Alas Kedaton Temple | Leko Trans
Alas Kedaton Temple is located in Kukuh countryside, Marga Sub district, Tabanan Regency . Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest’s name comes from alas, meaning ‘forest’, and kedaton, or ‘kingdom’. The area of Alas Kedaton is historically located between the Mengwi, Tabanan and Badung rajadoms. Thus theoretically, it should be considered as part of Mengwi, yet in reality the Tabanan royal family has developed most influence over this temple.
Alas Kedaton Temple will see the beautiful nature view where in front of us will meet the carpet of rice field and irrigation voice at the side of road to bear the impression/ peaceful atmosphere. Alas Kedaton Temple have three yard that are external yard, middle and center yard. In the center and middle yard are encircled by wall and the outside yard is representing a open yard. The interesting point of this temple is the inside yard representing holy yard, its situation lower than the middle yard. This thing is different compare with the general temples in Bali that are more goes to inside the temple, the more higher the place will be. Beside of that another interesting point of this temple owns four entrances.
The temple was built by the Hindu high priest, Mpu Kuturan, to unify the island’s Hindu sects, merging them into the Balinese Hinduism we know today. The high priest’s concepts allowed anyone from any caste or sect to offer their prayers at the Alas Kedaton temple.
The Balinese long-tail macaques are considered sacred. So are the hoards of flying foxes that zoom through the misty forest lofts. Thus, the village locals, shopkeepers, guides and visitors are prohibited from harming them, no matter how impish and aggressive they may be. The wide open spaces, deep forest and attractive temple make Alas Kedaton a worthwhile visit, even without taking its wildlife into view.
Ceremony at this Balinese temple is carried out to follow Balinese calendar calculation, that is Anggara (Tuesday) Kliwon Madangsia, 20 days after feast day of Galungan. In addition, in the ceremony, not allowed to use Segehan, Kwangen, Penjor and tabuh rah (cockfighting) and for the completion of the ceremony it is allowed to use Ceniga made of Mas banana leaf, while in other area in Bali, the Ceniga is made of young coconut leaf. It is also very unique that the ceremony is not led by Pedanda as commonly conducted in other temples in Bali. It is merely conducted and led by Pemangku Pura (the priest of the temple). The above unique are important and exciting properties to be watched because in the scared and holiness of the ceremony, it is also hidden background which might derive from megalithic traditions that is still well maintained by the people in Kukuh village. A very wide parking lot, with starred-hotel standard toilet facility, souvenir and snack kiosks are also available to fulfill visitors need.