Gunung Kawi Brings You to the Past

Gunung Kawi is an ancient Hindu Temple located in north east part of Ubud, precisely in Pakerisan River, Tampaksiring Village, Gianyar Regency. Approximately 40 minutes from Denpasar city.The temple was built around the 11th century with its archeological carvings and richness in history, the temple has been proposed by the Governor of Bali to be listed on the World Heritages Sites. Beautiful rice fields and rivers as the irrigation can also be seen near the temple area. To reach the temple area, visitors must walk about 600 meters from the parking area to the ticket counter after that, visitors must go down approximately 315 stone steps.

Gunung Kawi Temple has 2 ancient omission complex, they are the Temple Complex and Buddhist Temple Complex. In the Temple complex, there is an article of Kediri word "Haji Lumahing Jalu". Haji means king, Lumah means temple, Ing means pakerisan and Jalu means Keris literal, the entire word has a meaning "The king made a temple in Pakerisan". The article says that the temple is dedicated to Udayana King and anak Wungsu. There are several temples located in this complex. While the Buddhist Temple Complex is used as a residence and as a place for meditation.

 

The beautiful ancient carvings would make all visitors feel reborn to the past. Gunung kawi is one of the most popular historical tourist destination in Bali. Its ancient omission attracts many domestic and foreign tourist, Gunung kawi is a great place to visit when having a vacation to Bali.

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Bunut Bolong an Unique Sacred Tree | West Bali

Bunut Bolong is one unique tourist destination located in Manggisari Village, Pekutatan Sub district, Jembrana Regency. Bunut Bolong is a sacred tree which has a hole in its body, situated on the ridge of a hill with green tropical forest surrounding. This tree is named according to its unique character, "Bunut" is a Balinese name of a big tree species which has a similar characteristic as Bayan tree and the word "Bolong" means hole. Hence, Bunut Bolong means a Buntut tree which has a hole. The unique and sacred tree has a hole on the bottom, the diameter of the hole is so big that a road is built through it. People who lives near the tree believes that the tree has a strong magical aura.

On the side of the road, there is a shrine which accompanies this sacred tree. It is known as the Pujangga Sakti Temple, the temple is to honor the great sage Dang Hyang Sidhi Mantra which was believed who happened to pass the tree hundreds of years ago. Many Hindu people who pass this tree would stop by and present an offering. The locals also believe that the myth of Bunut Bolong is that brides and grooms should not pass under the tree, if they do their marriage would fail. On the west side of the tree, visitors would see a scenery of green tropical forest stretching from south to north, it is very beautiful and refreshing.

Bunut Bolong is a tourist attraction in a very natural condition, unlike other tourist attraction, parking area, toilets, restaurants and souvenir shops are not provided here. There are only small stalls selling simple snacks and drinks. The air is fresh and sometimes it can get misty, an interesting place to visit for visitors who would like to have a tour to a quiet and peaceful place. Bunut Bolong is commonly visited by domestic tourists, but sometimes foreign tourists also visit come and visit this tourist attraction although the number is not as much as the domestic tourists.

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Lempuyang Temple - The Temple of Thousand Steps

Pura Luhur Lempuyang is one of the nine directional temples in Bali. It is also known as the "Temple of thousand steps", it is called Temple of thousand steps because to reach the main temple area, visitors must climb about 1700 steps. The word Lempuyang is derived from 2 words "Lampu" which means light and "Hyang" which means God therefore the meaning of Lempuyang is Light of God. Pura Luhur lempuyang is located in the northeast of mount Agung, Abang District, Karangasem Regency, approximately 2.5 hours from Denpasar City. The temple is situated 1.058 meters above sea level and the atmosphere could be cool and humid according to the season.

It is not sure when the temple was built, according to the history, when the earth was only 70 years old, Bali was often hit by disasters. The God Pacupati who resides in Mount Sumeru saw the bad condition and sent his 3 children Hyang Gni Jaya, Hyang Putra Jaya and Dewi Danu to stabilize the island of Bali. Each of them were commanded to reside in different places, Hyang Gni Jaya was told to reside Lempuyang Luhur temple. Lempuyang Temple is a sacred temple and many Balinese Hindu come to this temple to pray and worship God and Its manifest. People make a pilgrimage at this temple is to obtain the sacred holy water by cutting a yellow bamboo plant which grows in the shrub in the inner courtyard of the temple.

Same as other temples in Bali, there are several rules when entering the temple. Visitors may not enter the temple without using a sarong, sarongs are provided for free at the entrance, for women who are on their periods are prohibited to enter the temple. Lempuyang Temple is a great tourist destination that should be visited when having a vacation to Bali. Visitors who are able to manage all the stairs would see a beautiful and exotic view of green scenery, hills and the village. The temple would give an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

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Lempuyang Temple (Pura Luhur Lempuyang), also called ‘The Temple of Thousand Steps’ is located at the summit of Belibis Hill (Mount Lempuyang), 1.058 meters above the sea level, northeast of Mount Agung, Abang District, Karangasem Regency and about a 2 ¾ hours drive away from Kuta. - See more at: http://travelling-bali.com/lempuyang-temple-bali/#sthash.Jjyyppo0.dpu

