Nyepi - a day to make and keep the balance of nature.

Westerners open the New Year in revelry, however, in contrast, the Balinese open their New Year in silence. This is called Nyepi Day, the Balinese day of Silence, which falls on the day following the dark moon of the spring equinox, and opens a new year of the Saka Hindu era which began in 78 A.D.Nyepi is a day to make and keep the balance of nature.

Balinese use many different calendar systems. They have adopted the Gregorian calendar for business and government purposes. But for the endless procession of holy days, temple anniversaries, celebrations, sacred dances, building houses, wedding ceremonies, death and cremation processes and other activities that define Balinese life, they have two calendar systems. The first is the Pawukon (from the word Wuku which means week) and Sasih (which is means month. One is Pawukon system, a 210-day cycle that divided into ten separate week system. The other one is Saka Calendar, a lunar calendar that originally from South India and brought to Indonesia around 465 AD. One Saka year has 12 month and each month ends on a new moon. The Saka Year is 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar. The calendar begins on the first day of the 10th lunar month or ends on the new moon of 9th month. It usually falls on March or April on Gregorian Calendar. To mark the New Saka Year, Balinese celebrates a Nyepi Day.

The main purpose of the Nyepi Day ceremonies is to pray to the God (Hyang Widhi Wasa), wish that HE to clean the universe (bhuwana agung) as well as the 'universe" within men (bhuwana alit). Based on the history of its birth of Saka Year, Nyepi Day also means to be a momentum to increase genuine solidarity and tolerance between people, accept the differences and similarity as natural factor of life and put them in a balance proportion so they can be in a positive side of life. We do not to fight each other because our differences.

The lead upto Nyepi day is as follows:

* Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis (three days before Nyepi)
Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (ie lake, river, etc). Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all the village temples are taken to the river in long and colourful ceremonies. There, they have are bathed by the Neptune of the Balinese Lord, the God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines.
* Tawur Kesanga (the day before Nyepi)
Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh-ogoh (the fantastic monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment which have to be got rid of from our lives . The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.The procession is usually organised by the Seka Teruna, the youth organisation of Banjar. When Ogoh-ogoh is being played by the Seka Teruna, everyone enjoys the carnival. In order to make a harmonic relation between human being and God, human and human, and human and their environments, Tawur Kesanga is performed in every level of society, from the people's house. In the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives.
* Nyepi
On Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. There is usually Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who controls and checks for street security. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs main task is not only to control the security of the street but also to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. No traffic is allowed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. Even love making, this ultimate activity of all leisure times, is not supposed to take place, nor even attempted. The whole day is simply filled with the barking of a few dogs, the shrill of insect and is a simple long quiet day in the calendar of this otherwise hectic island. On Nyepi the world expected to be clean and everything starts anew, with Man showing his symbolic control over himself and the "force" of the World, hence the mandatory religious control.

* Ngembak Geni (the day after Nyepi)
Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Canthi. Dharma Canthi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).

From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, eg humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. Balinese Hindus have many kind of celebrations (some sacred days) but Nyepi is, perhaps the most important of the island's religious days and the prohibitions are taken seriously, particularly in villages outside of Bali's southern tourist belt. Hotels are exempt from Nyepi's rigorous practices but streets outside will be closed to both pedestrians and vehicles (except for airport shuttles or emergency vehicles) and village wardens (Pecalang) will be posted to keep people off the beach. So wherever you happen to be staying on Nyepi Day in Bali, this will be a good day to spend indoors. Indeed Nyepi day has made Bali a unique island.

Practical Info for visitors
To witness the Melasti procession, it is best to be around the beach either in Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Sanur and others. Ask people at your hotel which part of the beach that usually use for the Melasti near by your hotel and when they usually held the procession. If you happen already on the road and see people dress in white and yellow on a parade, just follow them. Please dress properly with sarong, sash and shirt. Should you are on the beach sunbathing with your bikini and the procession pass by you please kindly change your bikini with proper cloth or stay away for a while. It is just too much contrast, you with your bikini sunbathing, and one meter away Balinese with traditional cloth perform a serious religious ceremony.

