Pengubengan Temple Besakih - Pura Pengubengan Besakih Karangasem Bali

Pengubengan Temple is the most distant of the Besakih Temple Complex. Located close to a pine forest with a higher position than the surrounding area, Pengubengan Temple offers an amazing natural panorama.

This temple is situated in Besakih Village, Rendang, Karangasem Regency, Bali. Access to the temple has now been easier, via the road from Pura Batu Madeg up to the parking area right next to the temple. This road can be traversed by motorcycle and car. The previous access (still exist) was via the narrow path through the Pura Gelap, the same path as heading to Tirtha Pingit Temple.

This holy temple is located on the south-western slope of Mount Agung, which is the highest point (3,142 meters above sea level) on the island of Bali. This spot also becomes one of the starting points for climbing to the summit of Mount Agung.

Hindu people who want to offer offerings to the summit but not possible to make the climb, can make these offerings at the Pengubengan Temple.

At Pura Pengubengan it is believed to be the "Pelinggih Pesamuhan Bhatara Kabeh" before the Bhatara Turun Kabeh Ceremony. The sacred rite "Bhatara Turun Kabeh" means "Gods descend together" and is celebrated annually on Purnama (full moon) Sasih Kedasa (around March or April). At this time, the Gods of all temples in the Besakih Temple Complex are believed to come and dwell in Pura Penataran Agung Besakih.

Pura Pengubengan is mentioned as one of the “Catur Eswarya Dala”. The Catur Eswarya Dala is four temples as a symbol of lotus flower petals which surround the PadmaTiga (Pura Penataran Agung). The temples included in the Catur Eswarya Dala are:

• Pura Pengubengan, as a stana of Ida Bhatara Sambhu/ Hyang Naga Taksaka. Naga Taksaka (Kaang) is believed to be a winged dragon, a symbol of atmosphere (the ruler of the upper realm).
• Pura Peninjoan, as a stana of Ida Bhatara Sangkara. This temple is known as a place when MPU Kuturan conducted a review (paninjoan) to see the whole Besakih Temple complex, when he did repairs and improvements in the 10th century AD.
• Pura Pasimpangan, as a stana of Ida Bhatara Hyang Rudra. This temple serves as a temporary resting place for Ida Bhatara Kabeh (during the Bhatara Turun Kabeh) after the ritual of Melasti.
• Pura Pasucian, as a stana of Ida Bhatara Hyang Mahesora. The temple serves as "pasucian" for the Ida Bhatara Kabeh.

The “piodalan” or temple anniversary celebration was held on Wednesday or Buda Wage Kelawu, every 210 days (six months in Balinese Calendar). Aside from piodalan, this holy temple is also visited by certain days such as Saraswati Day, Galungan Day, etc.

This temple has a beautiful traditional architecture and there are several supporting buildings. The main shrine is Meru Tumpang 11, a structure that resembles a pagoda with multi-storied roofs up to 11 (eleven) levels made of palm fiber.

From the temple courtyard visitors can see views of Mount Agung, agricultural crops of local residents, and also people's houses that look small in the distance. You can spend time while enjoying the fresh air of the mountains and the cool atmosphere of the dense pine forest around the temple. This is a miracle, a combination of nature and spiritual, so calm and peaceful.

Reference

1. google.co.id
2. wikipedia.org _ Besakih Temple _ on January 2, 2020
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besakih_Temple
3. Image : Original Collection

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