Omen, a concept that can be found in every civilization around the globe. Some people believe it, some do not but each civilization has its own version of omen and develops their own way in interpreting a natural phenomenon that is believed to be a sign of what will happen in the future; and Balinese is no exception.

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The first evidences of human appearance in Bali date back to the Stone Age, tens of thousands years ago, with the founding of few artifacts that are believed to be reminiscent of small bands of hunter-gatherers. These prehistoric bands lived and foraged in Bali’s jungle and scavenged the tidal pools of the island. Many Paleolithic implements have been found near Sembiran in northen Bali, and there is also evidence in the form of rectangular stone adzes, axes, blades, hoes and picks used by a Neolithic people of Bali.

The most spectacular remains of Neolithic civilization in Bali are remain of Neolithic settlement and a burial site of 100 mongoloid adults and children which were found in Cekik, south of Gilimanuk, West Bali. These are the mortal remains of coastal people who swam the strait and walked across to Bali via land bridge from East Java to Bali in their migration east through the islands from Indochina. Bali was already well populated by the time of Bronze Age began around 300 B.C.

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Pura Goa Lawah, Bat Cave Temple, lies just three km northeast of Kusamba Harbor and nine km east of Klungkung on the left side of dramatic road paralleling the sea with uninterrupted views of sea and Nusa Penida. As its name suggests Pura Gua Lawah houses a holy cave begins at the foot of rocky cliff and is said to extend all the way to the base of Mount Agung.

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Oral tradition says the cave leads to Pura Goa (cave temple) within the Besakih temple complex some 30 km away. A tale is told how a prince of Mengwi actually entered the sacred cave to prove that he was the rightful descendent of Mengwi king, and emerged at Besakih, but his feat was never duplicated – entering the cave is now forbidden.

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Taman Ayun temple was the royal temple of Mengwi Kingdom that survived until 1891 when it was conquered by the neighboring kingdoms of Tabanan and Badung. The name Taman Ayun means beautiful garden. This temple was built by the King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Anom in 1634. The date of construction is expressed on a carved door with chronogram reads ‘Sad Bhuta Yaksa Dewa‘ means 1634 AD. The temple has been renovated in 1949 and in 1972 all black fiber roofs were renewed, the last in 1976 was built the pavilion tower called ‘Bale Kulkul‘.

The Taman Ayun temple is the second largest temple in Bali, covering an area of 250 x 100 square meters. The temple is built on a high tableland that is partly surrounded by ponds, creating an impression that the temple is foating on the water. The temple is surrounded by a massive moat that looks lovely and is divided into 4 courtyards each courtyard situated on a spacious rising level.

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Today is the new moon of the sixth month in Balinese Caka calendar. Many religious events and temple ceremonies are held all over Bali the biggest of them is the Panca Wali Krama ceremony in Taman Ayun Temple Mengwi. This Panca Wali Krama ceremony is held every five years, but today the Panca Wali Krama ceremony in Taman Ayun temple is not an ordinary Panca Wali Krama ceremony since it is coincide with the Mamungkah and Mupuk Padagingan ceremony which is held every 30 years. This ceremony will be full of festivities and celebration and it will be held for 11 days, starting from 12/19/06 until 12/30/06.

Another great temple ceremony is the Uluwatu Temple ceremony. Uluwatu belongs to the group of six main temple of Bali and Balinese will come from all over Bali to pray and give homage to the deities in Uluwatu temple. This temple festival is always a magnificent event to be seen.

Many sacred and unique ceremonies and activities are held to celebrate Kuningan holyday, one of them is Makotekan activity. This unique activity can only be found in Munggu village, Mengwi, Badung. Makotekan is performed in order to purify the village and serves as symbol of never ending battle between virtue and evil.

Makotekan is usually held in the afternoon and last until night. Makotekan begins with a procession of temple treasure, deities’ effigies, temple’s flags and holy weapons from all temples in the village to Pura Desa (Village Temple). This procession involves hundreds of villagers and accompanied by the Gamelan Baleganjur. Half of the male members of the procession, especially the youth carry Kotekan (Long wood staves decorated with leaves and tamiang –a shield like ornament made of young coconut leaves). Arriving at the village temple, the members of procession pray together, ask for blessing for the success of Makotekan activity.

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