Lempuyang Temple

The Lempuyang Temple is a holy temple located in the regency of Karangasem on the top of Belibis Hill, north east of Mount Agung, Bali. Lempuyang is one of Bali’s six major temples, apart from the temple of Uluwatu, Watukaru, Andakasa, Ulun Danu Batur, and Besakih Temple.

Lempuyang Luhur in Balinese cosmogony is known as the Temple of the East, the dwelling place of god Iswara, the guardian of peace. The meaning of the word “lempuyang,” which is the name of this holy temple, has been disputed for a long time.

Some said that the word “lempuyang” was derived from “lampu” (light) and “hyang” (God), and “lempuyang” means “God’s Light.” Some say “lempuyang” means a seasoning of kitchens which can be used in some traditional medicines. And another said that the word “lempuyang” comes from the word “emong or empu,” meaning “guardian.”

Lempuyang Luhur is rather small compared to another six major shrines in Bali and has only the few shrines that are a padmasana or the shrine of God and two padmasana-like shrines that have a unique foundation, dedicated to Hyang Gnijaya, founder of the Lempuyang Luhur temple, and his sons.

A piyasan or pavilion usually serves as a place for offering, as well as a priest, who officiate the ceremony, and a gedong for storing the ceremonial equipment in the masonry building. The primary reason for the pilgrimage of the Balinese is to get the sacred holy water.

This holy sacred water is obtained by cutting off a yellow bamboo plant, which grows in the shrubs in the temple’s courtyard; the fresh bamboo cutting drips holy water. Unfortunately not all pilgrims, only the lucky ones will get this holy water.

Climbing to the temple, it is worth calling it an exercise, given the number of steps, it also gives a picturesque view of the forest and of the mountains around.

The steps are slippery in the rainy season and infested by leeches. Balinese pay tribute to this temple, particularly during the full moon at night.

The island of Bali was unstable at the beginning of the creation at the age of only 70 years; for months there were earthquakes every day, torrents, constant lightning and thundering, the only weather.

This condition was seen by God Pacupati, who lives on Mount Sumeru, and sent his three children to help stabilize the island of Bali. Thrree of his sons Hyang Putra Jaya, Hyang Gni Jaya, and Dewi Danu have come and lived in Bali, in three places: Dewi Danu is in Mount Batur, Hyang Putra Jaya is in Mount Agung, and Hyang Gni Jaya is in Lempuyang Luhur.

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