GUNUNG KAWI TEMPLE
Gunung Kawi Temple is collection of beautiful temples located in a river valley surrounded by rice fields and forests. This has been one of our favorite day trips for years.
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This Temple is a collection of ten temples, created to evoke the appearance of the temple front and designed to provide a place to live for the souls of ancient kings. the temple is carved into the valley walls on both sides of the Pekerisan River. Gunung Kawi Temple does have an interesting history. The inscriptions on each temple approximate the date of construction to be in C. 11 It is believed that each temple served as a warning for deified royalties mainly . because they were shaped like burial towers, or this temple, found throughout Central Java. But in Java they are free standing while those found on Mount Kawi are actually carved in solid rock relief.
While the exact origin of the temple is unknown, there is evidence to suggest that the first of five sets were built in honor of King Anak Wungsu, who ruled over central and eastern Bali extended from AD 1050 to AD 1080. It is possible that one was built for him and the other four for his wife, who would be ceremonially suicidal after his death.
Gunung Kawi Temple Complex
Gunung Kawi Temple is two rows of ancient royal tombs on the banks of the Pakerisan River deep in a ravine overlooked by terraced rice fields. Suci Pakersian River flows through the center of Gunung Kawi . Cutting the site into two separate parts with a bridge connecting one side to the other. It is believed that the holy water from Pakerisan sanctifies Gunung Kawi, and the beauty of the place evokes a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
On the east side of the river are five temples which are the main groups in this complex. Cross the bridge of four temples on the west side. The remaining temple at the southern end is often referred to as the ‘tenth tomb’. At the bottom of the stairs and to your right side through a small field (about one kilometer) where the tenth tomb is located. The legend to this amazing place is interesting. It is believed that the mythical giant Kebo Iwo carved all ancient tombs in one night with his nails.
There are 3 temples called Gunung Kawi in Bali. the 3 temples are Gunung Kawi in Sebatu countryside, Gunung Kawi Temple in Keliki countryside and Gunung Kawi Temple in rural Babitra. Behind the small temple you can find several meditation caves. it is from pre-Hindu place where monks and pilgrims come together to meditate.
History of The Temple
If we look at it from the name we know today, maybe the possibility of Mount translation as Gunung dan Kawi is a poet, so that Gunung Kawi can mean a mountain of poets. The river that forms a cliff whose slope is cut for the temple is Pakerisan river, keris means a long Balinese knife or knife. What is actually called the name is not clear until now. today people consider this complex as part of a temple that was built later. Seeing from history is not part of a temple in the meaning of worshiping the Hindu God, but has a relationship with the king’s personal deification.
The complex consists of 5 smaller complexes, and includes 6 complex temples. Two complexes on the eastern slope of the river and 3 complexes are on the western slope. Two complexes facing each other are separated by rivers identified as belonging to the king and queen or concubines. The complex for the king consisted of 3 candis cutting stones and a complex for the Queen consisting of 4 candis cutting stones. It is difficult to understand that only the temple for the king was made in 3. Maybe the king was with 2 main concubines, and 4 candis on the other side of the river were only for other concubines. At the temple door for the king mentioned in the king’s inscription died in Jalu. Jalu can mean kris or spurs, sharp little knives armed to battle chickens.
The Temple Influence
Which king is monumentalized here? was un-answered questions until now, except based on writing very decorative inscriptions called “quadrilateral Kadiri writing style” . Influence Attending the kingdom to Bali only arrived around 1227 AD under Raja Kertanegara. While the date is carved on a stone statue on Mount Panulisan in the same style as dated 1011 AD, 1074 AD, and 1077 AD. While the period between 989 AD 1001 AD was the rule of King Udayana Warmadewa with his Ratu Mahendradatta.
In their charter it was stated that the king of Udayana was deified in “Banyu WKA”, and that Queen Mahendradatta was deified in Buruan which had been identified, and only Banyu WKA was not identified to date, and archaeologists suspect that Banyu WKA is Gunung Kawi, as Banyu means water, and WKA means clear or clean, so it must be deified in a river with very clean water, but an ancient monument just renovated is Pura Mangening which also refers to the name Ening or clearly. The problem is the temple complex is not large, only one stone temple with a small zone. When compared to the queen monument in Buruan it makes sense that the king does not need a large complex to commemorate him.
Monumentalized of Gunung Kawi Temple
So that is monumentalized on Gunung Kawi? Some archaeologists believe that is the son of Udayana, both king Marakata Pangkajasthana or Anak Wungsu. The rules of Marakata are unknown and there are not many records of his government. Different from Wungsu’s son who issued many inscriptions and he was a king diligently making every note which led to the idea that he was a great king just like his father Raja Udayana. With the length of time the verdict from 1049 AD to 1077 AD can be proof that during his administration the condition of the community was good, and it was impossible for him to be respected by all his people.
As a matIf we look at it from the name we know today, maybe the possibility of Mount translation as Gunung dan Kawi is a poet, so that Gunung Kawi can mean a mountain of poets. The river that forms a cliff whose slope is cut for the temple is Pakerisan river, keris means a long Balinese knife or knife. What is actually called the name is not clear until now. today people consider this complex as part of a temple that was built later. Seeing from history is not part of a temple in the meaning of worshiping the Hindu God, but has a relationship with the king’s personal deification.
The Name of Gunung Kawi Temple
As a matIf we look at it from the name we know today, maybe the possibility of Mount translation as Gunung dan Kawi is a poet, so that Gunung Kawi can mean a mountain of poets. The river that forms a cliff whose slope is cut for the temple is Pakerisan river, keris means a long Balinese knife or knife. What is actually called the name is not clear until now. today people consider this complex as part of a temple that was built later. Seeing from history is not part of a temple in the meaning of worshiping the Hindu God, but has a relationship with the king’s personal deification.
Gunung Kawi Temple Entrance Fee
To Enter the Gunung Kawi Temple you need to get a ticket Entrance which is 50.000 per person.
Gunung Kawi Temple on Google Map
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