More than 20,000 temples are scattered all over the island of Bali. All these temples are linked one and another create hundreds of temple networks based on the function of the temple and the clan of their congregation (network of clan temple). Each network has a central temple from which the network starts. The central temples can be everywhere; they are not localized in one area.

The function based temple networks involves only functional temples, or temple of professions, such as Melanting temple (temple of the trader), Ulun Suwi or Ulun Carik Temple – Ulun Suwi temple is an irrigation temple that belong to a subak (traditional water management group), and Banuan temple (dry fields temple).

Pura Melanting, Pulaki – Singaraja

The melanting temple network consists of thousands of melating temples that spread all over Bali. Each traditional market in Bali has its own Melanting temple (temple of trader) from which the traders and businessmen ask for fortune; these temples create melanting temple network with its central temple located in west Buleleng, near Perancak.

Pura Ulun Danu Batur

Ulun Suwi temple networks consist of hundreds ulun suwi temples that spread all over rice fields in the island. There are several networks of ulun suwi temples in Bali; each has different central temple and its own area. Since all rice field irrigations in Bali get their water from the lakes, the central temple of an ulun suwi temple network is the lake temple (Pura Ulun Danu) that is situated around the lake from which this ulun suwi temple network get its water. For example Pura Ulun Danu Batur (Lake Batur Temple) is the central temple an ulun suwi temple network which consists of hundreds of Pura Ulun Suwi (irrigation temple) which spread all over Rice fields in east and central Bali.

Pura Meduwe Karang

The banuan temple networks is a network consists of hundreds of Pura Banuan (dry field temple) that spread all over Bali. Banuan temple is a temple dedicated to the spirit of the land so it will gives his blessing to the cultivators of the dry land. The central temple of this banuan temple network is Pura Meduwe Karang (owner of the land temple) in Kubutambahan village, Buleleng regency.

The clan temple network is a network of temples which belong to a particular clan. For example Pande (blacksmith) clan temple network consist of dozens of clan temples of Pande clan that spread all over Bali. Each clan in Bali has its own temple network and its own central temple, for example, the Tarukan clan temple network has its central temple in Tarukan village, Gianyar; the central temple of Pande clan temple network is located in the complex of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

How is the clan temple network formed? At first the members of a clan were concentrated in a village and built their clan temple there. With the passing of the time, there are steady increased on the number of clan members. Some of them settle down in far away villages and built a branch clan temple there. Big clan such as Pasek has hundreds of branch clan temple which spread all over Bali.

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