The Tomb of Queen Ayu Siti Khodijah: A Story of Multiculturalism and Legend in Denpasar

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The tomb of Ratu Ayu Siti Khodijah serves as evidence that multiculturalism has long existed in the city of Denpasar. This tomb is located to the north of Setra Agung Badung, in the Pekraman village of Denpasar, precisely to the east of Pura Dalem Kahyangan Denpasar.

Ratu Ayu Siti Khodijah Pemecutan is the tomb of one of the daughters of the Raja Pemecutan named Gusti Ayu Made Rai, also known as Raden Ayu Pemecutan. However, it is unclear which Raja Pemecutan she descended from. She married Raden Sosroningrat, the son of the Raja of Bangkalan, and after their marriage, Dewi Ayu moved to Madura, converted to Islam, and changed her name to Siti Khotijah.

The story of Raden Ayu Pemecutan resembles the legends of princesses from royal courts throughout the archipelago. The princess was renowned for her beauty and beloved, becoming the flower of the kingdom. Many nobles in Bali wished to propose to her. However, misfortune struck when the princess contracted jaundice. Raja Pemecutan attempted to heal his beloved daughter, but was unsuccessful. In desperation, he held a contest: whoever could cure her would be rewarded, marrying the princess if male, or being adopted as a royal child if female.

Kabar tentang sayembara ini terdengar oleh seorang ulama di Yogyakarta dan mempunyai seorang anak didik yang jadi raja di Madura yaitu Pangeran Cakraningrat IV. Ulama yang dalam buku Sejarah keramat Raden Ayu Pemecutan disebut Syech ini memanggil Pangeran Cakraningrat IV ke Yogyakarta untuk mengikuti sayembara tersebut. Raja Madura ini berangkat ke Bali, hasilnya dapat ditebak Raden Ayu Pemecutan dapat disembuhkan oleh Pangeran Cakraningrat IV.

Setelah sang putri sembuh, lalu Raden Ayu Pemecutan dan Pangeran Cakraningrat IV dikawinkan. Tentunya dalam perkawinan muslim, keduanya harus beragama Islam, Raden Ayu Pemecutan pun jadi mualaf dan bergelar Raden Ayu Siti Khotijah. Sang putri lalu di boyong ke Madura oleh Pangeran Cakraningrat IV.

Suatu ketika Raden Ayu pulang ke Bali beserta 40 orang pegiring dan pengawal. Pangeran Cakraningrat IV memberikan bekal berupa guci, keris dan sebuah pusaka berbentuk tusuk konde yang diselipkan di rambut sang putri. Sesampainya di kerajaan Pamecutan, Siti Khotijah disambut dengan riang gembira. Namun, kala itu tidak ada yang mengetahui bahwa sang putri telah memeluk agama Islam. Suatu hari ketika ada suatu upacara Meligia atau Nyekah yaitu upacara Atma Wedana yang dilanjutkan dengan Ngelingihan (Menyetanakan) Betara Hyang di Pemerajan (tempat suci keluarga) Puri Pemecutan, Raden Ayu Pemecutan berkunjung ke Puri tempat kelahirannya. Pada suatu hari saat sandikala (menjelang petang) di Puri, Raden Ayu Pemecutan alias Raden Ayu Siti Kotijah menjalankan persembahyangan (ibadah sholat maghrib) di Merajan Puri dengan menggunakan Mukena (Krudung). Ketika itu salah seorang Patih di Puri melihat hal tersebut. Para patih dan pengawal kerajaan tidak menyadari bahwa Puri telah memeluk islam dan sedang melakukan ibadah sholat. Menurut kepercayaan di Bali, hal tersebut dianggap aneh dan dikatakan sebagai penganut aliran ilmu hitam.

Due to the guards’ ignorance, the “strangeness” witnessed in the palace courtyard led them to report it to the king. The king became furious and ordered the execution of Raden Ayu Siti Khotijah. She was taken to a large burial area, and upon arriving at Pura Kepuh Kembar, Raden Ayu expressed her premonition regarding this situation.

