Panti Timbrah Temple : Exploring the Dewa Masraman Tradition and Spiritual Blessings in Paksebali Village

Pura Panti Timbrah is a temple located in Banjar Timbrah, Paksebali Village, Dawan Subdistrict, Klungkung. Besides being a place of worship for the local community, this temple also holds a profound spiritual value. The existence of this temple has deep meaning as a sacred place revered by the people of Banjar Timbrah, believed to be the origin and heritage of their ancestors from Timbrah Village, Karangasem.

Pura Panti Timbrah plays an essential role as the center for the traditional Dewa Masraman ritual, a sacred ceremony held every Hari Raya Kuningan. Besides serving as a place of worship and spiritual resource, this temple is the main site for conducting the Dewa Masraman tradition.

Panti Timbrah Temple (Photo Source : Private Collection)

The Dewa Masraman Tradition is a unique tradition that is an integral part of the culture of the Banjar Timbrah community. Through a series of profound rituals, Dewa Masraman reflects the community's gratitude and reverence for their ancestors who have provided guidance and protection to them.

Dewa Masraman, which has been passed down from generation to generation by the people of Banjar Timbrah, Paksebali Village, Klungkung, is held every six months on Hari Raya Kuningan at Pura Panti Timbrah. This ceremony is not merely a religious ritual; it also reflects the harmonious relationship between humans, ancestors, and nature, as encapsulated in the concept of Tri Hita Karana.

The History of Dewa Masraman

The Dewa Masraman Tradition has a strong historical foundation, rooted in the migration of people from Timbrah Village, Karangasem, to the Paksebali area. This event relates to the war between the Kingdom of Karangasem and Klungkung in 1750. After their defeat, the immigrants from Timbrah, descendants of the Pasek Bugbug lineage, declared their loyalty to Ida Dewa Agung, King of Klungkung. The King of Karangasem granted them a place to settle in the Klungkung region, and to honor their origins, the place was named Banjar Timbrah.

Based on oral tradition, the Dewa Masraman Tradition originates from traditions in Panti Timbrah Village, Karangasem, and continues to be practiced by later generations in Banjar Timbrah. Although now located in Klungkung, this cultural heritage from Karangasem remains preserved and serves as a symbol of the community’s identity.

Dewa Masraman Tradition (Photo Source : Private Collection)

The Meaningful Ritual: Dewa Masraman

Etymologically, the term "Dewa Masraman" comes from the word "mesra," meaning to enjoy, joke, or be intimate. In the context of the ceremony, Dewa Masraman represents the gathering of the gods in joyous camaraderie, symbolized by dance movements performed by community members participating in the ceremony. They carry a tandu or jempana, which serves as the throne of the deities.

This tradition takes place every 210 days, specifically on Hari Raya Kuningan (Saniscara Kliwon Kuningan), centered at Pura Panti Timbrah as a form of devotion to the ancestors. The ceremony is a tribute to the revered deities, such as Ida Bhatara Hyang Ratu Gumang, Ida Bhatara Hyang at Batur, Ida Bhatara Ratu Kelod Kangin, among others. The tradition is believed to bring blessings, abundant harvests, and protection from diseases and negative forces.

Dewa Masraman Tradition (Photo Source : Private Collection)

Uniquely, this procession is often misinterpreted by the general public as "Dewa Mepalu" or "Gods Fighting" due to the visual of the deities’ thrones seemingly clashing, accompanied by distinctive shouts resembling a battlefield atmosphere. However, for the residents of Banjar Timbrah, this event is known as ngambeng, symbolizing the joyful reunion of the gods after a long separation. A hallmark of this ritual is the involvement of seven deities, represented through seven joli.

The Dewa Masraman Tradition Series

The Dewa Masraman procession takes place over two days. On the first day, the community gathers at Pura Panti Timbrah to prepare ceremonial elements like penjor. The penjor, decorated with a peacock symbol made from lontar leaves, is placed in the madya mandala as a symbol of balance between purusha and pradhana, with the peacock representing manah (mind), pure and sincere in carrying out the ceremony.

On the second day, the procession begins with atur piuning or a spiritual request in gedong, where the pratima is stored. These pratima are then placed in jempana or a decorated tandu and brought to the madya mandala of Pura Panti Timbrah. After this, the megibung tradition is held, where children eat together as a symbol of unity, with dishes such as rice, lawar, and satay.

After megibung, the mesucian process is performed, symbolizing spiritual and physical purification by bringing the jempana to Tukad Unda for purification. This process aims to cleanse the jempana before it is paraded back to the temple. Upon returning, the jempana is greeted with the rejang dewa dance and baris dance, symbolizing protection with kris.

Dewa Masraman Tradition (Photo Source : Private Collection)

The highlight of this tradition is the procession of six jempana clashing in the temple courtyard. This event is often misunderstood as a battle, but it actually symbolizes the gods’ joy. Only Ida Bhatara Ratu Lingsir, the eldest, refrains from participating, watching the procession as a symbol of higher status and wisdom. After the ceremony, the jempana are placed in the utama mandala of the temple, and the community concludes the ritual with prayers for blessings.

As the center of the Dewa Masraman tradition, Pura Panti Timbrah strengthens the spiritual identity and bond of the people with their ancestors, preserving a cultural heritage passed down since their ancestors' time in Timbrah Village, Karangasem. By upholding this tradition, the community of Banjar Timbrah not only carries out a religious ceremony but also maintains spiritual harmony in line with the principles of Tri Hita Karana, connecting humans, nature, and the Divine.