Taro Village

Taro village is about 45 kilometers from Kuta. In this village there is a village forest inhabited by a group of white oxen. The animal was sacred by the local people. Usually these animals become complementary means of ceremonies in Bali. As a complement, the white bull was brought into place by the organizers of the ceremony and the ceremony was led around the area / place of ceremony from east to south and so on around three times. This ceremony is called the mapepada or prototype daksina. After the ceremony is complete white bulls returned to the jungle village of Taro, once offered a variety of offerings. Moreover, in this village there are two new attractions elephant trekking. Here you can ride elephants through the trail around the forest around the village of Taro. If you want, you can steer the elephant you rode a swim in the pool. 

Tickets

For tickets can get around by riding an elephant, you have to pay a ticket for U.S. $ 45. 

Access

Although access is not too wide, the road to the village of Taro pretty good. You can easily reach them with any vehicle. Unfortunately no available public transportation to this area.

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Indonesia at the glance

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with it is land size of 2,027,087 square kilometers and total of 13, 677 island, consist of provinces which are headed by governors. The main island are Sumatra, java, kalimantan, sulawesi, and irian jaya. Indonesia rests between the Asia and Australia continent, is a tropical country with two seasons (wet and dry). Wet season is from November to May and dry season is from June to October. Temperatures generally range from 20 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. Indonesia is divided into three time zone making it GMT + 7 hours for west Indonesia, + 8 hours for Bali and central Indonesia, and + 9 hours for east Indonesia. It is democratic Republic with a Presidential Government elected to five years term. It has approximately 180 million populations, made up of 300 ethic group making Indonesia the fifth most populous nation in the world. Bahasa Indonesia, the Indonesia National Language is spoken by most Indonesia people, while there are many local languages spoken by ethic groups in the villages and in certain places in accordance with the activity of the ceremony or Temple festival. In Indonesia dominated by 87% moslem, 7% christian, 3% budhist, and except Bali where the population is predominantly Hindu. Indonesia currency is rupiah, which is divided into hundred cents. Historically, Indonesia was ruled by many kingdoms, and the last importent kingdom to remind Hindu was the Majapahit, founded in the 13th century. Under the Prime Minister Gajah Mada, Majapahit spread it is power to Bali at 15th century when java was dominated by moslem an split into separate sultanates. Indonesia had been colonized by the dutch and also Japan which ended it is control at 1945, so Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, our independence a Democratic Republic Country based on Pancasila, the five philosophical foundations of the Indonesia state at August 17th 1945 in Gedung Pegangsaan Timur Jakarta. Note: GMT = Greenwich Mean Time is a universal time used as a basis for calculating time in most part of the world.

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About Bali Island

Bali island lies 3.2 km east of Java Indonesia and approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. East to west, the island is approximately 153 km wide and 112 km north to south (95 by 69 miles, respectively), with a surface area of 5,633 km². The highest point of Bali island is Mount Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains cover center to the eastern side, with Mount Agung the eastern most peak. Mount Batur (1,717 m) is also still active. About 30,000 years ago it experienced a catastrophic eruption — one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth
In the south the land descends to form an alluvial plain, watered by shallow rivers, drier in the dry season and overflowing during periods of heavy rain.
The principal cities of Bali island are the northern port of Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, and the present provincial capital and largest city, Denpasar, near the southern coast. The town of Ubud (north of Denpasar), with its art market, museums and galleries, is arguably the cultural center of Bali island.
There are major coastal roads and roads that cross the island mainly north-south. Due to the mountainous terrain in the island's center, the island roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains. There are no railway lines.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west black sand. The beach town of Padangbai in the south east has both: the main beach and the secret beach have white sand and the south beach and the blue lagoon have much darker sand. Pasut Beach, near Ho River and Pura Segara, is a quiet beach 14 km southwest of Tabanan. The Ho River is navigable by small sampan. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klating dukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside Pura Tanah Lot, this is not yet a tourist area.

