| History
of the Temples
 The
origin of the term ‘Pura’ as a place of
worship for Hindus people in Bali (Indonesia)
was existed during the Reign of Dalem in
Bali. The term Kahyangan or Hyang was known
previously. Before the term ‘Pura’ was known
to show a place of worship for Hindus people
in Bali. Even during The Ancient in Bali
Age the term ‘Ulon’ was used that means
holy place or a place used for connecting
with God. This thing was written in Sukawana
ancient inscription AI (882 M).
So was in Kehen Temple inscription the term
Hyang was also mentioned. According to palm
manuscript of Usana Dewa, it was Empu Kuturan
who taught Hindus people how to make “Kahyangan
Dewa” (shrine for God) as he did in east
Java. Empu Kuturan was a Hindu Figure who
came from Java to Bali during the Reign
of Marakata and the youngest child of King
Udayana.
The arrival of Empu Kuturan in Bali had
changed religious life. It was Empu Kuturan
who taught people how to build Sad Kahyangan
Jagat, Kahyangan Catur Lokapala, Kahyangan
Rwabhineda in Bali. It was he who expanded
Besakih Temple into by building Meru Gedong,
etc. He also taught the building of Kahyangan
Tiga in every customary village in Bali.
Besides teaching how to build temple physically,
he also taught about spiritual for example:
kinds of ceremony, kinds of ‘Pedagingan’,
shrine etc as mentioned in Dewa Tattwa palm
manuscript.
The uniqueness of Bali Island could be seen
from its cultural aspects such as the great
number of Hindu religious and Balinese tradition
ceremonies. There are many incidental ceremonies
like: funeral, cremation, marriage and others,
those could not be scheduled regularly,
while on the other hand Temple ceremony
or local people call “Odalan” is a temple’s
anniversary celebration, held regularly
according to the traditional Hindu calendar
system.
During a Temple’s ceremony the whole villagers
around it are totally involved since its
preparation few days or weeks before. Temple
ceremony commonly lasts for three days,
and the greater one last for 11 days or
even 42 days. A good ti1me to attend the
temple ceremony is in the afternoon till
evening
where you could see young
women with beautiful temple offerings on
their heads in long parade lead to the temple,
mass praying, traditional dances or performance
and much other ritual activity.
To get into the temple during its ceremony
days, Temple custom strictly should be put
on, while for other days one should wear
polite dress with Temple sash (often viable
at every front of the temple) circle around
waist . It all means to show respect ness
to God as well as to local tradition which
ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. Temple
in Bali is called Pura, which translates
“literally as “place”, and the temple can
be classified into four character of the
temple they are:
1. Public Temple 2. Territorial Temple
3. Functional Temple 4. Family Temple
PUBLIC
TEMPLES
 The
main characteristic of these types of temples
is their use to worship God, Hyang Widhi
(Brahman) in this various forms or ‘Ista
Dewata’ by Hindus community not only those
from Bali but also from somewhere else.
Public Temples are also called ‘Khayangan
Jagat Temples’ with their typical and general
characteristics such as
(1). Pura Agung Besakih, (2). Pura Ulun
Danu, (3). Pura Lempuyang, (4).Pura Luhur
Andakasa, 5). Pura Goa Lawah, (6). Pura
Luhur Uluwatu, (7). Pura Luhur Watukaru,
(8). Pura Puncak Mangu, (9). Pura Pusering
Jagat
Other temples that are also grouped into
public temples besides being used to worship
God in these various manifestations, they
are also used to honor mighty of The Great
Priest or Holy Priest, due to all Hindus
people feel in debt with these Priests for
their merits to have given guidance on Hindus
Learning, in their Holy trips to Bali. For
instance holy trip done by Danghyang Nirartha
or also known as Abhiseka Danghyang Dwijendra
or Ida Pedanda Shakti Bawu Rawuh, because
of His role and position as ‘Dang Adi Guru
Loka’ (the Priest) at certain places he
had passed through during such holy trip,
he built temples. Temples that are grouped
into Dang Khayangan are;
(1). Pura Purancak , (2). Pura Rambut Siwi,
(3). Pura Srijong, (4). Pura-Pura Luhur
Pakendungan, (5). Pura Luhur Tanah Lot,
(6). Pura Pulaki, (7). Pura Ponjok Batu,
(8). Pura Sakenan, (9). Pura Peti Tenget,
(10). Pura Luhur Uluwatu.
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