple draw in the direction that is located in Southwest functioning to worship the Rudra God, one of the god in nine god (Dewata Nawa Sanga). Rudra God is the Deity Siwa as Pemralina or return to provenance. In this papyrus also mention that Uluwatu Temple is the Kahyangan World worshiped by entire Hindu people. Since this area is opened for public, it is visited by many people from all over the world because it has beautiful panorama with spectacular sunset and stunning view of Indian Ocean and deep the cliff bank. It is the perfect to visit in Bali.

How to Visit Uluwatu Temple?

It is very easy to locate the Uluwatu Temple where you can reach it by any kind of vehicles. There is a good road passing Jimbaran countryside and go the one way to this temple. Uluwatu is one of the most beautiful Hindu Temple and famous in Bali Island. You can do simple to join the Uluwatu Temple Tour with Bali Star Island to discover the whole story of this site and you also have a change to have Uluwatu Tour Package as your preferable choice on your vacation in Bali.

Jagatnatha Temple

Jagatnatha Temple is a Hindu Temple located in the center of Denpasar town. It is precisely located in Major Wisnu street eastside field of Puputan Badung. This temple is categorized as Kahyangan Temple and become an altar to the god for Hindu people. If it is compared with the name of Kahyangan Temples or other temples around Bali Island , this temple's name is taken from the name of mount or village which is relevant to the temple located in Besakih Temple area, Ulundanu Batur Temple area, Lempuyang Temple area, Andakasa Temple area, Puncak Mangu Temple area and others.

Jagatnatha Temple Story

Jagatnatha Temple is taking the special name which is not quit of various conception aspects. Among of the temples in Bali, Jagatnatha Temple is also opened by executing the small ceremony on 13 May 1968. The unique of Jagatnatha Temple does not own the Pengempon (the group of community who manage like the temple). Since the temple opening, Jagatnatha Temple only owns a few of people who arrange the fund to construct it until everyday ceremony. It is handled by Jagatnatha development committee with other Hindu people. In furthermore growth after Jagatnatha Temple has been built, the ceremony execution is handled by committee of Hindu Holy Day (PAHARA HINDU) who is the institutionally personnel which is pursuant to Local Bali Government's Decree. Those personnel of PAHARA HINDU are generally taken away from local government of Badung Regency and Denpasar town. Nowadays, the full of execution is handled by the government of Denpasar town. This temple is many visited by tourist from all over the word since this temple is opened for tourist destination.

Taken from  http://www.balistarisland.com/Bali-Interesting-Place/Alas-Kedaton-Monkey-Forest.htm