Most likely each village will make at least one Ogoh-ogoh, the giant doll, and this particular thing will amazed you a lot. Do drive around in the morning of the day before Nyepi when the Ogoh-Ogoh will usually placed side of the road. It is a great picture time for the scary face of the Ogoh-Ogoh. The actual procession of the Ogoh-Ogoh will be held around sunset so make sure you come back with your vehicle before that if you do not want to get stuck behind the procession. It is wiser and easier to witness the procession near by your hotel by foot. In some main town like Sanur, Kuta, Denpasar, Ubud and others, there are contest for the best Ogoh-Ogoh. .

Should you be in Bali or first arrive in Bali on the juncture of Nyepi Day, you must take the subsequent orders into account:
The silence begins at 5 a.m. of March 21st and the next 24 hours.The airport will be totally closed on March 21st, so there will be neither arrival nor departure in the airport on that day. All connecting airports around the globe have been informed about it in advance. If you take surface trip, you should not plan your arrival in Bali on March 21st, there is no activity in the bus terminal and most importantly there will be no traffic on that day in the whole Bali Island.

You should stay inside your house/hotel. Do not go out of the house/hotel. Should you need food or anything to buy, do it on the previous day because on Nyepi Day all shops do not open. Since all activities throughout the island are paused during the Nyepi Day, put your plan before or ahead. Should you want to make a light or play the music, keep it minimum, no light and sounds are allowed.Don't make any noise while you are at home/hotel.

There will be local officer on duty to ensure everybody including visitors obey the prohibitions. Some exceptional are made only for hospital, emergency situation and family with very young babies. If you experience any emergency situation please report to the hotel staff or manager on duty to obtain proper permission.

Tumpek Kandang - Animal Walfare

Tumpek Kandang, also called Tumpek Andang, falls on Saturday of Uye, the 22nd week of the pawukon cycle. The name Tumpek Kandang is derived from two words, “Tumpek” that means Saturday that coincide with Kliwon (name of a day based on Pancawara*) and “Kandang” refers to Balinese word for pen, symbolizing the domesticated animals that Balinese Hindu highly honor. They include cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs and birds.

Tumpek Kandang is dedicated to Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the god of all cattle and livestock. On this day Balinese show their appreciation and thankfulness to all domesticated animals that help them in everyday life.

On this holiday day, domesticated animals in Bali receive a great attention; the cows are washed in the river and dressed-up like human beings, with special cone-shaped spiral of coconut leaf placed on their horns. The pigs are decorated, with their bellies wrapped with a white or yellow cloth. The domesticated animals are fed with the best food.

A special offering is made for Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the god of all cattle and livestock, prayer is offered to the God for the welfare of the domesticated these animals. Holy water and rice are sprinkled to the head of these animals at the end of the ceremony.

This ritual certainly not an animal worship ritual, The Balinese consider the animal as a friend of life and fellow brother created by God as a living creature. Human life is much assisted by animals, especially in satisfying the needs of food, the labor force, religious ceremony and economy. For the sake of preservation and prosperity of such animals, the Balinese plead for God as the Greatest Source.

Tumpek Kandang has more meaning on the showing of evidence that Balinese is a community that is aware of animal welfare. This means, there is an awareness of owing “merits” to the animals, since such creatures are the preserver of the equilibrium of the ecosystem. Without animals on earth, the life cycle does not work, and even interrupts.
Tumpek Kandang, sometimes called Tumpek Andang, falls five weeks later on Saturday of Uye, the 22d week of the Pawukon cycle. The name comes from kandang, the Balinese word for the household animal pen, because this is the day to honour domestic animals, especially cows and pigs, which are highly valued by the Balinese.
The cows are washed, kambens are thrown over their backs and special cone-shaped spirals of coconut leaf are placed on their horns. The pigs are usually just decorated by wrapping a white cloth about their bellies. The animals are given special foods, prayers are offered, and they are sprinkled with rice and holy water.

Bangli Regency and It's Tourism Object

Bangli Regency is located precisely in the central part of Bali province, is one of the eight regencies in Bali that has no coastal areas. Its neighbouring regions are the Regional Government of Buleleng in the North, Klukung and Karangasem in the East, Gianyar and Klukung in the South, whereas Badung and Gianyar in the West.
In this northen part located Kintamani a renowm tourism resort all over the world with Mount and lake Batur. In the southern part of this regions stretches a broad plain which laying about 100 meters above sea level most of them are rice fields.
Bangli Regency has land areas of 520,81 square kilometers, administratively consisted of 187 community group (banjar), 69 administrative / traditional villages and 4 districts namely : Bangli, Susut, Tembuku and Kintamani.
Bangli Has tropical climate so that it has two different seasons namely wet season last from Oktober till April and dry season from April to Oktober. The temperatures is 28oC. rainfall average between 1500mm3 up to 3000mm3 and the thickest can be seen in the western part of this region. The average humidity is 79%. From December to February the wind blows from west to east while from June to August it blows from east to southeast.
The population mainly life is on agriculture with rice as a staple food. The other crops are sosonut, bean, cassava, coffe, tropical fruit such as oranges, mangos, salak, durian, bananas and many others. Almost 95% of the population are Hindu, is to reach peace and harmony of life guided by the Wedas as Holy Scraptures.


