Pura Jagatnatha

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Pura Jagatnatha (in Denpasar)

This temple was built in the 1970's for the worship of Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Supreme God.  It is crowded on the full and new moons, and on Kajeng Kliwon, which falls every 15 days in the Balinese calendar.  It has a very tall padmasana shrine.

Temples include village temples, clan temples, market temples, irrigation temples, temples to nature deities and "state" temples of former kingdoms.

Parts of a temple include:  "candi bentar" or split gate which is used as an entrance, "bale piasan" or a sacred pavilion for placing religious offerings, "kulkul" or watchtower with a drum to warn of danger, and "pelinggah" or shrines/seats of the gods.  There are pavilions for village councils or where music is played. There are always courtyards and walls are built to surround the temples. Inner courtyards are always closed to the public.

The padmasana shrine or "lotus throne" has an empty seat at the top open to the sky, signifying the Supreme God.

Elaborate gate and inner courtyard.

Pelinggih are shrines or "seats" of the gods.  The stones, trees and other natural objects are believed to be dwellings for invisible beings.  These spirits are appeased with offerings. The black and white checked textile known as "poleng" can be wrapped around statues and other objects.  Parasols indicate that a deity is present. 

Taman Puputan

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Denpasar is Bali's bustling provincial capital.  Some older buildings predate the Dutch invasion of 1906 and there are still some white-walled red-tiled structures dating from colonial times.  On the streets can be seen several statues commemorating heroes of Indonesia's struggle for independence.  Around the main street, Jalan Gajah Mada, are shop houses built by Chinese, Arab and Indian traders.  Shopkeepers from all over Bali buy wholesale here.

Taman Puputan

Puputan translates as "ritual fight to the death", and this large square in the middle of town (once the site of Denpasar's palace) has a huge bronze statue which commemorates the puputan of 1906. The square is much more peaceful these days, and makes for a pleasant green oasis amid the bustle and noise of Denpasar.

Governor's Mansion (across from the square)

A guard allowed us to step inside to take a picture.

Bajra Sandhi Monument

Saturday, December 19, 2015

We arranged for a taxi driver to take us to Denpasar to see a temple, a museum, a monument and a market  -- because, well, that's what tourists do.  

Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat Bali 

It is also called Bajra Sandhi because its shape resembles a bell bajra which is used by Hindu priests during religious ceremonies.  It is a monument to the struggle of the people of Bali and preserves the Balinese culture for future generations.  It has 17 stairs at the main door, 8 grand pillars inside the building and it rises 45 meters.  We enjoyed viewing the dioramas showing the history, wars, struggles and independence of the Balinese people.  It is located in front of the Office of the Governor of the Province of Bali.  It was built in 1987 although it looks centuries old. It occupies a vast area with soccer fields surrounding.

Good thing there was a sign so that we can look 

it up on Wikipedia later.

We watched a bride and groom as a photographer snapped formal wedding pictures.  The bride was covered in white (polyester) from head to toe and it was about 95 degrees. 

Puri Lukisan

Friday, December 18, 2015

Museum Puri Lukisan in Ubud

The "Palace of Painting" was created by Ubud's prince Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati and Dutch painter Rudolf Bonnet.  It was conceived in 1953 out of concern that Bali's finest works of art were disappearing into private collections around the world.  The museum's holdings are mainly 20th century Balinese painting and wood sculpture, including important collections from the 1930's.  The grounds, with their gardens and ponds, are a shady, tranquil oasis in the center of Ubud.

Beautiful rice patties on our way to Ubud

Traditional Bali entrance

Outdoor cafe on the museum grounds

The War of Subali and Sugriwa

Before Jatayu died he told Rama that his wife had been kidnapped by Rawana.  In his quest to find his wife, Rama met Hanoman who reported that there was a fight between Sabali and Sugriwa because of a misunderstanding between the brothers.  (cloth and Balinese color)

Kala Rau (1974) I Ketut Budiana, of Padang Tegal, Ubud 

paints the lunar eclipse of Balinese myth 

The Adiparwa of the Indian Mahabharata epic tells a story of the demon Kalarau who drinks the elixir of life.  The sun and moon warn the deities, who decapitate Kalarau as the liquid enters his mouth.  In revenge the immortal head of Kalarau swallows the sun and the moon goddess Ratih, causing eclipses. At the end of an eclipse, she emerges intact from his severed neck. (acrylic on canvas)

colorful batik dyed cloth