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Penataran Sasih Temple, Historical and Cultural Tourism

Penataran Sasih Temple has very long historical traces. It is estimated to have existed before the Hindu influence in Bali as evidenced by the presence of kettledrum relic belonging to old age, namely circa 300 BC. Similarly, there is a statue relic believed to originate from the animism period, such as the statute of ganesh, phallus, catur muka and Shiva Bairava as symbol of truth.

There are many myths developing on the existence of the bronze kettledrum sizing 186.5 cm. Some people call it the Moon of Pejeng because it resembles to a moon, while the others relate it to Kebo Iwa, a chief minister of the ancient Balinese kingdom as his earrings. Then, some associate it with the story on the urine of maling meguna.

Operation Manager of the Penataran Sasih tourist attraction, I Wayan Budiana, said the temple belonged to kahyangan jagat or universal temple and situated at Intaran hamlet, Pejeng village, Tampaksiring. The temple was believed to be the oldest one in Bali and estimated to have existed during the Dong-son period in China mainland.

Measure the Strength of Bali in Pengukurukuran Temple

Aura of this temple is very intense. It does not only retain shrines in Balinese architecture, but also features a temple of old Javanese style. This sacred ancient relic remains to survive up to these days. For a venue of meditation, it must be solemn. Moreover, if it is carried out in Garba Cave located in the east of the temple exactly at the Pakerisan riverside, the ambience will surely be more stable. Foreign tourists are very eager to visit the sanctuary.

It’s the Pengukurukuran Temple. It is believed to be the first to measure the strength of Bali in the past time. Here, the strength of Kebo Iwa was measured before becoming a chief minister in ancient Balinese kingdom. The location on the edge of Pakerisan River was used as a school for the kings of Bali. Its location is at the Sawagunung customary village, Pejeng, Tampaksiring subdistrict, Gianyar County.

Petulu Village, a Sweet Home to White Heron

When having a closer look at white heron, our mind will immediately refer to a quiet and cool village. It is the Petulu village located in Ubud subdistrict, Gianyar, or about 25 km from Denpasar. The village is a breeding place of the white heron. Thousands of white herons live and mingle with local people amicably. The birds are never afraid of the behavior of local people. They live freely as if they have become a part of the local community. They look for food at the space in front of the house, yard, and fields as well as play on the branches or twigs of tree. Interestingly, people also feel comfortable and do not dare expel, let alone kill them.

Foreign tourists love intimacy. Even, a few of those tourists come specifically to watch and immortalize them through electronic media. Moreover, it is accompanied with the life story on the white heron at Petulu categorized to be unique and unbelievable. The visit should be made in November, December, January and April because in these months the herons will be crowded. Unlike during May to August, they are only perching on the trees because they are going out to look for food and come back in the afternoon. Their existence will be different in September and October. At that time, those herons are estimated to have a desire, so that they should go out to the beach and marshes.

Ceking, a Sweet and Panoramic Tourist Attraction

If you travel to Kintamani attraction through Ubud, you will find a very beautiful and sweet place. Its beauty is almost the same as Jatiluwih. Green terraced rice fields, towering coconut trees, birds and beetle perch on tree branches are only some of the attractions. Farmers are working on their farmland diligently. Their style and activities generate a very unique moment to enjoy. Sometimes, their activities are accompanied with the sound of water and cool breeze, while the old farmers become the attraction to visiting tourists. When expressing a friendly smile, they greet visitors familiarly while saying ‘Hello ... hello ....!’

It is the atmosphere offered by Ceking tourist attraction located in Tegallalang, Gianyar. The attraction relies on the natural beauty and has indeed become a favorite place to foreign tourists. Such amazing view is often taken advantage as a photo background. “Tourists visiting Ceking are surely taking pictures with the background of terraced rice fields,” said Ms. Dayu, one of the souvenir sellers at the object.

The Sixth Bali Spirit Festival: A Collaboration of Yoga, Dance and Music

Bali Spirit Festival (BSF) will be held again in Ubud tourist resort, Gianyar. This collaboration of yoga, dance and music is going to take place on March 20-24, 2013. Maestros from Bali and across Indonesia will make collaboration with global maestros through a participatory and comprehensive program. I Made Gunarta, the BSF founder, said the event provided space and time for maestros and participants to express themselves and increase the capacity to realize inspiration. “This is a celebration of the values across borders and cultures, such as awareness, compassion, and creativity that continue to grow and inspire the world toward sustainable peace,” said Gunarta.

Since its first inception in 2008, the BSF has focused the efforts on enhancing the spirit of learning and global collaboration through celebration of the world diverse creativity and spirituality. In addition, the event also aims to promote positive changes in the community and individual level. The morning program will be filled with open air yoga. It can inspire and bring in the real energy of Bali. Moreover, it is located amidst the green and fresh atmosphere of rice field, so that the spirit and aura of the island will definitely be felt. In contrast to the concert, it will be held at night and take place in the center of Ubud, amidst the sacred trees, live foliage and the stage made of amazing carvings.

Lebih Beach Festival: To Raise Coastal Potential of Gianyar Tourism

Are you used to visit a festival? Obviously, the Lebih Beach Festival (LBF) was very different from the other festivals that had been held. The festival organized by the community of Lebih village, Sukawati, in cooperation with the Gianyar County government more highlighted the potential of the destination itself. It ranged from the arts, culinary tradition to coastal communities.