ACCESS TO BANGLI

There are four ways to get to Bangli :

I.From West Side (from Badung Regency)
There are also two ways to get there from this route.
-Firstly, trough Denpasar – Kintamani, passing Batubulan station, Celuk, Sukawati, Ubud, goa Gajah, Tampak Siring and Kayuambua is the first village we come to Bangli Regency.
-Secondly. Trough Denpasar – Bangli route, passing batubulan, Sukawati, gianyar, Guliang, Taman Bali and arrive in town of Bangli. Many public transportation ply trough this route, start from Batubulan station (Gianyar Regency) and take about 1 hour drive.

II.From Nothern Side (From Buleleng Regency).
There are many public transport ply this route, start from Kampung Tinggi Bus Station Singaraja through Kintamani.

III.From Eastern Side (from Karangasem Regency).
There are also two ways to get to Bangli Regency
-Firstly, from Besakih to Menanga village and arrive at Suter Village. In the northern side of this villageone can enjoy beautiful view of Mount and Lake Batur.
-Secondly, from Besakih trough Rendang Village and arrived at Bangbang village. Place of interest worth visiting here are a cape and Puser Jagat Temple with 15th century statues.

IV.From Southern Side (from Gianyar and Klungkung Regency).
Passing Sidan village and arrive at bunutin, the first village we come to Bangli Regency. Public transports are very easy to get and they ply from early in the morning till evening.

There is however,alternative route how to get to Bangli that is from Bitra Village to the north we will arrive at Kayuambua and trought a head to the north we will arrive at Kintamani, at Kayuambua take the southern road that lead to Bangli.

Interesting Places

Batur Temple


















Batur temple or commonly called Ulun Danu Temple is situated at 900 meters above sea level of Kalanganyar, Batur village, Kintamani District on the eastern side of the main road leading to Denpasar or Singaraja Via Bangli.

The temple faced west ward where mount Batur and remains of its solidified black laves serve as backdrop and lake Batur stretches far down the slope, enchased the beauty to nature around the temple.

Formerly, before it is in its present location Batur temple is located on the south western slope of mount Batur.

Since the devastating eruption in 1917 which destroyed everything, including the temple its self, then initiated by the head of the village along with other prominent figures, they brought the surviving shrines with them and rebuilt Batur temple to the higher place at Kalanganyar on its present location.

The ceremony in this temple is held annually commonly called Ngusaba ke Dasa

In 1927,the people of Batur began rebuilding Pura Ulun Danu, the temple which once lay at the foot of the volcano. It was an ambitious project. The majority of the 285 planned shrines are yet to be completed. At present, the temple is finely and simply designed. Two august gateways, severe in contrast to the elaborate split gates of South Bali, open onto spacious courtyards laid with black gravel.

Rows of meru towers silhouette against the sky in full view of the smoking volcano. The bale gedong, a storehouse of precious relics, contains a bell of solid gold. As the story goes, the bell was presented to the treasury of the temple by a king of Singaraja in atonement for his having insulted the deities. The ritual in this temple is closely linked with the veneration of Lake Batur and supplication for the blessing of irrigation water. The mountain, lakes help regulate the flow of water to he fields find villages through the many natural springs lower down the slopes.


Kehen Temple



Kehen Temple is one of ancients temples in Bali where were housed three old bronze-made manuscripts. This temple is worshipped by the people around of the village. The ceremony takes place on 'Buda Kliwon Shinta' where Ngusaba ceremony is held one in a three years period, which is fall on 'Purnama Kelima' around November This place can be reached by any mode of transports through a well keptashalted road, or a short walk from Sasana Budaya Giri Kusuma Cultural Hall. The word "Kehen is drived from 'Keren"meaning flame. Formerly, it was known as "Hyang Api' Kehen Temple is located on the southern slope of Bangli Hill about 2 kms from the town. It is really an historical temple worth visiting with a long plight of steps pointing down to the south.

