Peninjoan Temple - Pura Peninjoan Besakih Bali

Peninjoan Temple or Pura Peninjoan is a holy temple located on a beautiful small hill. Here are lots of green grass, towering pine trees, and awesome views from the area below. You can enjoy the time here while enjoying the cool mountain atmosphere and nice landscape views.

This temple is situated in Besakih Village, Rendang, Karangasem Regency, Bali. You can reach this temple from Pura Batu Madeg through the road to the northwest. The road is not too wide and a bit winding, but can be passed by motorcycle and car. This is the same access to go to Pura Pengubengan and Pura Luhur Catur Lawa Ida Ratu Dukuh.

The existence of the Peninoan Temple Besakih is related to the story of a holy priest from East Java named Mpu Kuturan. The priest came to Bali in 923 Saka or 1001 AD, during the reign of King Udayana and was given the task to organize religious life in Balinese society. He is mentioned as a holy priest who adheres to Shiva-Buddhist teachings.

In ancient records he is also often referred to as MPU Rajakerta or Senapati Kuturan. He gave guidance to the Hindu community in Bali. He taught about the procedures for building temples, making Meru shrine, Kahyangan Tiga, about the rules of Asta Kosala Kosali and others. This guide is still widely practiced by the Balinese Hindu community today.

It is stated that Mpu Kuturan observed Besakih Temple as a whole from Peninjoan Temple. At that time he was planning to repair and expand Besakih Temple. The number of temples that existed back then was not as much as today. The priest meditated at this temple when he came to Besakih. When the weather is clear, from this point you can see Pura Penataran Agung Besakih and also a panoramic view in the south.

The "piodalan" or temple anniversary celebration at Pura Peninjoan falls on Thursday or Wraspati Wage Wuku Tolu, every 210 days (6 months in the Balinese calendar). The temple 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 PadmaTiga (Pura Penataran Agung). These temples 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 Paninjoan, as a stana of Ida Bhatara Sangkara. This temple is known as a place when MPU Kuturan conducted an observation to see the whole Besakih Temple.
• 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 Celebration) 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.

Peninjoan Temple has a unique traditional Balinese architecture, including: Meru, Bale or Pavilions, and other supporting buildings. The main building is Meru Tumpang 9, a structure that resembles pagoda with multi-storied roofs up to nine (9) levels made of palm fiber. Meru is a symbol of the mountain and even deeper as an embodiment of the universe and everything related to the spiritual aspect as a holy place of gods.

Reference

1. google.co.id
2. wikipedia.org _ Besakih Temple _ on January 7, 2020
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besakih_Temple
3. Image : Original Collection

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