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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Petitenget Temple - Another Beautiful Beachside Temple

Petitenget Temple is a Hindu Temple located in Banjar Batu Belig, Kerobokan Village, Kuta, Badung Regency. It is about 20 minutes away from Ngurah Rai International Airport. This temple is one of the Dang Khayangan Temple in Bali. It is an interesting Temple to visit due to its unique architecture and its nature surroundings. The temple is set in a higher land and in the west of the temple lays a beautiful Petitenget beach with greyish white sand. There are several shrines in this temple, locals come and pray regularly to this temple.

The word Petitenget is derived form two words Peti which means coven and Tenget which means haunted, the temple was built in the 15th century and the history tells that the temple was placed in a wild area full of bushes and huge trees just like an untamed field. A priest called Dang Hyang Dwijendra left Serangan island and arrived in Kerobokan Village. There he met Bhuta Ijo, a spirit which is believed to have a very scary look. Before leaving the village, the priest gave Bhuta Ijo a box looking like a coven and told him to guard it. The priest left to Uluwatu for a meditation, during his meditation, a visitor from Kerobokan Village came to him for help. The men told the priest about the area in Kerobokan which was very bad for the inhabitants, because every time someone entered the land, that person will get sick. As a solution, the priest built a temple which is now known as the Petitenget Temple.

In front of the temple, there is a large parking area. The parking area is mostly used by visitors who come to visit the beautiful beach near the Petitenget Beach. The area is surrounded by villas, hotels and restaurants, therefore this area is becoming a great tourist destinations. The beach is crowded in the mornings and afternoons, many locals come to play at the beach, for dog lovers, it is a great place to visit because there are many people come to this beach with their dogs and various breed of dogs can be found in the beach.

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Petitenget Beach	Petitenget Beach

Jagatnatha Temple - The Biggest Hindu Shrine in Denpasar City

Jagatnatha Temple is a temple located in the center of Denpasar City. It is situated in Major Wisnu street in the east side of Puputan Badung field and next to the Bali Museum. Jagatnatha temple is the biggest Hindu temple in the capital city of Bali Province and categorized as Khayangan (Seventh heaven). It is a public shrine to worship Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God), on Balinese holidays including full moon, the temple will be full with the locals to come and pray in the temple. This beautiful temple is appointed as one of the tourist destinations in bali, as the temple can easily be reached from any directions.

The name Jagatnatha is taken from a special name unlike other big temples in Bali which their names are taken from the location where the temple is situated. Besides that, what makes this temple different from other temples is that Jagatnatha temple does not have Pengemong or group of people or team who support and maintain the temple like other temples in Bali. At the beginning, the temple was managed by the temple committee of Jagatnatha. But these days, Jagatnatha Temple has been taken over by the government of Denpasar City.

The elements of Jagatnatha Temple are Padmasana or the main shrine as the seat of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God), A fish pond surrounding the Padmasana with Titi Ugal-agil (a wooden bridge) the function is to purify every Hindu people who is entering the main temple area, twin canopies that has a function to put the embodiment of God on the ceremony procession, Altar of Sang Hyang Antaboga, a well for taking Tirta or the Holy Water. There are also some Bales around the temples that is used on specific occasions.

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