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Kehen Temple

Kehen Temple is a beautiful Hindu temple located in foothills, south part of Bangli Regency and it is about 45 Km from Denpasar town. Inside of this temple are, there is Panyimpenan Temple building keep 3 inscriptions which is relating to its contents and temple existence. It is strategically located in the high land, so we can see the beautiful view. It is a famous temple in Bali and many visitors from foreign country has visited it.
Kehen Temple, The Story Review
The existence of the inscription at Kehen Temple can be explained as follows:

• Kehen Temple Inscription ‘A' is mentioning the existence of 3 sanctums those are Hyang Api, Hyang Tanda, and Hyang Karimama
• Kehen Temple Inscription ‘B' from 11 century is mentioning the empire functionary that is the Senapati Kuturan pu Kandara and it elaborate with the anathema words in oath
• The Inscription from 13 century (year 1204 M) is mentioning Hyang Kehen and Hyang Wukir. At the moment Hyang Kehen is equal to Kehen Temple and Hyang Wukir is Puncak Bukit Bangli Temple .

Function of Kehen Temple as follows:

• It is one of Monarchic Temple , The temple under the aegis of king while ceremony execution and construction is delivered to local countryside custom

• As a sanctum which is used as a altar (oath) for empire functionary who disloyal to his obligation will incur the Sapata or very horrible anathema. The function of Kehen Temple as sanctum in execution of oath ceremony is supported by the existence of a circumlocutory canister by 4 dragon tails which is called canister Sarpantaka. Nowadays, the canister is placed in a building in form of Gedong

• Worshiping supremacy Siwa God in the form of Eka Dasa Rudra utilizes to request the godsend to the good human life and universe for blessing of fertile life, secure, prosperous and peaceful.

The structure of Kehen Temple yard is arranged to have a terrace and it shows the existence of tradition megalithic which is continued as a symbol from the existence of mount that is one of the fertility sources. The temple festival can be divided into 2 types those are Piodalan Ceremony which is executed every 6 month, that is on Wednesday Keliwon Sinta (Balinese Calendar) and Ngusaba Ceremony which is executed every 5 years.

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Penglipuran Village

Penglipuran Village is a traditional countryside owning unique characteristic life, socializing and culture. It is located in Kubu Village , Bangli Sub district and Bangli Regency. The natural nature and environments of countryside is designating the pittance touch of modernization influence. This countryside is supported by cool atmosphere because it is located on the height land about 700 m above sea level and according to history of all old doyens that this countryside is taken away from the word Pengeling Pura what its meaning remember to ancestor, but there is also telling that the word of Penglipur mean the entertainer. It is said that at former empire era, all king often use this area as a place to amuse themselves, because its nature is beautiful and can give the peacefulness and inspiration at the time of experiencing a problem.

What to See at Penglipuran Village
The houses exist in this countryside from north to the south is look very beautiful in particular the Balinese traditional entrance gate which are made similar each other. When we step down to this village, we will meet the Balinese houses are oriented northeastwards to Mount Agung which is located in north-east of Bali Island . The structure of house building between one house and others are equal in particular to condition, form, size and function from the building except building of family bed room is freeform. The family temple building is places the same direction to the Agung Mount, kitchen is located in upstate from the lawn and the building of Bale Sakaenem is the six beamed building which its function for ceremony place. The place for look after the livestock and the place to plant assorted vegetable are referred as non irrigated dry field which is called Teba. Its Construction material is made from wood except family residence. It is predominated by substance from bamboo because around this countryside is bamboo producer.

Social Life System
The countryside is lead by a leader which is Bendesa or Kelian or Penyarikan or Patengan and he/she is assisted by Sinoman. The social system is recognized by the 12 group terms that are number 1 until 12 as member of Pemerincik that is commissioned member converse the problem or plan and its result is submitted to the member. They are very trusting of 12 groups and have represented the tradition in heritage away back. The Consanguinity System in this countryside is Patrilinial system that is according to father lineage. This countryside religion leader is called as Jero Bayan which is consisted of 3 Jero Bayans that is a Jero Bayan Mucuk and 2 people of Jero Bayan Nyoman. The specific cultural potential like pattern of building architecture remains to be traditional, the beautiful nature and environment with cool atmosphere, hence this countryside is the ideal place to visit during your vacation in Bali.

