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MOUNT AGUNG WITH BESAKIH TEMPLE "THE MOTHER TEMPLE IN BALI"

The mountains are the focus of all daily activities with holy Mount Agung as the great heavenward inspiration. All villages. Temple, family compounds, houses and furniture arrangements are designed to face "kaja" or towards the mountains. The seaward direction "kelod" on the other hand, is considered to be less sacred and at times impure.

Mountain slopes provide the ideal setting for the luminous terraced rice fields. The Balinese have an ingenious irrigation system controlled by a village organization called the SUBAK who keep these paddies well watered and the rich nutrients from the volcanic ash ensure these fields are also well fertilized.

Rice is the staple food for all Balinese people and sampling the steamed rice ( nasi putih ), red rice (nasi merah) or even yellow rice (nasi kuning) is a must. Rice also has sacred significance and it is offered back to the good in the form of brightly colored cakes or as a few grains sprinkled on a banana leaf.

HISTORICAL OF "AGAMA HINDU"

Our knowledge of Bali during its prehistoric age is insufficiently supplied as the historical records and artifacts are limited. It is supposed that the first settlers of Bali arrived very early in this prehistoric period although there are contrasting belief as to their origin.
Some say that Austronesian ( Malayo Polynesian) migrants arrived there to four thousand years ago while others believe that the first settlers came from China around 2500 BC. The modern Balinese language shows the reflections of the Proto Austronesian language and can be used to trace back the origin of the Balinese. It is also know that the descendents of the indigenous people who populated the island where the Bali Aga, who practiced animism.

Prehistoric artifacts that were discovered include gravesites, the sarcophagi stone and the "Moon of Pejeng ", a huge bronze kettledrum that is thought to have supernatural powers and is today kept in a temple in the village of Pejeng. Other was recently found in the Buleleng area.
One of the most dramatic and enduring developments in the history of Bali came about when a from of Hinduism, which had been introduced to Java, was transported to and widely accepted in Bali in the first century. This religion was, in fact a fascinating mix of Siwa Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, both originally came from India and brought to Indonesia by India traders. Artifacts found included statues, bathing places, caves and temple. Inscriptions dating back from around 800 AD were discovered on a stone pillar near sanur.

This new religion hit the peak of its success in Java came with the rise of the Majapahit Empire, but this Majapahits were eventually forced further east to Bali as Islam gained followers throughout Sumatra and Java. Some Javanese shamanism was thrown in en route and merged with Bali's own form of animism.

The Balinese initially resisted the arrival of the new religion and when the Majapahits first invaded Bali in 1343, Gajah mada, the Prime Minister of the Majapahit Empires, had extremely tough opponent in the Balinese king, Dalem Bedaulu. The Ubud and this was where much of the action took place. The king was so stubborn in his resistance that he became know by the Majapahits as "Pig head". Gajah Mada eventually defeated the powerful king and has been considered a hero and great holy man ever since.
The new from of Balinese Hinduism is called Agama Hindu Dharma, a blend of the element from Hinduism and Buddhism. Element of Mahayana...

Element of Mahayana Buddhism practiced in Japan, China, and Korea as well as the Indian caste systems are now important components of the religion.
An important believes is that spirits that have been appeased influences the elements of nature. As such, offering (sajen) made from agriculture products are offered to the spirit. It is believe that Gunung Agung is the dwelling place of the gods and the ancestor; it is revered as the "Mother" mountain and highly sacred to the Balinese. As water and volcanoes considered as the wrath of the gods come from Gunung Agung, the mountain occupies the pool of purity, kaja. In contrast, the pole of impurity is the sea, or kelod. Balinese Hinduism revolves around the kaja kelod axis and determines the spatial organization of the rituals, architecture and daily life. One sleeps, for example, with one head in the direction of the mountain.

