Administratively, Pura Rambut Siwi Tonja is located on Jl. Ratna, Gang Seruni, Tonja Village, North Denpasar Sub-District, Denpasar City. Geographically, this temple is situated at coordinates 50 L 0305046, 9044164 UTM. The ownership status of Pura Rambut Siwi Tonja is still unknown, as well as the status of the temple itself. Currently, Pura Rambut Siwi Tonja is managed by the Ketut Kani family, who reside to the west of the temple. Within the temple area, there is one Prasada building made of red bricks located on the eastern side of the courtyard facing west, and one remaining structure to the north of the Prasada building.
1. Candi Prasada
Candi Prasada is a sacred building where the gods or deceased kings who have returned to Brahmaloka reside. Prasada is a holy structure in Bali that closely resembles the typical temples found in East Java. The Prasada is primarily made of red bricks, although some are constructed from coral, like the Prasada located on Serangan Island. Additionally, within the structure, there is a chamber or room to house a pratima (image or idol), further confirming its similarity to temples. The term Prasada means a high seat or elevated terrace at the top of a building above a tall foundation, which can refer to a palace, temple, shrine, or worship place. In Bali, Prasada represents a blend of traditional temples with terraced structures from prehistoric times (Kempers, 1979: 13).
This Prasada has a similar type to the two Prasada found in Pura Maospahit Tonja. Its design is slender, made of red bricks, and consists of a base, feet, body, and roof arranged in five tiers, each tier becoming progressively smaller towards the top, with a roof cap called Murda, resembling a gem. There is a space designated for placing a statue or pratima (currently, this space is empty). On the feet and body of the Prasada, there are triangular tumpal decorations with vine motifs, and at the corners, there are coral decorations resembling bird heads. The roof features coral eye designs and bird head decorations at each corner, along with simple hanging decorations. Above the door, there is a relief panel depicting the sun and clouds. Additionally, on the feet and body of the Prasada, there are indentations that once held plates and ceramic bowls as decorations for the Prasada. This Prasada has five steps that provide access to the chamber.
The Prasada faces west with an orientation towards the east (sunrise), and in front of it, there is an altar used to place offerings to God Almighty. Furthermore, fragments of terracotta statues, which are loose finds from the area of Pura Rambut Siwi Tonja, are placed on the altar. Based on its style and architectural features, it can be said that this Prasada shares a similar age with the Prasada found in Pura Maospahit Tonja. The architectural characteristics of this Prasada are influenced by the temples in East Java, and it is likely that this Prasada style developed in Bali after the Majapahit influence entered Bali around the 14th to 16th centuries CE. Fragments of statues made from...
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