HINDU TEMPLES
Temple and History
Bali is known as the island with thousand temple, and this is correct as almost at every place one can see temples. In general temples can be grouped as temple built by the king, by the village, and by families. Temples built by the king are those during ancient Bali kingdom from 10th to 1343 AD, and during 17th until 19th century. Biggest number of temples must have been built starting 17th century which can be said a group of temples for nature preservation, and kingdom status. Nature preservations are many such as wild monkeys preservation such as Kedaton, Sangeh, Ubud, and Pulaki. Ancient artefact preservation such as heritages of stone sculptures, royal park, and remnant of ancient art such as Guwa Gajah, Panulisan, Sibi Agung, Gaduh temple, and others. While kingdom status is a status claim that smaller kingdoms which was 9 in principle built at least 3 temples so as having the same status as Bali main kingdom of Klungkung. These temples are sea temple, temple at the palace called Jagat Natha, and temple on the peak of mountain. Having these 3 temple the vassal king claimed that ther satus is independent from main Bali kingdom.
At the level of village called desa, also built 3 temple as the status symbole of their independency called swatantra. These are the temple of Puseh, Desa temple an Dalem temple. Independent status of the desa has been acknowledged by the king since 10th century as mentioned by some king charters.
- Alas Kedaton located near the village of Kedaton, Kabupaten Tabanan
- Batukaru on top of Batukaru mountain 2671 m above sea level kabupaten Tabanan
- Beji at the village of Sangsit, kabupaten Buleleng
- Besakih Near the foot of Mt. Agung Kabupaten Karangasem
- Gua Lawah On the beach near Padang Bai port kabupaten Klungkung
- Kehen near the city of Bangli
- Penulisan north of Kintamani kabupaten Bangli
- Ponjok near Air Sanih beach kabupaten Buleleng
- Sebatu at the village of Sebatu kabupaten Gianyar
- Taman Ayun at the town of Mengwi Kabupaten Badung
- Tanah Lot at the beach of kabupaten Tabanan
- Tirta Empul at Tampak Siring village kabupaten Gianyar
- Ulun Danu on the beach of Beratan lake kabupaten Buleleng
- Uluwatu at the southern tip of Bali kabupaten Badung
Archaeology and History
Pura-pura yang mengandung bukti atau peninggalan sejarah secara umum, atau pura yang didirikan untuk melindungi peninggalan sejarah dan pelestariannya.
- Bali history in short from the first writing found until the independence of Indonesia
- Guwa Gajah rock cut cave showing first gate decor with demon face at the top and atylized creeping plants on the left and right of the cave entrance. Icon left in the cave show close relation with Buddhist hermitage actiivities during 11th century AD
- Gunung Kawi rock cut candis on the walls of Pekerisan river near Tirta Empul temple Tampaksiring. Historian relate this monument to the king named Anak Wungsu with his 4 wives during 11th century who succeeding his father and mother Udayana - Mahendradatta the most famous king of Bali from Warmadewa dynasty
- Kebo Edan remnant of what is believed as the monument of Tantrayana practrice with demonic and frightning characters shown as human skull necklace, cup of alcohol, curling hairs, and skull foot stool. It is estimated that this practice was done during 13th century when Bali was influenced by Kadiri kingdom East Java, although earlier indication of this left hand Buddhist thought is believed to have been presence in Bali during 11th century as proved by the sculpture of Durga at Kutri village Blahbatuh.
- Kerta Gosha known also as floating pavilion, as the building is surrounded with pool. The building is built in 17 th century AD by the main kingdom of Bali which capital city was Smarapura, today known as Klungkung city. The buliding is located in the heard of the city as the house of justice.
- Museum Bali located in the heart of Denpasar city on the side of city square known as Alun-alun. A complete display of Bali history and ethnographic artefacts from pre-history of to the classical periode.
- Brahma Vihara located at desa Banjar Kab. Buleleng the oldest and biggest Buddhist Vihara in East Indonesia although a fact that very fiew Buddhists in Bali today due to the lack of ritualistic and festive aspects of the religion
- Yeh Pulu relief-panels carved on the stone in the middle of rice field close to Guwa Gajah. The reliefs showing pictures of mandane human figures, aninals and daily activities, totally difference from tradition that any sculpture or drawing were dedicated to gods.