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| Goa Gajah Temple |
| Rabu, 19 November 2008 |
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 Goa Gajah Temple is Located in the village of Bedulu, Blahbatuh district, in the regency of Gianyar. Only 26 Km from Denpasar, it is just a short drive from the beach resort of Sanur and Kuta. Beside the temple are art shop and restaurants to cater for the needs of visitor.
Around the temple beautiful rice field line the ravine through which flows the Petanu River. Nearby can be found the historic sites of Yeh Pulu, Samuan Tiga, Gedung Arca, Arjuna Bertapa, Kebo Edan, Pusering Jagat, the temple of Penataran Sasih, and others.
The history of Goa Gajah is not known definitely. In a literal translation "Goa" means cave and "Gajah" elephant. The name is a fusion of the name Pura Guwa Gajah (Temple Cave), as it is called by the local people, and the ancient name as it appears in the scriptures know as Ergajah and Lwa Gajah.
The names Antakujarapada and Ratnakunjarapada, also containing the meaning of elephant (Kunjara), can be found in the scriptures of Negara Kertagama, which date back to between the 10th and 14th centuries. This is validated by ancient relics found in the area.
In the courtyard at Goo Gajah Temple can be found and ancient source of holy water, 12 by 2'3 meters in size, devided into 3 compartment. The no them most compartment has '3 stonecarved fountains, and so does the southemmost. In the middle area all that remains is the base of the fountain. Approcimately 13 meters from here, on the northern side, is a cave like meditation niche in T shape, 2 meters in height and and about 2,75 meters wide. In the left and right conners of this niches can be found a fourther 15 meditation. In the easthem most corner are three linggums, and in the western most cotner a statue of Ganesa. With in the temple yard other fragments of the ancient ruinshave been found, which have not yet been reconstructed the surreunding walls on the western side still remain, forming a compartment around the steep drop beside the temple.
Approximately 100 meters to the south of the holy spring can be found the remains of a candi walls. Part on the base of this shrine still remains, although much of it is in disrepair. Achatra with 13 umbrellas can be found beside this. The body of this candi is connected by attractive stone carved decorations. There also a catra with 3 branches. Two statues of Budda in the Dyanamudra style stand near a stone niche which looks ready to collapse at any time. Another meditation niche can be seen opposite this, with a resting house and pool. The archeological site of Goa Gajah dates back to the 11 th century, at time when Hinduism was relevantly new in Bali.
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posted by Bali @ 22.23  |
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| Welcome to Bali Article |
| Balinese Life |
| Selasa, 18 November 2008 |
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Some religious ceremonies in Bali are usually completed with sacred or wali dances. They are closely related to the procession of the ceremony. By its absence, it may be considered incomplete, as this dance constitutes a part of the ritual itself. And,
of course, they are always performed in sacred places like at temples and other areas where the ceremony takes place. They are called sacred dances since they bring offerings or ingredients like canangsari in the Pendet dance, thread in Rejang Renteng or yellow rice in Sidakarya mask. In addition, all dancers must have been ‘purified’ through mewinten rites for adults otherwise they should be underage girls who are still virgins or unmarried. Perhaps, the last but not least, this dance is never performed for commercial purposes like public entertainment or a theme for a dinner party.
Dance is also a devotion to the Supreme Being. Balinese people (Hindu devotees) would be very glad when they dance for this purpose. They call it ngaturang ayah (literally means devotional service). The more so, if the dancers are children, this opportunity becomes a beneficial process of learning where they are introduced to one core of Balinese art that is useful for their future learning, especially in dancing.
Sacred dances are performed on temple festivals, human exorcism rites, Ngaben ceremony and so forth. On the temple festival, when the melasti procession has just been completed, all divine manifestation has been put to their thrones, the devotees usually prepare a rejang dance in the middle courtyard. A group of young girls, fewer than twelve, make their devotion through dances. They show off their rhythmical dance in front of the shrine complex in bright yellow and white colors costume. Their headdresses are made of fresh young coconut leaf decorated with flowers.
In Hindu mythology, or Usana Bali chronicle, this Rejang symbolizes the vidyadhari (female angels) who accompany the deities come down to earth to witness the ceremony. While the gandharvas (heavenly artists play various gamelan) to accompany the dance. This mythology is then believed to be the base of the sacred Rejang dance.