Penglipuran Traditional Village
This village can be reached through roads connect¬ing district of Bangli with Kintamani. From Bangli townto the north up to Kubu Village about 5 kilometers, then have a left turn, one will arrive at Penglipuran and will be received with warm welcome by the villagers. The air is fresh because it is located at 700 meters abo ve sea level. From hrstorical point of view, according to the village elders, the words Penglipuran' is drived from the words 'Pengeling Pura'means a holy place for remembering their ancestors. It is reasonable since their ancestors came from Bayung Gede village, still In Kintamani district. Since from Bayung Gede to Penglipuran is quite along distance there fore the people of Penglipuran, established the same temple as the temple In Bayung Gede. We can drow conclusion from this matter that the people of Penglipuran is still remembering their origin. Another opinion stated that Penglipuran'is derived from the word Penglipuran'means 'relaxation'since on the royal period this place was a good spot for resting place.This village has cultural potency which is up to the present time still well preserved in the from of tradi¬tional Balinese buildings; which differentiate this village from others.The population is 743 person, most of them are farmers and just few as civil servants. Dances and handi¬crafts are well developed in this remote village.

Penglipuran Heroes Monument

This monument is located in the Southern part of Penglipuran Village, on an area of 1,5 hectare in Ba¬linese style equipped with Curayudha Building, a court¬yard for a certain activities, and parking area. It was built in 1959 in memory ofRevolution struggle in the Regency of Bali, commanded by Captain Anak Agung Anom Muditha with his 18 troops. The monument was built for remembering Captain Anak Agung Anom Muditha and his troops who are dead in facing NICA (Dutch troops) out during the revolution era.

Penelokan Tourist Resort
Penelokan (look- out point) is situated on the southern part of Batur Tengah village, Kintamani Dis¬trict about 23 kms from the Bangli town or 63 km from Denpasar, capital city of Bali province.The entire Batur area, with its spectacular scenery, belongs to the district of Kintamani in northern Bangli, The Pene%kan ( Look-Out Point ) offers views of Mt. Batur and Lake Batur, highlighting most tourist's visit to Bali. A t about 900 meters abo ve sea level, this vista point is cool and refreshing throughout the year with tem¬peratures a veraging 2-2'C at mid-day and 16'C at night. Pene%kan is just 27 kilometers from Denpasar is well maintained asphalted roads. Many visitors, both Domestic or Foreign, drop over to this resort, breathe the cool and refreshing moun¬tainous air and all at once to enjoy the breath-taking beauty of panoramic view with its solidified black lavas serve as a deaf witness to the 1917 eruption which dev¬astating entire villages sorrounding it. Meanwhile for those who like 'adventuring' could go for hiking up to the peak. The beauty of this caldera or crater really beggars description. Inspite of its beautiful panoramic view, we can also take a look the beauty of lake Batur with its crystal - clear water and mountainous areas serve as the unique graveyard and the Barong Brutuk of Trunyan village - which can't be found anywhere else in Bali.

Kedisan Village

Kedisan village is located on the southem bank of Mount Batur, 7 kms from Penelokan and belongs to Kintamani district or 27 kms on the northern regency of Bangli. An idyllic little village, cool and refreshing air and hospitable people along with other villages such as Batur Buahan, Trunyan, and Songan village is called Bintang Danu village because of their location on the banks of Mount Batur. It has its own dockyard where one can hire a boat to visit the unique village of Trunyan. The cost of around trip-tickets and its schedules have been set by the LLASDP.

Terunyan Villages
The name of Terunyan is derived from the word “Taru” and “Menyan”; the smell of a fragnant tree of incense which grows in that village. The village consider that the tree is very important because the corpses of the dead person are just laid down on the open grave under the tree and left the face open; where as their bodies are simply covered by white clothes and by “ancak saji”. This method of burying corpses is called “Mepasah”.
The village of Terunyan lays on the banl of lake Batur or on the west foot of Abang hill of Kintamani District. It is a village inhabited by the 'Origines' of Bali Aga with its unique cultural aspects. This village is attainable only by boat from Kedisan village, crossing along lake Batur in 30 minutes.