Raden Ayu requested not to be killed with a sharp weapon, but rather with a hairpin tied with betel leaves and wrapped with three colored threads. She reminded them that if the scent was foul, they should bury her; but if it was fragrant, they should build a sacred place called kramat.

After Raden Ayu's death, it was confirmed that fragrant smoke emerged from her body, astonishing the patihs and her attendants. The king deeply regretted his decision. Raden Ayu's body was buried at that location, and as per her request, a sacred place called kramat was constructed, which was managed by Gede Sedahan Gelogor, who served as the palace chief at Puri Pemecutan.

Diving into the History and Traditions of Pura Tambang Badung: From Pura Taman to Pura Penambangan Badung

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Pura Tambang Badung is located in Banjar Pemedilan Kerandan, Desa Pemecutan, Denpasar, specifically on Jalan Gunung Batukaru, just west of Pura Pasah Pemedilan. This temple is one of the ancient temples in Bali.

Originally named Pura Taman, it later became Pura Ayu Panesteran Panembahan Badung before finally being known as Pura Penambang Badung. Pura Tambang Badung hosts several traditions, including the Baris Tangklong dance performed during Penampahan Galungan and the Siyat Sampian tradition celebrated during Manis Kuningan. These traditions aim to purify and instill a sense of chivalry among the community.

Pura Penambangan Badung serves as a royal temple for the Badung Kingdom. According to traditional sources, this temple was established during the early days of the Badung Kingdom by Kiyai Jambe Pule, who was honored with the title Kiyai Anglurah Pemecutan I.

The name Pura Penambangan is closely linked to the blessings received by Kiyai Jambe Pule at Mount Batukaru, symbolized by a whip (cemeti) and a rope (tambang). The temple represents the bond that ties the families and residents of Pemecutan together. Within the temple, various palinggih (sacred structures) stand, including the paibon (family ties) of all the individuals who contributed to the establishment of the Badung Kingdom.

There are a total of 52 palinggih, 18 of which are palinggih paibon, while the rest are dedicated to various important temples in Bali. This temple is maintained by the residents of Puri Pemecutan. The pujawali ceremony (the anniversary of the temple’s founding) is held every Purnama Kadasa (the full moon in the tenth month of the Balinese calendar, around March).

Muntig Siokan Inspiration Park: A Nature Paradise and Sunset Spot in Sanur

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This park is located on Mertasari Beach in Sanur, positioned on the western side of the beach near the parking area.
The Taman Inspirasi Muntig Siokan tourist destination has been developed by the local community of Desa Adat Intaran, Sanur. The park offers a wide range of amenities, from playgrounds and traditional Balinese pavilions called jineng, to canoe rentals. Here, you’ll find local food stalls serving affordable snacks and beverages, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

One of the park's main attractions is the opportunity to ride camels and horses—a favorite activity for both children and adults. Additionally, local residents offer canoe rentals for those who enjoy paddling. For visitors planning to spend the entire day here, there are traditional Balinese gazebos with thatched roofs, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view.

The park also features a dedicated play area for children, complete with swings and paddle boats shaped like ducks. It’s the perfect spot for families to unwind, enjoy the beach atmosphere, and watch the boats anchored offshore.

Taman Inspirasi Muntig Siokan is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and sunset admirers. This beautiful park offers the opportunity to admire the lush greenery of the forest and witness mesmerizing sunsets disappearing beyond the horizon.

The park boasts a rich and fertile forest that serves as a home to various flora and fauna. It is an ideal place for nature enthusiasts to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with the natural world. Visitors can take leisurely walks through the forest and immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings. The park also features a stunning lake, adding to the natural beauty of the area.

One of the main attractions of Taman Inspirasi Muntig Siokan is the breathtaking sunset that can be witnessed from the park. As the sun slowly sinks behind the horizon, the sky transforms into a range of colors, creating a beautiful spectacle that will captivate visitors. The park offers various vantage points from which visitors can watch the sunset.

