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Bangli
Bangli
regency is the only regency in Bali without any coastlines.
However, this mountainous region has the most historic temples;
Kehen, Batur and Penulisan provide archeological remains linking
them to the era of King Udayana Warmadewa in the late 10th and
11th centuries. The lower land in the south part has fertile
plains and provides good rice growing terrain, decked with glossy
green ? blue terraces, clumps of bamboo, and waving palms. Above
Bangli, the vegetation becomes dense, as the climate is cooler.
There are coffee groves, salak, and other tropical fruits. Further
north is Kintamani and Mt. Batur, an extraordinary double volcano,
where there is a huge outer rim that rises up 1,745 meters at
Penulisan.
History
The cool, mountainous regency of Bangli was long fought over
by rulers from neighboring kingdoms, for here lies Lake Batur,
the major source of irrigation water for most of South and East
Bali and parts of the north. The ruling house emerged during
the early year of the Klungkung kingdom during the 1700s, to
which it is related. In the mid-1800s Bangli sought Dutch protection
from Klungkung, Karangasem, and Buleleng, but by the end of
the 19th century it was joining its former enemies against the
powerful Mengwi to the west. Due to its early recognition of
the Dutch, Bangli was spared during the conquest of South Bali
in the early 1900s.
Pura Kehen,
just north of the town of Bangli, is the second largest temple
in Bali, and a stirring example of the virtuosity of the stone-carvers
of the region. Founded in the 11th century by Cri Brahma Kemuti
Ketu. Pura Kehen has three courtyards, each entered through
a towering, carved gateway. Inside the second courtyard is a
venerable banyan (waringin) tree. This temple is also renowned
for the breath-taking, tall offerings which decorate the inner
courtyard at odalan festival times, and during performances
of the sacred "Rejang" dance.
Eco
tourism
The major point of interest for visitors to Bangli is without
doubt the highland area around Kintamani, which is perched on
the lip of Mount Batur's crater and looks out over the spectacular
crater lake. The best view is from Penelokan, a little to the
west around the crater from Kintamani, and from where one can
see the cone of Mount Batur smoldering away and the black traces
of its explosion on the landscape of the crater. A rather treacherous
road leads from Penelokan down the crater to Toyah Bungkah,
where soothing hot springs on the edge of the crater lake have
recently been tapped off to create a magnificent spa complex.
Toyah Bungkah is a pleasant place to stay the night and prepare
for an early rise and the two-hour climb up Mount Batur, arriving
in time to see the sunrise.
Traditional arts
Across the lake from Toyah Bungkah is the Bali Age (indigenous
Balinese) village of Trunyan. Most visitors come to see the
cemetery where, in accordance with local tradition, the dead
are left exposed to the elements. Those who time their visit
right will be fortunate to witness on of Trunyan?s rarely held
festivals featuring wooden ferris wheels and masked dancers
who whip bystanders. In the city of Bangli itself, the Sasana
Budaya Art Centre hosts occasional art exhibitions and performances,
and Kintamani's Balai Art Centre has spacious gardens and a
library.
Temple-going
One of Bangli's most interesting temples is Pura Batur, in Kintamani.
This huge complex, perched on the rim of the crater is devoted
to the goddess of the lake below. And in Penulisan, just north
of Kintamani is Tegeh Koripan, an ancient and mysterious temple
often hidden by mists and reached by a long flight of stairs.
Dusun
Kuning Waterfall
A peace waterfall surrounded by green forest with cool weather.
On the Southern part about 6 kms from the town of Bangli at
Taman Bali village, one could find a waterfall. Since its location
is in Dusun Kuning therefore it is called Dusun Kuning waterfall
by name. This waterfall is located 25 meters high above the
water level of Melangit river which is flowing down to the South.
This site can be reached by any transports and from this little
village one have to walk on foot through a 500 meter length
of path surrounded by green clove Garden both on the left and
right side.
Batukaang
Village
Batukaang village is located about 35 km from Kintamani. It
is known as a destination for visitors particularly interested
in culture.
Narmada
Baliraja
In the village of Tamanbali you can visit the gardens which
are the remains of the kingdom that once ruled there. The pool
on the grounds was used for recreation by the king of Tamanbali
and the ancestral temple honors Maha Gotra Tirta Harum Tamanbali.
Narmada Baliraja gardens is situated about 5 km south of Bangli.
Puncaksari
Temple
Located on the hill of Pulasari in Peninjoan Village, Pucaksari
Temple and its surrounding villages have a cool climate. The
temple provides a full view of a typical Balinese landscape
going all the way to the southern beaches of Bali. At down,
the sun rises behind mount Agung, amidst the tall, ancient tress
that grow by the temple. In the predawn glow, seen from a far,
a carpet of foliage which seem pristine an untouched. From the
hill's summit notice how the village compounds/scattered in
the valleys and hills complement the nature that surrounds it,
as if being a part of it all.
Panglipuran
Heroes Monument
This monument was built in memory of the freedom fighters in
the regency of Bangli, commanded by Captain Anak Agung Gde Muditha
with 18 Troops. This nine-storied monument was built in 1959,
on an area of 1,5 hectare in Balinese style and completed with
parking area, a field for ceremony and cura yudha building.
This monument was built in Panglipuran village because here
in this village Captain Anak Agung Anom Muditha was shot dead
by the NICA (Dutch Troop) during the revolution era.
Tegeh
Kuripan Temple Area
A long steep flight of stairs rises through the eleven terraces
of the temple complex.
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