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Place of interest: Gianyar
Overview
Until the fourteen century Bali was ruled Bali by the Warmadewa
dynasty. The Buddhist ruling kingdoms is centralized in Bedulu, five
kilometres west of Gianyar town. After Javanese conquered Bali the
capital move to Samprangan, north of the present Gianyar town before
it moved again to Gelgel and Klungkung in the east. During the Dutch
conquering in early nineteen hundreds, Gianyar was restored.
Batubulan
At least there are four stages setup for regular Barong and keris
dances within this stone carving village. There are hundreds or
maybe even thousands of stone carving are offered in the workshops
along the village to the local or foreign consumers. The price of
the stone carving maybe not the biggest consideration for foreign
consumers but the shipment cost will.
Celuk
Gianyar town: Rows of huge white statues beautified this regency
capital of Ginyar. A visit to one or two of the single ikat Batik
factories will give opportunity to visitors to observe more of the
making process of the most wore Balinese clothes.
kapal.
Goa Gajah
Literally means ‘Elephant Cave”. Although named by ‘elephant’ it
doesn’t mean there is any real elephant live or ever live here. The
name Goa Gajah derived from ‘Lwa Gajah’ which is mentioned in the
manuscripts found in this site. This temple complex was built for
the first time around 11 century based on epigraph found in this
site.
A seven-metre deep cave with a shape of T-letter is the major
attraction of this Bedulu village’s local temple. The cave it self
is carved in a solid stone hill of the river valley. The main figure
of the carving at the cave entrance is ‘boma’, a barong face,
accompanied with big clapping fingers on its side. Leaf, flower, and
some horror figures can be noticed if you give more attention look
to the rest of the carving. Some holes that are considered to be
used as meditation or sleeping quarters can be found in the wall of
the cave. Nowdays, those holes are used to placed offerings whenever
there is ceremonies taking place.
On the left end side of the cave is Ganesha statue, believe it as
‘the God of knowledge’. Meanwhile on the right end side can be found
three ‘linggas’, that each of them dedicated to the three common God
manifestations in Bali, Brahma, Wisnu, and Siwa. There are other
three stone carvings in the centre wall, one of them figuring head
and face.
Three other statues of Ganesha, demons and Men Brayut, a legendary
lady with her beloved children, are placed on a high building
located on the left side of cave entrance. It is considered that
these statues are 1000 years old. In the middle of the complex, in
front of the cave, there is bathing place that is not any longer
used by the local people. The angle figures within the bathing
complex are about similar to common figures found in India.
On the south part of the complex, there are along flight of step
leads down the lower part of the valley. After crossing a bridge
above a small creek and follow another flight of steps up to eastern
side of the valley, a headless sitting Buddha statue can be seen.
Another evident of a close relationship between the two religions.
Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring
An archaeological complex lies on gorge of Pakerisan River. To reach
the complex visitors must walk about 600 metres from the parking
area to the ticket counter than walked down on 315 stone steps.
Before take a cross on the bridge at the bottom of the valley make a
turn to the left to see the first stone monument. Another group of
stone monument is located on the left side of the main temple across
of the river.
The monuments are hewn in relief on a solid rock hill commonly call
candi. There are shaped like burial towers found all over Central
and East Java. However, there are many theories telling identity of
the royal personages honoured here. One very credible theory
suggests the five 'candi' in the main group were built for King
Udayana, his Javanese queen Gunapriya, his concubine, his
illustrious eldest son Airlangga who ruled over East Java, and his
youngest son Anak Wungsu. Reigning over Bali from AD 1050 to 1077,
Anak Wungsu is believed to have given up his kingdom to become a
religious hermit.
In the right of the main ensemble of temples is a cloister with five
cells carved out of rock. The cloister inmates most likely were
caretakers of the 'candi'. There's a second hermitage near the main
cloister, consisting of niches around a central courtyard, which
might have served as sleeping quarters for visiting pilgrims. To get
into this part of the temple visitors must take of their shoes.
Should you have a spare time, a walk up north of the temple complex
could be a short nice walking along the rice field and river stream.
The path leads to a small waterfall after 800 meters away and about
1,5 kilometers to Mengening Temple.
Gunung Kawi Sebatu
This temple differs to Gunung Kawi Temple nor Tirta Empul Temple in
Tampaksiring, even though they are not located very far away to each
other. Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple is located northwest of the other
two temples in a village of Sebatu, 40 kilometres from Denpasar or
only 20 minutes drive north of Ubud. Sebatu Village is also known
for the creativity of the villagers in creating woodcarving and
handicraft as seen in all the shop along the village (See photo
story)
Mas
The football field and the big banyan tree within the village notes
the center of Mas village. However, since it become a known tourist
stop for fine wood carving, galleries and workshop building are
stretched starting from intersection of Sakah, where a huge baby
statue stand in the middle, until another intersection up north at
Teges Village. Small lanes on the left or right side of the main
road are the houses of the woodcarvers and mask makers. Visitors can
enter any houses with sign at front gates to see the artist at work
and get a better price than the galleries on the main road.
Since the 1930s the subject use for carving slightly change become
more realistic and contemporary such as people with their daily
activities, animals, Buddha's and many other abstract figures.
Formerly, carvings were made only for religious purposes and
featured exclusively traditional characters from the Mahabarata and
Ramayana.
Comparing to other carving village, wood carving in Mas village are
made from high quality wood including sandal and crocodile wood. It
usually unpainted, and smoothly carved.