The park is not only popular among local visitors but also attracts many domestic tourists from outside of Bali and even foreign tourists. The natural beauty of the park and its peaceful ambiance make it an ideal destination for those seeking a break from their busy lives. The park offers various activities such as jogging, cycling, and picnicking, making it a perfect place for families and groups to spend quality time together.

In conclusion, Taman Inspirasi Mertasari is the perfect destination for those looking to admire the natural beauty of Bali and witness the stunning sunset as it disappears beyond the horizon. The park’s peaceful ambiance, combined with cultural and artistic events, makes it a must-visit for tourists from around the world. Come and experience the magical twilight atmosphere of Muntig Siokan!

Subak Sembung: An Eco-Tourism Paradise and Running Haven Amidst the Rice Fields of Denpasar

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Running enthusiasts won’t want to miss this destination. Subak Sembung, also known as Uma Pala, is a must-visit spot for those who love jogging in a scenic environment. Located on Jalan Ahmad Yani in the village of Peguyangan, North Denpasar, this subak (traditional irrigation system) offers a refreshing experience with its lush rice fields and fresh air. The narrow pathways through the paddies are paved with concrete, spanning about 1 kilometer in length and 2 meters wide. A clear water canal runs alongside the path, irrigating the rice fields.

Subak Sembung has become a popular ecotourism destination for international delegates, making it a gem to explore in North Denpasar. Spanning 11 hectares, this area allows visitors to see firsthand how traditional subak systems are utilized as a form of sustainable tourism. If you’re lucky, you might get to chat with some of the 200 local farmers who work daily to preserve this subak amidst the threat of land conversion.

Despite being a tourist attraction, the farmers at Subak Sembung continue their agricultural activities as usual. Several bale bengong (gazebos) are placed along the path, providing visitors with a place to rest and enjoy the stunning green scenery. The farmers here no longer use chemical fertilizers, opting instead for organic methods, in line with the subak’s traditional regulations (awig-awig) that forbid converting paddy fields for other uses.

Subak Sembung Ecotourism is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of agriculture and tourism. At this subak, visitors can also sample traditional snacks sold by locals near the entrance and parking area. Speaking of which, ample parking is available, so there’s no need to worry about where to leave your vehicle. For those who prefer to avoid the heat, it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon before sunset. You’re sure to fall in love with the charm and beauty of Subak Sembung, also known as Uma Sari.

Pura Dalem Kedewatan

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Pura Dalem Kadewatan located at Sanur Village was one of the cultural heritage of Denpasar in Sanur. This Pura was built in XV-XX Masehi and before moved to Sanur, this Pura was located in Tangtu, at the edge of Ayung River.

When Tangtu was heavily flooded by the river, all the ceremony was postponed. That’s the moment when the locals decided to moved this Pura to the south, to Tegal Asah, where the land countour has stages and they found a higher place and shine. The place inspired the name Sanur, it came from the word Sa = means one single and Nur = means holy light.

The rituals held in this Pura is using the spiritual timing on Tilem day to triwara kajeng, often named as Tilem Kajeng. Tilem was a prabhawa from Sang Hyang Siva that also had a form as Sang Hyang Yamadipati (The God of the dead) who had the vanishing power.

The dances of Sang Hyang will be performed on the piodalan day.  One of the dance is Sang Hyang Jaran. This dance is very sacred and stopped performed in 1938 and then finally resume on 2016.

 

This dance showed a horse played and showered with fire with two Pratima in red and white. This sacred dance will feel scary when the dancer as Sang Hyang Jaran playing with a real fire in the middle of the pura and all the songs played in sacred way.

 

One day after piodalan Tilem Kajeng, the people will do the gebogan offerings along the village. This gebogan will be carried by the womens wearing white and yellow kebaya to praise God for all the blessings. This ceremony called Mepeed.

Pura Dalem Penataran

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PURA DALEM PENATARAN

PURA DALEM PENATARAN

Pura Dalem Penataran located close to Pura Siwa Dampati. This Pura was built around XVIII-XIX. In Its Gedong Dalem there are sculpture mentioned the year 1793 or 1871 Masehi. Most part of this building which is Gedong Dalem, Palinggih Sumur Suci, Palinggih Hyang Api (Lebuh Geni), Paduraksa Candi Kurung (Kori Agung) and other statues was made from red bricks and rockstone.

