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Lempuyang Luhur Temple

Thursday, September 6th, 2007 by Sidarta Wijaya

At the beginning of the creation, when earth was only 70 years old, the island of Bali was instable; earthquakes happened everyday for months, torrents rains, with constant lightning and thunders was the only weather. The god Pacupati, who resides in Mount Sumeru saw this condition and sent his three children to stabilize the island of Bali. His three children Hyang Gni Jaya, Hyang Putra Jaya and Dewi Danu came to Bali and reside in three different places; Dewi Danu resides on Mount Batur, Hyang Putra Jaya resides on Mount Agung, and Hyang Gni Jaya resides in Lempuyang Luhur.

pura lempuyang luhur temple
flickr.com/photos/yeowatzup/

Lempuyang Luhur temple is a sacred temple which is located on the top of Belibis Hill, northeast of Mount Agung, in Karangasem regency. Lempuyang is one of the six major Temple in Bali besides Andakasa Temple, Uluwatu Temple, Watukaru Temple, Ulun Danu Batur Temple and Besakih Temple. In Balinese cosmogony, Lempuyang Luhur is considered temple of the East, the abode of god Iswara, keeper of the peace.

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Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

Saturday, May 26th, 2007 by Sidarta Wijaya

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple may seem like floating on the surface of the Lake Bratan, as a matter of fact, it is situated on a small promontory jutting out from the western shore of the lake, flooded periodically by the rising lake. This sacred temple is a historical monument of peaceful amalgamation of Buddhist and Hindu in Bali. this half-Hindu, half-Buddhist temple was built by the king of Mengwi in 1633 A.D, dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Goddess of Lake.

ulun danu bratan temple ulun danu bratan temple ulun danu bratan temple

Lake Bratan is looked upon as a source of irrigation water for the south part of the island. Therefore, the Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is the central temple for thousands of irrigation temples and shrines that spread all over southern region of Bali. Island-wide ceremonies are held every year in this temple to ensure a steady and continued supply of water and thousands of pilgrims come from all over the island to pay homage. This sacred temple is also regarded as a central temple by the blacksmith (pande) clan that its members spread all over the island.

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Where to Get Holy Water: Natural Sources

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 by Sidarta Wijaya

Holy water, the most important part of a Balinese ceremony, no ceremony is considered to be complete without the presence of Holy water. Holy water can be obtained either from natural sources or from the peranda (high priest). The natural resources of holy waters range from klebutan (spring), tukad (river), campuan (meeting of two or more river), loloan (estuary), danu (lake), and segara (sea).

klebutan (spring)

Klebutan, spring is the most popular holy water source for temple anniversary, and rites for God. Not all spring is fit as holy water source, spring that is used as a holy water source is usually located on the sacred spot or near a temple. A Beji temple or at least a shrine is built near the spring that is used as a holy water source. Balinese who want to get a holy water from this spring must present a set of offering to this temple or shrine and ask permission from the the God who resides in this temple or shrine.

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Subak Irrigation Management 3

Thursday, November 23rd, 2006 by ablteam

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In order to produce an optimum quantity of rice a complete farming tools is necessary. Balinese farmer has a wide selection of farming tool based the activity in the field. For example:
1. Land preparation
Land preparation is first step of rice growing phase; these are the tools which are used for land preparation:
a. Hoe (with one tooth, two teeth, four teeth, and six teeth)
b. Sorok (spade)
c. Tulud (leveler)
d. Penampad (long knife)
e. Tengala (plow)
f. Lampit (leveler pull by bull)

Hoe Hoe sorok

penampad tengala tulud

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Subak Irrigation Management 2

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 by ablteam

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The general Balinese philosophy guiding the subak system adheres to the principle of Tri Hita Karana which emphasises that happiness can only be reached if the Creator (God), the people (the farmers) and nature (the rice fields) live in harmony with each other. Based on this philosophy are the ceremonies which are a substantial part of the rice cultivation cycle. The ceremonies are carried out at the various temples which are associated with the subak.

the simple shrine (chatu) at the individual water inlet

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Subak Irrigation Management 1

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006 by ablteam

Balinese rice cultivation is famous all over the world for its efficient use of irrigation water. At the heart of irrigation management are the water user associations called subak. They are the backbone of Balinese rice cultivation.

subak

Subak has been described by several authors. It is commonly recognized as an autonomous socio-religious association which deals with matters related to the cultivation and irrigation of rice. They have evolved over centuries, organized by the farmers themselves without (or little) guidance from central authorities. The subak are considered to be one of the most effective irrigator organizations in the world.

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