Another sacred dance is wayang lemah. It is a puppet shadow play that’s presented without a screen and lantern at noon. It uses a thread and perforated coin tied on two dadap (Erythrina subumbrans) twigs instead of a screen. This symbol makes a bridge between the visible and invisible world so the performance of the ritual will flourish. In the Ngaben ceremony, the Balinese usually perform a puppet shadow with special titles like Cupak’s Passage to Heaven or Bhima Svarga in which both recount the journey of both figures to heaven. It is expected that this could become a ‘travel companion’ for the soul to heaven since both stories carry much information on what to do and where to go. |
| posted by Bali @ 07.31 |
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| Meditation |
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 For hundreds of years ago, wise men and yogis have practiced meditation and extolled the benefits. In today’s hectic world there is no better time to take up meditation. What is Meditation?
In simple terms, meditation is quietening your mind. If you stop for a moment and watch your thoughts you will notice that you are always thinking. You may be worrying about this and that, planning something, replaying earlier events or conversations. All the time your mind is an incessant chatterbox. With meditation you can clear your mind, quieten and even stop, the chatter - and reap enormous benefits. Why Meditate?
The benefits of meditation are immense. Practicing meditation regularly has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Living a calmer life allows you to live longer and more happily, you look younger than your years, and you are much more able to cope with life’s inevitable setbacks and difficulties. Meditation has also been shown to increase alpha brainwaves. Alpha brainwaves are the type of brainwaves used in creativity and problem solving. The more you meditate the more creative you will become which could lead to both personal and professional breakthroughs. How Do You Meditate?
There are tapes and CDs available to help guide you into a meditative state but they are not necessary. All that you need is to find a time and place where you can relax and not be disturbed. The environment should be quiet and comfortable. You can play soothing, quiet music if you wish. The intention is to relax your mind. One way to do this is to focus on an object or a sound to occupy the mind and stop it chattering on about anything else. Some people who meditate focus on a candle flame or a flower. Or you could close your eyes and focus on a sound in your mind, such as Ah-umm or Ohmm. The most important thing to remember about meditation is not to force anything. Meditation is not concentrating, it’s not forcing, it’s not even trying. Meditation is relaxing and allowing. It is Being. When Do You Meditate?
You can meditate at any time you choose - morning, noon and night. You can even fit in a session of meditation during your lunch break from work. There are no rules about meditation. See what works for you. And equally, there are no rules about how long you should meditate. If you can only manage five minutes a day you will still feel the benefits after a very short period. Some of the Eastern holy men meditate for hours, or even days, at a time. While their experiences might be more heightened than yours, it really isn’t necessary to meditate for great long periods. Meditation is easy. Meditation is relaxing. And meditation is very good for you - try it and see for yourself.
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| posted by Bali @ 07.24 |
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| Bali Bomb Tragedy Commemorated by Thousands |
| Sabtu, 08 November 2008 |
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Thousands of people, celebrated the sixth commemoration of the Bali Bomb Tragedy I at several locations in Bali. Both domestic and foreign tourists as well as Balinese people solemnly participated in memory of those lives lost that night. Proceedings took place at ground zero near the location of the explosion happening at around 23.45 Local Time six years ago. From the morning, family of the victims, surrounding communities and tourists who happened to be passing through at location did not let such moments pass. Amongst the crowds, there was the Japanese consul who also brought a wreath.
In the meantime at Kuta Beach, commemoration was marked with some activities like Paddle for Peace, turtle hatchling release, pigeon release and peace contemplation. 100 surfers, both local and international, who were visiting Kuta, participated in the Paddle for Peace.
The committee prepared 22 turtle hatchlings and 5 pigeons. “The figure 22 represents the number of countries becoming the victim of Bali Bomb I. Meanwhile, the figure 5 stands for peace and diversity,” explained Deputy Head of Kuta Beach Task Force, Wayan Jirna.
At night, some 10 thousand bamboo torches were paraded from Kuta Beach area heading for the ground zero. The procession was accompanied by beleganjur traditional orchestra and local and foreign tourists and tens of family members of the victims of 12 October 2002 Bali Bomb who represented a number of countries.
Meanwhile later, approximately 15 thousand candles were lit simultaneously at nightfall at the area of Bajra Sandhi Struggle Monument at Puputan Margarana Square, Renon, Denpasar. Such candle firing accompanied by prayers said by six interfaith figures was organized in relation to the “Peace Reverberation”.
(Bali travel news*) |
| posted by Bali @ 18.09 |
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