Aura
of this temple is very intense. It does not only retain shrines in Balinese
architecture, but also features a temple of old Javanese style. This sacred
ancient relic remains to survive up to these days. For a venue of meditation,
it must be solemn. Moreover, if it is carried out in Garba Cave located in the
east of the temple exactly at the Pakerisan riverside, the ambience will surely
be more stable. Foreign tourists are very eager to visit the sanctuary.
It’s
the Pengukurukuran Temple. It is believed to be the first to measure the
strength of Bali in the past time. Here, the strength of Kebo Iwa was measured
before becoming a chief minister in ancient Balinese kingdom. The location on
the edge of Pakerisan River was used as a school for the kings of Bali. Its
location is at the Sawagunung customary village, Pejeng, Tampaksiring
subdistrict, Gianyar County.
Chief
of local temple priests, Jero Mangku Dewa Gede Rauh, revealed the temple had
some shrines along with the sites originating from ancient times. The temple
spreading across 2 hectares of land was said to be the venue where the kings of
ancient Bali measured the land, including finding a suitable place to build the
center of a temple. The values of prehistoric and historic remains in the form
of Great Temple were stored in the shrine of Ratu Bujangga. Meanwhile, in the
east of the temple, exactly on the edge of Pakerisan Temple, lay a relic named
Garba Cave believed to guard the temple. It was said the cave was once taken
advantage by Chief Minister Kebo Iwa from Bedahulu kingdom.
In
the south of the temple occurred a stone path and rock stone gates. The road
was heading for the Garba Cave. There was a stone containing a trace of
footprint whose size exceeded the size of a human foot soles and believed if it
belonged to Kebo Iwa. At the making of a ladder, the stones were said to walk
by itself pursuant to the will of Kebo Iwa. Uniquely, every time stepping down
the stairs, the amount was always different.
According
to story developing in the area, before Kebo Iwa became a Chief Minister of
Bedahulu his competency was tested by the royal officials, including by Ki
Pasung Grigis, known to have a supernatural power. The place where to measure
the supernatural strength was known as Dharmma Hanyar. Since Kebo Iwa was
unbeaten he was finally accepted to fill in the position as Chief Minister of
Bedahulu. On that account, the capability of Kebo Iwa was measured in the
Dharmma Hanyar, where the place was then called Pengukurukuran.