Dampati Shiva Temple

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PURA SIWA DAMPATI

DAMPATI SHIVA TEMPLE

Experts predicted that Pura Siwa Dampati was made within XVIII-XIX century. This pura still in good shape with red bricks and related to Pura Dalem Penataran.

Dampati means The Meeting. In Regweda writings, Dampati also refer to a unity between a man and a woman that cannot be separated. This meanings was believed as a manifests of the unity of Siwa and Sakti, the Durga Goddes in Pura Dalem Penataran.

This complex consists of

Gedong Siwa Dampati, Paduraksa Candi Kurung (Kori Agung), dwarapala statue, and a priest statue (Brahmana).

Segara Temple

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PURA SEGARA

SEGARA TEMPLE

PURA SEGARA

SEGARA TEMPLE

Experts predicted that Pura Siwa Dampati was made within XVIII-XIX century. This pura still in good shape with red bricks and related to Pura Dalem Penataran.

Dampati means The Meeting. In Regweda writings, Dampati also refer to a unity between a man and a woman that cannot be separated. This meanings was believed as a manifests of the unity of Siwa and Sakti, the Durga Goddes in Pura Dalem Penataran.

This complex consists of

Gedong Siwa Dampati, Paduraksa Candi Kurung (Kori Agung), dwarapala statue, and a priest statue (Brahmana).

Dalem Jumeneng Temple

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PURA DALEM JUMENENG

DALEM JUMENENG TEMPLE

PURA DALEM JUMENENG

DALEM JUMENENG TEMPLE

Still within the beachside of Segara Ayu, there is Pura Segara Ayu. Since there is no authentic history about this Pura, but the structure is very similar with Pura Dalem Jumeneng with layers of Gamping stones. Therefore the experts made an assumption that this Pura was built in Megaliticum age.

The fishermen and all the village people surround that area use this Pura to give offerings, celebrations, and praying. Mostly, they use it to ask a blessing for fishing.

In Balinese, Segara means the beach or seaside, and also known as the territory of Wisnu, the Hindu God. They celebrate piodalan (the birthdays of the pura) on Purnama Kedasa (Purnamaning Sasih Kedasa)

There are 3 spot to place offerings; Palinggih Gunung Agung, Palinggih Gunung Batur, and Palinggih Dalem Segara. All the offerings send for the goodness of the nature, and the mountain. Later in the days, the people surround the area made 3 statues to completed the architectural design; dragon, turtle, and elephant fish statues.

Palinggih Bathara Bayu

is the place to praise Bayu, the God of the wind for Hindu Bali

Penyawangan Ratu Mas Melanting

Queen Melanting and Queen Jilih Lambih was the goddess for fertility, life goodness, and prosperity.

Linggih Ratu Manik Kembar

Made from gamping stone layers with three throne chambers. The thrones are made from stones and believed as the place for the Gods to sit and heard prayers.

Tahta Batu          

A throne with a big seat back. Was made from a single gamping stone with a very minimalist sculptures.

Sumur                  

An ancient dwell that brings water. The people used the water from this dwell only for special prayers and made a wall surround it also with gamping stones.

Menhir                 

It’s a very solid vertical stone used to be a tombstone and also  believed there are spirits inside this.

Kedok Muka        

These masks was made very simple, the simple lines made a siluet of eyes, noses, and mouths.

Baris Cina Dance at Kesumajati Temple Semawang

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Baris Cina Dance that held specially in Pura Kesumajati, Semawang, is a very sacred dance and performed only in Piodalan Ceremony of the Pura. This Dance was counted as intangible heritage in October 10th 2018. Unwritten history that told from generations mentioned that this dance was once performed by Ida Ratu Tuan who had tranced and speak with Chinese language, since then, they named this dance as Baris Cina Dance.

The move in this dance similar to Kungfu move, accompanied by Gong Bheri music, the gong is flat and similar to chinese’s musical instruments.