Bali History Guide

The Creation of Bali Island
Before you go to Bali, it would be interesting to learn about Bali History. Bali is perhaps mostly known as the island with lots of uniqueness compared to many other islands in Indonesia.

According to the legend as being written in the Purana Sada Temple located in Kapal Traditional Village, the God (or called as Ida Sang Hyang Widhi/Bathara Pasupati in Balinese tradition) calls for the Gods to get together on the top of Mount Mahameru after the creation of earth with its continents and a variety of islands.

The Sang Hyang Pasupati then spoke and gave command to Gods in the universe, to Gods from Trinayaka group, to God Rsis, to Gods residing the nine directions, to the six Gods (Sad Winayaka), to the group of four Gods (Catur Dewa) and to God Dragon, to create an island and name it as Bali.

Bathara Pasupati told all Gods that Bali would be a special holy place for all Gods with the Bhatara Mahadeva/Putranjaya’s leader. This would be an island where all Gods will be adored and dipuja (honored) till the end of time. After this holy place creation, there would be a very special reward for the Gods in the form of big offerings by the inhabitants. In Bali History, Bali is then named after the Gods.

When this island was created, the God Dragon Sang Hyang Ananta Boga entered the bottom layer of the earth, and then this big dragon became the support of Bali Island.

After that, Sang Hyang Kurma Gni (turtle) entered the earth and became the foundation of it, and Badawang Nala manifested himself as the bottom layer of the earth of Bali. Sang Hyang Kala, then, created the soil and sky of Bali which is bright with colorful shine.

Finally in Bali History, a beautiful island was created with the shine of extraordinary holiness. The Gods were very delightful with their successful works, and then selected their everlasting shrines at the new earth (banua bahru) named Bali. From here it is disclosed that Bali is the place of Gods (the Island of Gods). When foreigners came to Bali for the first time, they said this island is the last paradise.

The Corners of Bali are guarded by Gods
In the Balinese society, there is a term of Kahyangan Jagad of Bali. It is basically the Balinese society’s belief regarding to the existence of major Balinese temples. This term brings a variety and diversity concept in the spiritual aspect of Balinese society. It also leads to the diversity on the classic Balinese literature. Different orientation leads to different insight. Fortunately, thanks to the Balinese experts of Hindu religion, these diversities can be united and then compiled in a book known as “Compilation of Seminar on Interpretation of Hindu Religion Aspects I – XV. It was published in 1999/2000 by Balinese Local Government.

This book stated that Kahyangan Jagad in Bali is divided into two different conception (Rwabineda), such as, Besakih Temple in Karangasem Regency as Purusa (masculine) and Batur Temple in Bangli Regency as Pradana (Feminine).

Based on the conception of Catur Lokapala (four direction), Kahyangan Jagad consists of Lempuyang Luhur Temple in Karangasem Regency, Andakasa Temple is also in Karangasem Regency, Batukaru Temple in Tabanan Regency and Puncak Mangu Temple in Badung Regency.

Based on the conception of Sad Winayaka, Kahyangan Jagad consists of Besakih Temple in Karangasem Regency, Lempurang Luhur Temple also in Karangasem Regency, Gua Lawah Temple in Klungkung Regency, Uluwatu Temple in Badung Regency, Batu Karu Temple in Tabanan Regency and Puser Tasik Temple/Pusering Jagad in Gianyar Regency.

Ida Pedanda Ketut from Griya Taman Kelodan Intaran Sanur wrote a geguritan ( a classic poetry literarure) entitled Patijlamit. In this literature, she mentioned the names of worshipped Local Gods in the temples known as Sad Kahyangan Jagad Bali. For example, there’s Bhatara Sang Hyang Manik Galba worshipped in Puser Tasik/Pusering Jagad Temple with a weapon called as duwung placed in Gianyar Regency, Bhatara Sang Hyang Ningjaya worshipped in Lempuyang Temple with a weapon called as abet placed in Karangasem Regency, Bhatara Sang Hyang Manik Gumawang worshipped in Luhur Uluwatu with a spear weapon placed in Badung Regency, Bhatara Sang Hyang Purna Jaya worshipped in Besakih Temple with a weapon of Kris (tuwek) placed in Karangasem Regency, Bhatara Dang Hyang Jayaningrat worshipped in Batukaru Temple with an arrow weapon placed in Tabanan Regency, or Bhatara Sang Hyang Putra Jaya worshiped in Herjeruk Temple with a sword weapon located in Gianyar Regency.

After you go to Bali, you'll find that Bali History is very interesting to learn.