Pengotan Traditional Village

Pengotan Village is another unique village besides the traditional village of Penglipuran. It offers plenty uniqueness, which are different to those owned by Penglipuran. The people have a different socio-life. Their houses are arranged in unique patterns and made of bamboos.
Traditional arts also evolve well here, with arts like BarisJangkang, SarisJojor, Barls Perasi, Bans Perancak, Barls Blongsong, Barls Bajra, Barls Juntal, and Barls Dapdap Dance. The dances are often performed at the village temples. The so-called Perang Papah Is a unique tradition where performers hit each other using the stems of banana leaves . It is performed at Pedunungan Temple on Balinese calendar of Purnama Sasih Kenem (around December).
Mass marriage is another uniqueness owned by the village. In this ritual, many couples are doing their wedding rituals together, which are held at their Penataran Agung Temple. These event is conducted a Sasih Kadasa (around April-October).
The other different tradition worth knowing is the burial ritual. The corpse is carried by two people to the cemetery, running. Arriving at the place, the corpse's cover is unveiled, making It naked. Then It Is rolled down into the hole for burying that has been prepared. Afterward, itis covered, face up-down-ward, overlooking northwestward.

Pancering Jagat Temple
The Temple of Pancering lagat is located at Trunyan village, Kintamani District. The name of the temple is derived from the megalithic statue with 4 meters high, locally known as Arca da Tonta or Ratu Gede Pusering jagat among the common people. The ceremony in this temple takes place on purnamaning sasih kapat around October. On the same occasion the Barong Brutuk dance is performed for commemorating the legendary wedding anniversary between Ratu Sakti Pancering Jagat; the patron guardian of the village and Ratu Ayu Dalem Pingit (Ratu Ayu Dalem Dasar ). This temple is worshipped only by the people of Trunyan.

Eco Tourism Bukit Bangli

Eco Tourism Bukit Bangli is located about 1 Kms from central of Bangli City. It can be reach through the street which connect the Bangli city and Kintamani Tourism object.
This object is developing tourism object because of it beauty, various kinds of flora and fauna from the top of the hill we can enjoy the beautiful, scenery of Bangli City and surrounding.
The place is also good for meditation, tracking and clambing activities the northen side is supported by the Hindu education centre that support the Eco Tourism Bukit Bangli.
Pucak Penulisan Temple

Pucak Penulisan Temple is situated at 1745 meters above sea level about 3 kms from Kintamani, or 30 kms from the capital town of Bangli regency, on the east side of the road leading to Denpasar or Singaraja. Based on the old-Balinese manuscripts, it was told that Bukit Penulisan is also called Bukit Tunggal since its location is separated from the chain of mountains, stretching along from west to east, dividing Bali island into 2 parts, the northern and southern Bali. Around IX century on the peak of this Bukit Penulisan, the temple of Tegeh Koripan was constructed which is commonly called Pura Pucak Penulisan because it is located at the peak of Penulisan Hill. The temple of Puncak Penulisan, beside its location on a hill, composed of several terraces, even up to 11 terraces. These terraces reveal the continuation of the pyramidal from of cultural aspects of the megalithic age. Its is also a complexes respectively called Pura Danu and Pura Taman Danu, located on the third called Pura Ratu Penyarikan, located on the 4th terrace also on the west part of the temple. The 4th complex, Pura Ratu Daha Tua, is located at the west side on the 1611 terrace. The last or the fifth complex is Pura Panarajon situated on the eastside of the peak. This complex is the highest one compared to the four former complexes. Inside of this temple complex, visitors can find stone made statues and are believed to be derived from olden Balinese period as the remains of the megalithic culture.
Bamboo Forest ( Hutan Bambu )

The forest is situated at Kubu V1llage, about 5 Kms from the town and 700 Meters above sea level, just a short walk from Penglipuran Village to the North. A cool and fresh air, also the unique sound of the bamboo whenever they touching each other.

Jatiluwih - See beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side.

TRIP TO JATILUWIH :
Info dan Pemesanan
081236702352-082147028881
email : infowisatabali@yahoo.com
BB PIN :273E1B12 atau 2113B810

Jatiluwih was recently listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its preservation of traditional Balinese farming techniques.

Jatiluwih is one of places to visit in Bali with the beautiful view as according to its name from Jati and luwih, where Jati mean really and Luwih meaning especial, good, and beautiful or the equivalent.

