Penataran
Sasih Temple has very long historical traces. It is estimated to have existed
before the Hindu influence in Bali as evidenced by the presence of kettledrum
relic belonging to old age, namely circa 300 BC. Similarly, there is a statue
relic believed to originate from the animism period, such as the statute of
ganesh, phallus, catur muka and Shiva Bairava as symbol of truth.
There
are many myths developing on the existence of the bronze kettledrum sizing
186.5 cm. Some people call it the Moon of Pejeng because it resembles to a
moon, while the others relate it to Kebo Iwa, a chief minister of the ancient
Balinese kingdom as his earrings. Then, some associate it with the story on the
urine of maling meguna.
Operation
Manager of the Penataran Sasih tourist attraction, I Wayan Budiana, said the
temple belonged to kahyangan jagat or universal temple and situated at Intaran
hamlet, Pejeng village, Tampaksiring. The temple was believed to be the oldest
one in Bali and estimated to have existed during the Dong-son period in China
mainland.
The
great kettledrum has star and facial ornaments in front side. The octagonal
star is believed to have been used to show directions. While the frog face on
the next side symbolizes the invocation of rain for fertility. In
front of the entrance into the middle courtyard, there is a chronogram as a
symbol of Balinese calendar (Saka New Year’s turn). Upon entering the gates,
you will encounter the bale pegat pavilion functioned to neutralize impure
mind. Beside it lies a padma kurung shrine as the only one shrine in Bali.
“When a grandiose ritual like panca walikrama is held in this temple, it will
be performed a Sanghyang Jaran dance,” he said.
The
grandiose ritual, he continued, fell every 50 years. The dancers would be
determined by deities through a trance. When dancing the Sanghyang Jaran, the
dancers were not burned by the fire. Meanwhile, the temple anniversary or
piodalan fell on full moon in Sasih Kesanga or around February, a few days
before Nyepi.
This
temple is supported by 4 hamlets namely the Intaran, Pande, Puseh and Guliang.
Nevertheless, every temple anniversary was also usually assisted by the
surrounding villages around Pejeng and took place for 4 days. “After the temple
anniversary and when the deities have come back to their respective abode, the
local devotees organized a sampian war,” he added.
Meanwhile,
a day before the culmination of ritual, the devotees held the procession of
ngiderang dangsil paraphernalia. “This kind of attraction is very favored by
foreign tourists,” he said. Then,
related to tourist visits, according to Budiana, highly depended on the
condition in the tourist visit to Ubud. When many tourists made a visit to
Ubud, it also had an impact on the tourist visit to Penataran Sasih Temple.
“Frankly
speaking, we have not made maximal promotion whereas the temple retains various
uniqueness and charms. On that account, we expect the Gianyar County government
can promote the history and culture of this destination,” he hoped.