Peliatan
Many Bali's most gamelan orchestra and dancing groups inhibit the
village that located 2 kilometres east of Ubud town. The groups have
performed in many Western countries. It is also the origin of one
kind of Legong dance.
Pujung.
Petulu
A white heron village located in the north of Ubud. The best time to
visit this natural bird sanctuary is around 5 to 6 PM when the
sacred birds flew back home after a day of ill or fish hunting.
Ceking, Sebatu
A small but steep rice terraces located 15 minutes drive north of
Ubud offer a postcard quality shot. Bicycling from Ubud and having a
light refreshing meal in one of two restaurants in the area is a
nice exercising arrangement.
Pakudui
Make a right turn after the Ceking rice terrace will lead you to the
wooden Garuda village. The master sculptor of wooden Garuda statues
lives at the end of the village. The rare 3,5 metres high Garuda
statue are found in his place.
Sidan
A new developed tourist site in the east of Gianyar town, just
before entering Bangli area offers a fascinating overlooking view of
the rice terrace. Pura Dalem Sidan with its intricate and
distinctive horror figures is well worth to visit.
Sukawati
It is known for its art market that become 'a must see' place by
tourists especially the local ones from Jakarta or other area in
Java. Huge number of small stalls occupied the two stories building
offer a lot of cheap souvenirs. Almost any kind of Bali's souvenirs
can be found in here either painting, woodcarving, clothes, temple
umbrellas and other temple accessories, leather puppet, wind chime,
jewelleries and others. It is better for you to prepare a list of
souvenirs that you want to bring back home since you may be stuck in
a confusion situation of too overwhelmed by the huge quantity of
souvenirs and finally bring home nothing.
Two hundred metres toward west from the Sukawati Art Market, on the
right side of the road, there is another market called 'Pasar Seni
Pagi' of 'The morning Art Market' which only open very early in the
morning until around 7 AM. The crowd of souvenirs retailers from
other part of Bali will come here to get semi-finished product with
a very low price.
Many of Bali's most established puppeteers live in Sukawati. In line
with this fact, Sukawati is also the center of Shadow puppets
production center. The leather puppet, 'wayang kulit' are made
either of cow or buffalo hide.
Bona Village
One time in 1980s Bona village is the most well known place to see
the Kecak and Fire. Now, it is more known for its bamboo furniture
and handicraft, together with the nearby Belega village.
Tegalalang
And endless handicraft stalls located about 20 kilometers along the
main road of this district. The craftsmen are too creative as they
can make almost any thing that tourist have in mind with various art
materials.
Ubud's Monkey Forest
Inhibited by up to 125 monkeys divided into 3 major groups.
Comparing other sanctuaries in Bali, the mammals in here are tame.
There are three local temples settle within the sacred sanctuary.
The Pejeng Area
The finding of many archeological sites within and beyond this area
become one of the reason for the local government to built an
archeological museum on the southern part of the village. Two most
visited sites by tourist are Pura Penataran Sasih, the temple of a
moon faced bronze drum, and Pura Kebo Edan, the temple of three
meters high ancient stone statue.
Tirta Empul
This beautiful water spring temple was built around 10th century
under the rule of Sri Candra Singha Warmadewa. The spring that piped
to three fountains complexes is believed to have been created by the
God Indra, who descend to the earth to brought back the life of his
army, which was poisoned by the demon-king Mayadanawa. The water
source is located at a pool on a higher level where water bubbling
up and plants growing on the bottom as well as fish and large ill
can clearly be seen.
According to believe of the people, each fountains complex has their
special religious functions. The complex located on most right sides
is for spiritual purification; the one in the middle to cleanse from
evil, meanwhile the left side one is an antidote to poison.
Ubud
Attributed by its natural and cultural atmosphere, Ubud has
attracted many foreigners to visit or even live in this artisan's
village since 1930's. Many expatriates especially foreign or local
artists fall in love and decide to settle in this international
village. The achievement of Ubud as a tourist destination cannot be
separated from the effort of those artists who display Ubud to the
world through their work.
Its location in the central of Bali makes Ubud become a good base
for visitors to visit other places all over Bali. Nusa Dua,
Kintamani, Lovina, Amed or Jembrana can be reach by just doing a day
tour without so much tiring of driving. Many beautiful landscapes,
interesting historical sites and not to mentioned art villages can
easily reach even by walking.
Ayung river that stretch on the west part of Ubud offer a
fascinating view of river gorge is the spot of several most
luxurious hotels on the island. Attracted by the beauty of river
valley at least five rafting companies run their trip on this part
of the Bali's longest river. Other river hill that used as hotel
nest are Campuhan river in the middle and Petanu on the eastern
part. Most tourist accommodation are located in the center of Ubud.
The center would be noted by former Ubud palace that is located
across the art and traditional market of Ubud. The accommodation
available suit to any budget and most of them will offer you a stay
at charming cottages or a stay within a family house.
Instead of visiting it on the daily sightseeing tour, the best way
to get the real atmosphere of Ubud is by spending couple of night
within the area. Besides regularly dancing performance or permanent
art exhibition on many fine art galleries, there are dozen of things
can be explored. People preparing ceremonies, temple festivals,
colourful celebration, dance, and traditional 'gamelan' rehearsals,
occasional cremation are rarely unseen. It is not surprising anymore
if you see foreigners in their complete Balinese dress involve in
these local activities. There are some courses of Balinese dance and
music, cooking classes, wood carving, mask making, batik painting or
even learn the skill to be puppet masters are available for those
who eager to have some of the local skills.
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