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Location
The topography of North Bali is more hilly and mountaneous
compared to south Bali, yet the development of social and
economy first was in north Bali due to the appointment of
Singaraja city as the capital of Indonesian East Federal Country
during the Dutch colonization starting 1845. Desa Banjar is
located in the administrative area of Buleleng, west to the
city of Singaraja around 20 kms. From Denpasar or Kuta or
Nusa Dua to reach this area can choose many ways. First the
shortest way is via Bedugul then above lake Bulian turn to
the left and find the road to Banjar after the village of
Tamblingan. Second way is go directly to the city of Singaraja
then find the road to Lovina beach. Third way is through idyllic
country side of Kabupaten Tabanan passing the highland of
Pupuan, continue to Tamblingan by turning to the right after
the town of Pupuan or go directly to the town of Banyuwatis
then Seririt to turn to the left.
The interest of Banjar
Beside as the first area that announce physical battle against
the Dutch North Bali also has unique places interesting to
the travelers. Desa Banjar is one of the most important for
history of North Bali from pre-history up to the era where
Indonesian struggle for Independence. This administrative
area of Kabupaten Buleleng has some places of interest that
have been well known by the visitors to Bali.
Earliers Villages : North
Bali basically perserves the oldest villages of Bali which
is in the present time still being preserved and acknowledged
as the older tradition and keep with them the history of Bali
until the new society of Bali become mixed together, especially
around Desa Banjar are many older villages of Bali, which
is believed to have been earlier to settle Bali compared to
other lowland residents. Those villages such as Sidatapa,
Tigawasa, and Pedawa village. It is not considered old is
Tamblingan village, although the fact that this village is
already recorded in a king charter dated 11th century. It
is probably the location of Tamblingan is on the trade route
between south and North Bali, so this village has been developing
faster compared to those, so their oldness is not visible,
or simply forgotten. Tigawasa village itself is a field research
for Archaeology, due to the finding of ancient remains of
human activities from stone and metal ages. Many excavations
have been organized by the department of Archaeology of Udayana
University which throw light on the distribution of people
in Bali starting metal age and continues until the arrival of Hindu tradition.
Oldest and Biggest Buddhist Monastery
The beginning of Balinese history was found that the influence
of Buddhist seems more intensive and wider compared to the
Hindu. This fact can be shown by many ancient sites such as
Gowa Gajah, Kebo Edan, and various rock cut construction along
Pakerisan and Petanu rivers in the region of Gianyar. It is
understood that why the current biggest activity of Buddhism
is in north Bali. Desa Banjar is exist the biggest and oldest
Buddhist monastery in Bali. Despite the fact that Buddhism
developed much earlier on south Bali, but it is not found
significant Buddhist organization and construction both monastery
or temple. Buddhism arrived in Bali as old as the Hindu did,
and even there is an assumption based on the finding of clay
tablet in Pejeng area that the Buddhist might arrive earlier
then the Hindu. The clay tablet stamped with the Buddhist
mantram called " yete " showing a great similarities
with those clay tablets found in the area of Prambanan temple
of 7th century. Later due to the syncretism between Buddhism
of left hand path with the Shiwaitic sectarianism of Hindu,
the Buddhism seemed to have been absorbed by the Shiwaitic
path and bearing a different practice of conducting a religious
activities. This tradition can still be seen until today that
the priest of the Hindu conducting the same ritual together
with the Buddhist priest for certain big Hindu ritual. A remnants
of what is called " Tantrayana " Buddhist and the
Shiwa Bairawa can be seen at Pejeng that is the temple of
Kebo Edan. The remains of the practices such as sculptures,
altars and others reminds of the strong practice of the left
hand path Buddhism and Shiwaism around 13th century.
Hot Water Spring; Bali
has actually many hotspring water spreaded over the island.
In the region of Tabanan for example can be found at least
4 big places, and along the river of Penatahan can be seen
the small sring along the river. North Bali also has two big
hot water spring one is in Banjar and the other is at Teluk
Terima, norh of Bali national park. continue
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The beauty of Bali
Island has long been known world wide. It is true that the
beauty appears from her various living art, yet also her natural
views such as tropical white beaches, mountains, lakes and
man made natural view such as rice terraces carved on the
sloping land for the use of rice cultivation. The combination
among various cultural aspects and natural
beauty of Bali will give a different experience for everyone visiting
the island beside the hospitability of her people. Dances,
carvings, paintings, music are on the top of Bali's interesting
aspects for people visiting the island. Visit interesing places.
Banjar hot water spring is located very close to the location
of the village and very popular among foreign visitors to
enjoy the scenery and hot water bathing. Good facilities for
traveling to the area has been constructed, and even small
accommodation is also available. Lately not only foreign tourists
that visiting the hot spring but also local people to soak
to the hot water. It is said that the water can cure skin
disease. A tour itinerary visiting North Bali will always
include the visit to hot water spring in Banjar which is one
of the highlight of natural interest of Bali. Some tourists
even organized to stay for some nights in this hot spring
area to specifically take intensive bathing in the hot water spring.
Battle Field; Desa Banjar
is one of the village in North Bali has been involved fiercely
for the battle of independence. When the main centers of North
Bali such as Singaraja and Jagaraga have been controlled by
the Dutch colonial, every villages within these areas were
forced to make donation to the Dutch for the soldiers provision
such as land products, cattles, and vegetables. Their demand
sometimes could not be fulfilled by the people since their
harvest was not good. On 20 September 1868 the head of Banjar
Ida Made Rai send an envoys to deliver the donation to the
Dutch army in Temukus village, but the envoys were caught
by the Dutch and brought to the ship. This is the trigger
of the war between the Dutch and the fleet of Banjar. The
Dutch army under the commander of Van Heemskerk attacked the
village of Banjar, and during the skirmish at Den Carik village
the Dutch lost and run to Batavia. But with the assistant
from Batavia in 25 September again the Dutch landed their
army at Temukus with much more bigger force. This new force
use the tactic of total burning swept. Everything they meet
they burn, and the whole village of Banjar changed into ash
and now captured.
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