SYMBOL OF BALINESE RELIGION

The main symbol of Balinese Hinduism or Agama Hindu is the Swastika, or the well of the sun. The foundations of the practices are to acquire knowledge of the epics and of theology of ritual worship. The main purpose of life is to be released from the well of reincarnation. One's in present life is believe to be a result of one's good or evil deeds accumulated from his previous life or lives. Once the soul is released from the cycle of reincarnation, he will become a good.
The principal gods are Brahma, the God of Creation, Wisnu, The God of Providence and Siwa, the God of Dissolution. These three move the world through an unending process of birth, balance and destruction. Man, a microcosm of the world, is subjected to the same process until he achieves moksa, blending into the Cosmos and God. The Cosmos and it movement are symbolized by the Swastika. Man should endeavor to maintain the harmony of the whole system, hence the rule of ritual. Only by adhering to the proper rules of behavior can the proper balance be kept between the two sets of godly and demonic force. Balinese religion is known to the world through the richness of its rituals. Gods and demons seem to be everywhere and the life of Balinese is therefore rich with abundant rituals.

BALINESE CALENDER

Balinese rituals are ruled by a complex calendar system, a combination of the Indian Saka calendar and the Wuku calendar. The Saka year rules the agriculture cycle and is divided into lunar months and fitted to the solar calendar by the addition of an extra month, every thirtieth month. The full moon and the dark moon are the most important ritual moments of this calendar. The first day of the Saka year, however usually in March are the day of Silence and of profound importance throughout Bali, a fasting day and a day for contemplation.

The Wuku year consist of a cycle of 210 days divided into thirty Wuku weeks, each of which corresponds to a specific activity. There is a week of weapons, of plantations and one of animals. They're other types of weeks varying from one to ten days, each having a name and number, being auspicious or inauspicious. The most important days in this system are Galungan and Kuningan.

BALINESE TEMPLE

Temples in Bali are simple walled open yards from which people can communicate directly with their gods and ancestors. Gods and ancestors normally visit "their" human worshippers or descendants during temple festivals (odalan), and during the Galungan and Kuningan holidays. They reside in miniature houses set in the temple, called the pelinggih shrines, which are alight with effigies of gold, coins or offerings.
During their length of their stay the gods and their companions are symbolically bathed, feted, put to bed and entertained with dances and other shows. Meanwhile members of the temple come and go over three or more days, with offerings and to get their share of holy water sprinkled over them and the offerings during the collective players.

VISITOR

As a visitor it is difficult not to be drawn in to the inherent magic of a place where the people and the land interact so closely, where the people draw so much meaning from the land and its spirits. You can see this magic in the long processions of flower and fruit laden villagers on their way to the temples, or in the glittering dancers acting out and ancient Hindu story. You can hear it in the lively clashes and clangs of the Gamelan orchestra, or the quit whispers of continually offered prayers. The countless sacred and secular dance, beautiful textiles and the wayang style of painting are among some of the elements of Balinese culture that have long captured the heart of visitors.

Whilst in Bali you may choose to participate in this magic by visiting one of the numerous temples with ancient Hindu symbols carved in huge slabs of stone. You may be lucky enough to observe a temple festival or public cremation.
Take the opportunity to see the graceful welcoming dance in which young girls tilt their heads and move rhythmically to the gamelan beat, sharing their flower offering with all. The Kecak dance, a hypnotic chant performed by scores of men circled around a large coconut oil lamp, where scenes from the Ramayana are re-enacted. Another must see is the legong dance, which includes a series of different dance scenes and styles.

ADVENTURE
The more adventurous can go trekking, four-wheel driving, white water rafting and one day full day cruises. There is nothing quite as river canyon or trekking through thick matted forests. It is always possible to feel some of the tribal Balinese magic when you venture out into the wilderness of Bali.
There are also ample opportunities to ride the most exciting surf in this part of the world, take leisurely walks in peaceful jungles, go diving, trek volcanoes and enjoy a wide range of delicious food.

Wherever you are and what ever you choose to do, enjoy the warm smiles and open embrace of a people who appreciate their whole way of live and would love to share some of its magic with you. The traditional prayer position of the hand and bow from the heart are welcoming gestures designed to recognize and honor your soul. If you experience but a small taste of this passion, your own lives will be enriched and if you also give something in return, in the way of respecting these people and their culture and supporting them as they find their way into the future, the benefits will be mutual.