Article and Photo: Alpha Savitri

Gunung Kawi Bali,

a Place for Spiritual
Goings-on
Rich in historical and spiritual significance, Gunung Kawi was once a favorite site of the
country's first president Sukarno when he visited Tampaksiring Palace in Gianyar
regency, a kilometer away from the mountainous region.
A former official of the president at the palace, Ngakan Dewa Gede Dharma, said
Sukarno built steps leading to the meditation site in Gunung Kawi.

Gunung Kawi, which is also a burial site of Bali's famous king Sri Udayana Warmadewa,
was originally called Amarawati temple but, after Java's Majapahit kingdom expanded its
influence as far as Bali, the name was changed into Gunung Kawi, meaning artificial
mountain.
Now, it is an ideal site for those wanting to relax and escape,the noisy commotion of the
city.

According to local residents, Gunung Kawi is often visited by officials hoping for a
promotion or successful career. A local Hindu priest, who wished to remain anonymous,
said that shamans from various parts of the country were among visitors coming to
meditate in the area.
Many skillfully carved caves, temples and shrines are located deep in the center of this
hilly area, which is regarded as an important spiritual center.

While walking down the hundreds of steps to reach the main site, visitors can enjoy
views of magnificent and enchanting rice fields, ravines, hills.-and the Pakerisan river
that traverses the area. At the end of the steps, one will see a stone wall with a carving
that resembles a cave. Here, a natur passed away in the Jalu, or Pakerisan river) engraved
on King Udayana's tombstone; Rwa Nakira (my two sons) on Marakata's and Anak
Wungsu's tomb al melody of sounds emanating stones; and Rakyan (ministers) from the
river can be heard. On the ministers'tombstones. Around the river, visitors will notice
scattered caves and temples covered with moss, evoking an mood of ancient times.
These temples have carved stone walls. Slim with multilevel roofs, they resemble Hindu
temples found in Java. Balinese call these temples paderman.

The graves of King Warmadewa and his wife, as well as those of his ministers, arc buried
in several paderman and local people believe they can communicate with the spirits of the
king and his family there.
According to anthropologist and lontar (palm leaf) manuscript expert, Dewa Beratha, the
temples at Gunung Kawi were built in the 9th and 10th centuries by Marakata, who began
construction, and continued by Anak Wungsu. Both were sons of King Udayana. It is
estimated that the king died between 933-938. The temples were probably built based on
King Udayana's wish for the area to be his spiritual resting place. There are four temple
complexes in Gunung Kawi, lying in the east, west, south and southwest of the Pakerisan
river.

According to Dewa, the king was buried in the eastern part of the complex with
Marakata, Anak Wungsu and two wives. The king's ministers were buried in the
southwest complex.
Ancient Javanese words are found on those graves, such as Lumah ing Jalu, "It could be
the king's preferred ministers who were buried here," Dewa said. Ancient Javanese words
in the west complex are no longer readable while those in the south are incomplete,
prompting the residents to call it the Batal (Canceled) temple. Caves covered with moss
scattered around the temf5les were once used by priests dnd members of their families to
meditate.

Out of the caves, there is a biggest one. And according to Dewa, the biggest cave is now
reserved for priests only. "Only certain priests are now allowedto meditate or perform
religious' rituals there," Dewa said.
(Alpha Savitri)