Jatiluwih is surrounded by cool atmosphere because it is located in the height of 700 meters above sea level. Besides its nature potency, Jatiluwih is also saving the cultural potency, especially history of the Petali Temple existence that is related to the power of Ida Dalem Waturenggong King in Keraton Gelgel (1460 - 1552). The distance from Denpasar to Jatiluwih is about 48 km and it is situated in upstate of Tabanan town (28 Km).

Jatiluwih is a favorite tourist destination in Bali famous with the beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side.

The local paddies are planted in this place look typically of the high relative size plant if it is compared with other pre-eminent paddy planted by most farmers in Bali . Despitefully, Jatiluwih also famous with its organic agriculture system due to the location is located in the in the plateau of Watukaru Mount which is suitable for the agriculture development.

The road to this place has been progressively improved so that motor vehicle can enter from east side through Pacung Village and go to Jatiluwih and also from the west side from Watukaru Temple pass to Jatiluwih. Jatiluwih is many visited by tourist from local and foreign countries who want to enjoy the cold atmosphere and beautiful panorama of rice terrace. Jatiluwih as a nature tourist destination in Bali which has been recognized since Dutch colonial build the Security Headquarter and until now the local residents conceives with the Dutch Tangs. Indonesian government has assigned the Jatiluwih to be a Tourist Destination Village because of this potency.
Other Unique

Jatiluwih also keep the unique religious ceremony attraction which is famous know as Patirtaan in Petali Temple on Wednesday Kliwon Ugu (Based on Balinese Calendar). The local residents believe that Petali Temple is a worship center of The Hyang Widhi Wasa (the God) as agriculture power. Beside of Petali Temple , there is also Pucak Rsi Temple is located in this area. As a tourist object, Jatiluwih provides the public facilities like parking area, toilet, resting bale and Wantilan for tourist who is enjoying the beautiful panorama. Some restaurants have been built to serve the food and beverage. Watukaru Tour is an exciting tour to visit Watukaru Temple and other tourist destinations like Jatiluwih.


From an elevated vantage point the natural beauty of this area appears to have been created by a higher force. It is as if the shade of emerald green from a painter’s palate has been generously spread over the land. Towards the south there are slight tinges of Blue Ocean, while the opposite direction reveals clear outlines of the Agung and Batukaru Mountains in a majestic stance of silent wisdom. The prevailing ambience is one of peace with cool pockets of air bringing a refreshing change from the oppressive tropical heat of Bali’s south.

The glorious ridges of Jatiluwih have always been an artists’ dream; a place to reflect the gift of nature bestowed by the Gods and where one can create in solitude Bali’s most famous expatriate artist was Walter Spies who lived in Ubud during the 1930’s and he would often visit the picturesque fields of Jatiluwih. Later in his studio he would record his impressions of these exotic views with magical brush strokes upon canvas. Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias in his book entitled ‘Island of Bali’ also narrated the precious beauty of the Balinese landscape as the first classical introduction to the island and its culture. These splendid writings perhaps precipitated the gradual flow of visiting artists in the ensuing years that came seeking inspiration.

The agricultural community in Jatiluwih has more or less remained untouched by the impact of tourism. Instead many villagers seem to maintain a simplistic lifestyle that concentrates on the continual cycle of harvesting their crops and their strong faith in the Hindu religion. There are frequent ceremonial rituals prepared by each family of farmers to express their gratitude to the Gods for the provision of earth, water and all of nature’s components that allow mankind to exist.

The process of growing and harvesting rice is just one fragment of the unique Balinese culture that is guarded by the Goddess Dewi Sri. It is a culture that signifies a customary way of life where rice and all of its stages of process is a powerful driving force behind all form of activity within the community. Food, medicine, art, hope and the ideologies that exist within the village are all directly related to the rice field. The Goddess Dewi Sri symbolizes fertility and prosperity as well as the cycle of human life. The practice of planting rice, maintaining the crop and harvesting is a definite parallel to the full circle of life from birth until death. In Bali there is a real relationship between man and the environment, which follows the Hindu philosophy of maintaining a harmonious balance between all living things to appease the Gods as well as unseen entities.

A day trip is highly recommended as it enables visitors to observe the realities of rural Bali. The opportunity to wander through the fields and watch the birds as they attempt to pilfer rice grains from immature stalks is an enriching experience. Another interesting aspect is the organized irrigation system where farmers share water in a tradition that dates back centuries and has united generations of farmers in their common need for this highly valued resource.