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Dalem Ped Temple has been famous and venerated as well as sanctified by the community of Nusa Penida. Moreover, those who glorify knowledge (kewisesan) will surely know the temple which is also called as Penataran Agung. This temple is situated at Ped Village, Sampalan, Nusa Penida or about 50 meters south of the Selat Nusa shoreline. Pujawali or anniversary ritual of the temple falls every Buda Cemeng Klawu.

According to Dr. Ida Bagus Dharmika, a Hinduism lecturer in the Hindu University of Indonesia (UNHI) Denpasar, the Dalem Ped Temple was a universal sanctum to venerate the ishta devata of Lord Shiva more highlighting the knowledge. Every temple anniversary, the temple was always crowded by devotees invoking safety, welfare, wellbeing and tranquility. “Lately, the temple is renowned as one of the most demanded spiritual tourist attractions,” he said.

Dharmika also doubling as Deputy Rector I said that based on the Dalem Jumpungan, Ratu Nusa, Mecaling palm-leaf manuscript and some information, the history of Dalem Ped could be traced back in terms of two versions, namely based on the formation of Nusa Penida, the existence of divine light of God or Lord Shiva and history of Bali Island during the kingdom era of Bali, the administration of Waturenggong in the fifteenth century.

At that time, Waturenggong took control over Bali and several other regions such as Lombok and Blambangan. Under its rule, there were small kingdoms where one of them was Batuan Kingdom. It had two sons where each had a handsome appearance but different properties (rwa bhineda) named I Gusti Ngurah Batuan featuring kadyatmikan (spiritual freedom), while his brother I Gusti Ngurah Mecaling (Bungkit) featuring the knowledge properties.

Due to request of the subject and his father, Ngurah Batuan was made a king. Such appointment made Ngurah Mecaling uneasy, hatred and jealousy, so that he fled to Tegenungan Hamlet. There, he deepened his spiritual knowledge by doing penance and finally acquired a blessing from Goddess Durga.

Being proud of his supernatural power, Ngurah Mecaling then challenged and fought against Ngurah Batuan. In the struggle, Ngurah Mecaling was defeated. Ultimately, he left Batuan and departed to an island on the southeast of Bali known as Nusa Penida. There, Ngurah Mecaling who was accompanied by some guards and faithful people did a penance on the peak of Mount Giri Putri at Batukandik Village.

He got a license to kill and prey on the guilty man’ on the Island of Bali during the sixth to the mid of eight month in Balinese calendar (Dec-Jan). Then, he received an approval from the King Waturenggong where if the royal kulkul or wooden split drum sounded loudly, Ngurah Mecaling along with his followers was allowed to carry out grandiose debauchery against the guilty men.

If such behavior was persistently allowed, it could become a disaster for the kingdom. In response to such condition, Waturenggong gave a mandate to Danghyang Nirartha and Arya Sentong to stop his bad habit. As consequence, it kindled a silent war among them. Apparently, their supernatural power was balanced, so no one lost out and won. However, in the midst of the struggle, the daughter of I Gusti Ngurah Mecaling fell in love with Arya Sentong.

It raised a question in him. Having been described by Danghyang Nirartha that Arya Sentong and his daughter indeed had a close relationship in the previous life, I Gusti Ngurah Mecaling realized if it was time for him to come back to Sunya Loka (heaven). Prior to leaving, he handed over all his supernatural powers and his daughter to Arya Sentong.

Up to these days, it has become a myth that when the wooden split bell sounded loudly it indicated a plague spread at a village. At first, it only applied to East and Central Bali, but due to diffusion process of the story (mythology), it then even spread to other regions. On that account, most Balinese people venerated Ratu Gde Nusa (Dalem Ped) on Kajeng Kliwon (falling every 15 days) to beg salvation.

Dharmika said, so far the deity in the Dalem Ped Temple really put himself into function as a rwa bhineda, black and white and the essence of life. He had compassionate, generous and very sacred qualities. For those who wanted to invoke blessing, promotion in career, health and knowledge, he always gave them.

On the other hand, if there were devotees who invoked supernatural power and knowledge, he would also meet them. However, whatever given by him should be implemented consequently. Otherwise, he would take decisive and severe action against the violators.

In this case, Ratu Gde Nusa had about 500 wong samar (invisible beings) to maintain the security of the temple and its surroundings. “When we do wrong and are not in accordance with the applicable norms, such invisible beings will take decisive action. However, if we always do good deeds and befriend, such invisible beings will help us faithfully,” concluded Dharmika. (BTN/015)

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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