Lempuyang Temple (Pura Luhur Lempuyang), also called ‘The Temple of Thousand Steps’ is located at the summit of Belibis Hill (Mount Lempuyang), 1.058 meters above the sea level, northeast of Mount Agung, Abang District, Karangasem Regency and about a 2 ¾ hours drive away from Kuta. - See more at: http://travelling-bali.com/lempuyang-temple-bali/#sthash.Jjyyppo0.dpuf

Lempuyang Temple (Pura Luhur Lempuyang), also called ‘The Temple of Thousand Steps’ is located at the summit of Belibis Hill (Mount Lempuyang), 1.058 meters above the sea level, northeast of Mount Agung, Abang District, Karangasem Regency and about a 2 ¾ hours drive away from Kuta. - See more at: http://travelling-bali.com/lempuyang-temple-bali/#sthash.Jjyyppo0.dpuf

Lempuyang Temple (Pura Luhur Lempuyang), also called ‘The Temple of Thousand Steps’ is located at the summit of Belibis Hill (Mount Lempuyang), 1.058 meters above the sea level, northeast of Mount Agung, Abang District, Karangasem Regency and about a 2 ¾ hours drive away from Kuta. - See more at: http://travelling-bali.com/lempuyang-temple-bali/#sthash.Jjyyppo0.dpuf

Busungbiu Rice Terrace Beautiful and Relaxing

Busungbiu Terrasering is another beautiful rice field attraction located in the northern part of Bali, precisely, Kekeran Village, Busungbiu Sub district, Buleleng Regency. Bali offers many beautiful rice field attraction, Busungbiu Terrasering is one of it and lately is becoming one of the favorite among other rice field attraction. This beautiful rice field is situated by the main road from Denpasar to Singaraja via Pupuan sub district of Tabanan.

Like other rice field attractions in Bali, Busungbiu Terrasering also offers great panorama of rice field with hills as its background. The atmosphere is very quiet and calm, far from the city and crowds as well as pollutions. There are gazebos provided for visitors, it is very comfortable for relaxing and having a picnic. For visitors who like trekking, it is recommended to have a trek in this beautiful rice field. Visitors would see a clear fresh river flowing as the irrigation and also have a chance to see the farmers activities from a close distance. It is a great place to have a rest after a long journey from Denpasar, or on the way back from Lovina Beach.

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Belimbing Rice Terrace Calm and Impressive

Belimbing Rice Terrace is another beautiful rice terrace that can be found in Tabanan regency, Belimbing Village. It approximately takes about 2 hours to reach Belimbing Village from Denpasar City. Similar to Jatiluwih, Belimbing rice terrace also offers great view of rice field with Mount Batukaru backdrop. Although it is not as popular as Jatiluwih and is only known by few people, visitors who visit this rice terrace would be impressed by the beautiful panorama and scenery that is offered here. The atmosphere in Belimbing is relatively cool and calm, the best time to visit this rice terrace is in the morning, the green scenery would look very fresh combined with the morning dew.

Along the road of Belimbing, restaurants and food stalls are provided with simple and traditional menu. Visitors can enjoy delicious meals while viewing the beautiful panorama of rice field below and sometimes visitors also have a chance to see the activities that are done by the farmers in the field. This place is suitable for visitor whose hobby is painting and taking photograph of natural panorama. The beautiful scenery and views with the calm atmosphere of Belimbing would be a great object. Belimbing is a great alternative of rice terrace attraction for visitors who likes calm atmosphere.

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Margarana Monument Park - Feel the Struggle of Balinese People

Margarana National Monument Park is a park that memorialize the sacrifice of the Balinese people towards the Independence of Indonesia after the second World War. The park is located in Marga Village, Marga sub district, Tabanan Regency. I Gusti Ngurah Rai, one of the greatest hero in the Balinese history who fought the Dutch were killed together with his 96 men. His last stand was on the 20th of November 1946 in the village of Margarana and is known as "Puputan Margarana" (fight to death). Ngurah Rai was the spirit of the Balinese resistance and this monument park is dedicated to all of the Balinese fighters who lost their lives in the name of freedom between 1945 to 1950. Therefore, there are tomb of heroes lied on the park to honor the heroes who died in the war of independence.

The monument is lied on a 9 hectare land which is divided into 3 courts (Tri Mandala concept). 

• The first court (upstream) has a total area of 4 hectares, it consists of several buildings. The buildings include: The Temple of Heroes Margarana a 17 meters tall stately sculpture, Court of Ceremony, Statue of Panca Bakti, Taman Bahagia where the tombs of the hero lies, Historical Building a place where objects that are used during the struggle is stored and a Sacred garden where visitors can perform a worship.
• The second court (Middle) has an area of 1 hectare, in this court there is a Wantilan (hall) where visitors can sit and have a rest, there are several food stalls provided and a souvenir shop is planned to be built in this court.
• The last court (downstream) also has a total area of 4 hectares it is an open park and an Earth Youth Camps are planned to be built.

Margarana National Monument Park is often visited by domestic visitors and school students from all regions of Indonesia but sadly, it only receives little foreign visitors. This park is actually a great park to visit, visitors can honor heroes and see how hard Ngurah Rai and the Balinese people struggled for freedom.

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