Tuesday 20 August 2013

Pura : Balinese Hindu temple

Balinese temple

A pura is a Balinese Hindu temple. and the place of worship for the adherents of Balinese Hinduism in Indonesia. Most of the puras are found on the island of Bali, as Hinduism is the predominant religion in the island; however many puras exist in other parts of Indonesia where there are significant numbers of Balinese people. Mother Temple of Besakih is the most important, the largest and holiest temple in Bali. A large number of puras have been built in Bali, leading it to gain the nickname "the Island of a Thousand Puras".
The term pura originates from the Sanskrit word , meaning "city", "walled city", "towered city", or "palace". During the development of the Balinese language the term pura came to refer to a religious temple complex, while the term puri came to refer to palace, the residence of kings and nobles, similar to Javanese kratons.
Unlike the common
temple, puras are designed as an
within enclosed walls,
intricately decorated gates
walled compounds contains
(pavilions). The design, plan and
trimandala concept of Balinese
mandala zones arranged
towering indoor Indian Hindu
open air place of worship
connected with a series of
between its compounds. This
several shrines, meru , and bale
layout of the pura follows the
space allocation. Three
according to a sacred hierarchy:
However, the layout
facilities of the two outer zones,
mandala, are somewhat flexible.
bale kulkul, could be built
also, the perantenan could be
rules for arrangements the
nista mandala and madya
Several structures, such as the
as outer corner tower;
located in the Nista mandala.
There are two types of
architecture: the split gate, known as
tower gate in Paduraksa
agung. Both types of gates have
architectural design. Candi bentar is
mandala, while the kori agung is
madya mandala and Utama
rules for gate types are also
compounds such as puri, nobles'
gates within Balinese
candi bentar, and the roofed
style, usually called kori
specific roles in Balinese
the gate used in the nista
employed as the gate between the
mandala inner compounds. The
valid for non-religious
and kings' residences.
There are several types
certain functions of Balinese
Balinese calendar.
of pura, each serving
rituals throughout the
-
The Sad Kahyangan, Sad
temples of the world" are the six
According to Balinese beliefs,
of the island. They are:
Kahyangan Jagad or the "six
supremely holy temples in Bali.
they are the pivotal points
-
Other famous puras in
Tabanan, where two puras were
overlooking the Indian Ocean as the
Bali include Tanah Lot in
built on a coastal rock
shrine to honor sea deities.

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