Gianyar is a regency (kabupaten) in the Indonesian province and island of Bali, Indonesia.

It has an area
of 368 km2 and population of 470,380,[1] making it the second most densely populated district in Bali
(after Badung).[2] Its regency seat is Gianyar. The civil registry survey of April 2011 listed 480,447
people, of which 469,929 were classified as Hindu.[3]

The regency is divided into seven districts (kecamatan), listed below with their 2010 Census populations:
[5]

Sukawati 110,429

Blahbatuh 65,875

Gianyar 86,843

Tampaksiring 45,818

Ubud 69,323

Tegallalang 50,325

Payangan 41,164

Gianyar Regency's civil registry recorded 480,447 residents by religion, in April 2012, 97.8% Hindu.

Keramas Beach

Black sandy beach in Keramas Beach, Blahbatuh district has hosted international surfing competitions in
the last couple of years with limited facilities such as uneven road and no parking lots. On June 18–29,
2013, Keramas Beach was on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)'s 2013 Men's World
Champhionship Tour schedule as the Oakley Bali Pro.[7][8]

Sports

In football, Bali is home to the football club Bali United, which plays in the Liga 1. The team was
relocated from Samarinda, East Kalimantan, to Gianyar, Bali. Harbiansyah Hanafiah, the main
commissioner of Bali United, explained that he did the name change and moved the homebase to Bali
because there were no representatives from Bali in the highest football tier in Indonesia.[9] Another
reason was that local fans in Samarinda prefer to support Pusamania Borneo F.C. more than Persisam.
Pura Luhur Batukaru is a Hindu temple in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia. Located on the southern slope of
Mount Batukaru, Bali's second-highest volcano, the temple is one of nine kayangan jagat (directional
temples) meant to protect Bali from evil spirits. Originally built during the 11th century, Pura Luhur
Batukaru was dedicated to the ancestors of the rajas of Tabanan. It was destroyed in 1604, but rebuilt in
1959. The temple's most important shrine is a 7-tiered meru dedicated to Mahadewa, the God of Mount
Batukaru.[1]

Today, Pura Luhur Batukaru remains an extremely sacred site for Bali's Hindu population. Many of the
complex's grounds remain off-limits to visitors for various ceremonies and events throughout the year.
The temple is also the first stop one must take before ascending to the summit of Mount Batukaru. A
pilgrimage takes place to the peak once a year, and may see thousands of worshipers walk its trails at
once.[2]

Antonio Blanco Antonio Blanco was born on September 15, 1911, in Manila, the capital of the
Philippines. Both of his parents were Spanish, a fact that Blanco believed linked him geographically and
spiritually to Miro and Salvador Dali. His father settled in Manila during the Spanish - American War,
where he attained prominence as a physician. Blanco was educated at the American Central School in
Manila. During his high school years he loved the arts, literature and language classes but struggled in
scientific subjects. It is no wonder that he spoke six languages - Spanish, French, English, Tagalog,
Indonesian and a bit of Balinese. After completing high school in Manila, Blanco studied at the National
Academy of Art in New York under Sidney Dickinson. During those early formative years, Blanco
concentrated on the human form, fascinated by the female body more than any other subject matter.
To further his studies and ignite his traveling spirit, he traveled extensively throughout the world before
he finally landed in Bali in 1952.The King of Ubud gave Blanco a piece of land to set up his home and
studio in Campuan, Ubud, at the confluence of two sacred rivers. Blanco and his Balinese wife, the
celebrated dancer Ni Ronji, lived in their mountain retreat, barely leaving it for the world outside.
Following a brief trip to the United States, where Blanco acquired many new collectors, the couple never
left their fantasy home again.

Living in serene surroundings with his four children, Tjempaka, Mario, Orchid and Maha Devi, Bali
became Blanco's center. He was fascinated by the island and completely captivated by its charm.
Blanco lived and worked in his magical hilltop home until his death in 1999, feverishly creating his
fantasy portraits of beautiful women. Surrounded by lush gardens, rice fields and with a Banyan tree
standing over his family's temple, Antonio Blanco proceeded to create a new reality for himself. His
artistic outpourings of this isolated world became much sought after by eager art lovers, collectors and
promoters. Within a few years, Blanco became the most famous foreign artist to make Bali his home. He
was recognized in both Indonesia and abroad, receiving numerous Blanco Awardsand commanding huge
prizes at international auctions.

By the end of his life, Blanco had begun building his museum at his studio in Campuan. Dramatically, he
died just before its inauguration. His funeral was marked by a very important Blanco Cremationin Ubud.
It was Blanco's dream to turn his studio-mansion into a museum. His son, Mario, fulfilled this dream by
following his path to become a painter. The Blanco Renaissance Museum is now open to the public,
exposing both the maestro's and Mario's art works..