KINTAMANI AND PANELOKAN MOUNTAIN
Location
Kintamani and Panelokan are small towns located on the west rim of Batur crater which
length is around 3 km starting from the village of Panelokan to the border
of north Kintamani with Panulisan area. Kintamani town itself is 57 km from
Denpasar city, 65 kms from Kuta, 80 km from Nusa Dua area. So far what is
known as Kintamani is actually consist of 3 villages these are Panelokan,
Batur, and Kintmani. From Panelokan downward across lake Batur
is the old village of Trunyan which is known for it's unique burial tradition.
Kintamani and its' surrounding such as various villages both below on the
bank of the lake such as Kedisan, Trunyan, Songan, and at the Northern part
such as Bayung, Balingkang, and to the far west such as Blantih are already
exist since AD 900. Many Balinese king charters mentioned the villages and
the obligations of its' people. But Kintamani 1100 years ago was named Cintamani,
and Songan called Air Tabar.
Interest of Kintamani
As already mentioned above that the the name of Kintamani is often refer
places such as Panelokan, villages around Batur lake, and Kintamani town
itself. The crater of Batur is the central interest of the place which is
estimated to have 13 square km size.
Panelokan
Penelokan is a vantage point at the southernmost of the crater rim. There
is no traditional village on this area, but it was the people from Batur
and Kintamani started to build small restaurants and art shop during 1970s
to offer the visitors with tour break for snack or lunches. Later big restaurant
and hotels were also constructed on the area including many souvenir shops.
From Panelokan is the best view one can find over the crater and the active
mount Batur. Lake Batur which lies far below the crater looks very beautiful
with blue water color enclosed by massive wall of mountain such as mount
Abang ridge and Mount Panulisan on the north, while in the middle is active
Mount Batur.
Lake and Mount Batur
Lake Batur which is estimated 10 square km has always been attracting people
to live around its' bank. This is proved by the inscriptions mentioned above,
despite the deadly explosion of Mount Batur in 1963, the people around it
have been insisted to live there. Kedisan, Songan and Trunyan villages are
believed as the oldest residents of Bali which is the same as Toraja and
Batak people. In some aspects the have the similarity in their basic
words to mention objects close to daily life. But in term of ritual they
are closer to Batak village, while the Toraja is closer to current Balinese
on lowland which is bound to deep by rituals, people around Batur lake do
not bound by such a complicated ritual. Their daily life is much depend
on the fishing and cultivation of onion, corn, and vegetable.
Trunyan Village
Trunyan village can be reached from Kedisan or west bank of the lake only
by boat. Today there are dozens of motorized boats stand by at the pier
of Kedisan. A boat can transport 6 people crossing the lake 45 minutes from
the pier to Trunyan village. On an inscription issued by one of Balinese
king mentioned the name of Trunyan Village as Turunan meaning descendant.
As the people of Trunyan believed that they were originated from the mountain
on the back side of the ridge and Bhatara Da Tonta was the god who generated
them, so they called themselves as " descendant of Bhatara Da Tonta
" The location of the village is just on the narrow land between the
lake and steep drop of southern crater wall which elevates around 75 degrees,
even more at some places. Yet the people of Trunyan is familiar with this
steep region and laid out paths to reach their farming area on the side
of the wall. Like other Balinese at the lowland, they also have cemetery,
but not one or two, there are 3 cemeteries. One is normal cemetery for those
who died normally, due to the age, second cemetery is for those who died
abnormally such as accidents, strange disease, and others, and the 3rd cemetery
is for infants. The corp is not buried or cremated, but just laid down on
a spot of land enclosed with bamboo fence wrapped with cloth or pandanus
math.
Pucak Panulisan
Pucak Panulisan or known also as Gunung Panulisan is a temple erected on
the top of a high hill north of Kintamani town. To reach the top of the
hill from the main road it is steeping around 300 steps. The current temple
on the top of the hill is probably not soo old, but the stone sculpture
that are collected on the temple are really having great value to the history
of Bali. Some of the sculpture bearing the dates of its creation. The oldest
are a couple of spouses with the date of AD 1011 mentioned the artist named
Empu Bga. It is believed that the couple is representing the famous king
of Bali with his wife, the Majesty King Udayana with Princess Mahendra Datta.
Closet to the site of this temple is found a strange temple called the Temple of Balingkang.
This temple is assumed to have relation with the relation of Bali with Chinese
Dynasty of Chung. This vague relation is mentioned on a manuscript that
Balinese king married Chinese Princess which is now symbolized with the
dance of Barong Landung or tall Barong. The female Barong is made in black
color and the male barong is Chinese in all character.
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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. |