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Tabanan Hot Water

Tabanan Hot Water is one of tourist destinations in Tabanan regency, west part of Bali. it is about 15 minutes from Tabanan town and close to Batukaru Temple. It is set on the hill bank and the river valley just in front of it. There is a main pool located in the lowest level and just beside of river meanwhile other small pools are set on the bank. This hot water is come from the Batukaru mount and flows to the hill bank at Penatahan village, the location of Tabanan Hot Water.

 

Location
It is located in Penatahan Village, Penebel Sub district and Tabanan Regency. It is about 1,5 hour drive from Bali's International Airport taking the simple direction to go to Tabanan Town and access to Batukaru Temple. It is strategically located beside of main road from Tabanan town to Batukaru Temple .

Tourist Destination in Bali
Tabanan Hot Water is a potential place as tourist destination in Bali due to the place is unique with original hot water located in the river bank. We can find a hotel, restaurant and small spa in this hot water that completing this area a tourist destination in Tabanan Regency. It is many visited by local and foreign tourists who want to take a bath in the hot water while enjoy the natural nature surround it.

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Watukaru or Batukaru Temple

Watukaru temple or Pura Batukaru is one of the biggest Hindu Temples in Bali (Sad Kahyangan) with Catur Lokapala Temple and Padmabhuwana Temple status. It is set in the plateau area with lush tropical rain forest surround it. It is situated in the peaceful area which is far from the local resident that is ideally for worship. There are some temple building spread out through the tranquility of rain forest and the big mountain of Batukaru as a back drop.

Location
Watukaru or Batukaru Temple is located at Wangaya Gede countryside, Penebel District and Tabanan regency, and west part of Bali Island. It is located right on the foot of Mount Batukaru and about 1.30 hours from Denpasar Airport.

History and Temple Festival
The history of this temple is difficult to be found out even in the ancient omission exists in this temple. For example some profile area like harpoon own the Ancient Bali type, but no written data found it. The effort study and research of this temple history remain to find difficulties. The temple festival at Luwur Watukaru or Batukaru Temple is executed every six-month or 210 days which is every Thursday Umanis Wara Dungulan (Balinese Calendar), just the day after Galungan Day (the biggest Balinese Hindu Holidays). The extension day of temple festival is executed during eleven day, to give the opportunity for Hindu public society especially in Bali to come for praying. Pengempon (the society who take care of the temple) has the obligation to take care of the temple inclusive of ceremony execution. This fact is one of characteristic power outside of physical of Watu Karu Temple.

Watukaru or Batukaru Temple on Temple Festival
Kubayan is commissioned holy occupation lead the temple ceremony and his status higher than all priests in Pretending pertinent Ancient. In the execution of praying during the temple festival or the certain day ceremony, it has to be preceded by doing pray in Beji Temple which is located in eastside of Watu Karu Temple or inside of Madya Mandala (middle area) and Nista Mandala (outside area). After doing pray in Beji Temple, then the praying is continued in the main temple building located in the center of temple area. This is also not need again clean the hand and gargle because, it has been conducted the hallowing of body by conducting pray in Beji Temple. This is specification of praying procession in Watukaru Temple.

Temple Structure
The three elements temple area of Watukaru or Batukaru is equal to other temples in Bali generally which is consisted of outside area (Nista Mandala), Middle area (Madya mandala) and Center area (Utama Mandala). After refurbishing three temples are of this temple in some years ago, the element conception and structure of these three temple areas are progressively become everlasting and conceptual. This is especially in outside area where we can meet the existence of Wantilan building (Meeting Hall) which can be used for multifunction and it is located on the right of the entrance gate. The refurbishment at the parking area has made easy for the Hindu society or all tourists who pay a visit to this temple. It is also other public facilities like toilet which is located at outside temple area or the left side of entrance gate is in good condition and cleans enough.

Places of interest in Bali
Since the government improves the public facilities at Watukaru Temple or Pura Batukaru and appointed as a tourist destination in Bali, nowadays many tourists from local and foreign countries has come to visit this temple area which is the cold atmospheres surround it. The rain forest is covering the temple area and gives the fresh air and deeply the religious nuance. It is the ideal places for meditation and visited by religious travelers. You can join Batukaru Temple Tour if you wish to visit this temple other tourist sites like Jatiluwih Rice Terrace and Tabanan Hot Water.

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