A wide variety of activities vibrantly graced the festival. They included the culinary competition featuring typical food treasure of Lebih Beach, fishing, release of turtle hatchlings, surfing, fishing boat parade, water sports, MSME exhibition and clothing expo to musical entertainment. Various activities were held for two days on Saturday and Sunday (Dec 22-23).

Though it was festival of the first time, it could take place lively. Vivacity of people was quite high, so that the festival was not only a party but also a starting point for revival to preserve the region and make it sustainable. “This festival is intended to promote the Lebih Beach in order that it could attract more people as tourist destination,” said Chairman of the Committee, Ketut Gede Yudantara.

Celuk, a Tourism Village of Silversmith

When mentioning Celuk hamlet, our mind will surely point to a silver and gold art craft. Celuk hamlet located adjacent to cultural village of Batubulan, Sukawati subdistrict, Gianyar, or about 6 km east of Denpasar, is the center of silver and gold handicrafts. In the 1980s, it was known as a tourism village because of its silver handicraft. Every day many tourists visited Celuk.

The village is very typical because people can find out a row of art shops along the road which are all displaying and selling various kinds of silver products. Those silver crafts are on display and sold in glass showcase, so that every traveler passing by can see them. Diverse forms of craft such as rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, brooch and pendant can be found here.

Similarly, there are also kitchen utensils such as spoons, forks, plates, cups, glasses, bowls (commonly used by Hindus to hold the offerings) and others. Silver handicraft embellished with various ornaments consists of dagger, fans and miniature of transportation means (wagon, tricycles, motorcycles, cars, boats, etc.).

Vibrant Cak Dance from Bona Village

On hearing the name of Bona village, people will certainly be reminded of the popular Cak dance. Aside from being the center of Cak performance, this village shows a unique artistic development. “In the past, the Cak performance was staged in the Puseh Temple every full moon and black moon. The show was especially presented for tourists,” said I Nyoman Sira, a puppeteer and dancer from the local village.

This graduate of the Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI) of Denpasar, said in the performance the Cak was combined with Sanghyang Jaran and Sanghyang Dedari Dance owned by the local village. Although the shows were duplicate (not sacred), the performance of both the sanghyang dances could create a magical atmosphere. “Cak appearance is actually a magnet to attract more tourists to Bona village,” he said.

Cak is usually staged for 30 minutes. At first, the Cak is presented for 20 minutes and then was resumed with the presentation of Sanghyang Jaran for 15 minutes and Sanghyang Dedari for 15 minutes. “However, after 1983 when Cak has developed in Ubud, Uluwatu and other areas in Bali, the existence of Cak at Bona began to erode. Now, it was almost never staged again,” said Sira calmly.

Nevertheless, added the dancer who had roamed around the world, Bona village was never lacking of tourist visit. However, the number was small and the volume was not regular. “Right now, many tourists are visiting Bona but they do not watch the art, but learn about the art,” he said.

According to Sira, foreign tourists came because they wanted to learn and play the puppet are directly from puppeteer Made Sija (her father) and studied some dances in the Paripurna Dance Studio managed by Made Sidia (his brother). They were not foreign tourists on vacation, but those who were learning about the arts of Bali.

Tirta Empul : A Room to Purify Corporeal and Spiritual Body

Tirta Empul Temple and sacred bathing place is located at rural Manukaya areas, Tampak siring sub district, Gianyar Regency. The sub district with the area 042.63 square km has 8 villages. And, the name Tampaksiring has been famous because of the presidential palace located there.

As a matter of fact, the districthas many tourist objects being well known throughout the
World like Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Temple and historical sites up to the south region. It is estimated the name of Tampaksiring is originated in Balinese words tampak (sole) and siring means "tilting." Allegedly, the meaning of both words is associated with a piece of the legend of explicit and implicit in a palm leaf manuscript stating the name derived from the former traces the feet belonged to a king named Mayadenawa.

According to "Mayadanawantaka" palm-leaf manuscript, this king was the son of Bhagavan Kasyapa with Goddess Danu. But alas, this clever king and had a nature of evil
magic, was eager to conquer the world and got drunk for power, Moreover, he claimed himself as a god requiring the people to worship him.

Cok Ichiro Chairs PHRI Gianyar

Colloquy of the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) of Gianyar in 2012 declared Tjokorda Agung Ichiro Sukawati as Chairman for the tenure of 2012-2017. Cok Ichiro replaced Dewa Gede A Arimbawa whose term had expired in 2011. The elected chairman of the PHRI was inaugurated by Chairman of the PHRI Bali doubling as the Regent of Gianyar, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, in The Royal Pita Maha Resort Ubud, Thursday (Sep 27).

In the new management, Tjok Agung Ichiro was accompanied by Ida Bagus Ariana and Ida Bagus Suartidiyana (Deputy Chairman I and II), Tjokorda Gede Dharma Putra Sukawati and Pande Sutawan (Secretary I and II), A. A. Rita Dewi and Wayan Surata (Treasurer I and II) while I Made D. Sudiartha and Kadek Ari served as PR I and II. Meanwhile, the position of Deputy Chairman of the Governance and Legal Affairs was filled by Tjok. Raka Tisnu Yudana, Deputy Chairman of Human Resources, Training and Certification (I Made Aristana), Deputy Chairman of the Organizational and Institutional Affairs (I Made Sudarma) Deputy Chairman of Accommodation /Hotel (Pande M Adityawarman).