Calm During the Day, Water at the Roots of the Nyelati Tree Is Believed to Float at Night
In a sacred area of Banjar Adat Nyelati, Kuwum Village, there is a local story about water found around the roots of a tree. During the day, the place appears quiet and ordinary, much like a typical water source. However, when night falls, local people tell a story that the water can appear to float. Is this really a phenomenon that occurs, or is it part of a belief passed down from one generation to another?
Amid the peaceful surroundings of Kuwum Village, Mengwi District, Badung Regency, stands Pura Dalem Kahyangan Nyelati. The temple is not only a place where local people carry out religious activities, but also an important part of the traditional life of the Banjar Adat Nyelati community. The temple and its surrounding environment preserve various stories that continue to attract curiosity today.
Pura Dalem Kahyangan Nyelati in the Nyelati Traditional Banjar, Kuwum Village (Source: Personal Collection)
One of the stories that makes this area interesting concerns the presence of water around the roots of a particular tree, which local people believe has a unique characteristic. According to a story passed down among local residents, the water appears ordinary during the day, while at night it is believed to float or appear to be above the surface of the ground.
The tree and the part of the root where the water is located (Source: Personal Collection)
The story cannot simply be described as a scientific fact. Instead, it is more appropriate to understand it as part of an oral tradition and local belief that still needs to be explored through people who know the history of the place. For the local community, the story of the water does not stand alone. Water in Balinese society has a strong connection with everyday life as well as religious activities. Therefore, the presence of a water source in a sacred area may have a meaning that goes beyond simply being a place where water emerges. However, the specific meaning of the water at this location should be explained based on information from local priests, traditional leaders, or community members who understand its history.
The existence of Pura Dalem Kahyangan Nyelati has also been documented through various community and local government activities. In 2020, for example, the Badung Regency Government recorded activities related to the development of Pura Dalem Kahyangan in Banjar Adat Nyelati, involving members of the local community. Tree planting was also carried out in the temple environment. In 2022, Pura Dalem Kahyangan Nyelati again became the location for a series of religious ceremonies, including Karya Ngenteg Linggih and Ngusaba Dalem. These activities demonstrate the important role of the temple in the religious life of the local community.
Pancoran Alam Dedari (Source: Personal Collection)
However, the story about the water around the tree roots represents another interesting aspect that deserves further investigation. Stories like this are not always recorded in official documents. Such knowledge can survive through conversations among local residents, stories passed down from parents to children, and the memories of people who have lived near the area for many years.
Therefore, to understand the origin of the story, the most important questions are not only “Does the water really float?”, but also “Who first told this story?” and “Why do people still remember it today?” The answers to these questions can help us understand the phenomenon not merely as something mysterious, but as part of the way local people understand and give meaning to the environment surrounding their sacred place.
Pura Beji Pancoran Alam Dedari (Source: Personal Collection)
According to the stories circulating within the community, the phenomenon is related to the condition of the water around the roots of the tree. However, details about what the water actually looks like, when the phenomenon can be seen, and who has witnessed it should be obtained directly from local sources. This is important to ensure that the story does not become an unsupported claim.
This is what makes the Nyelati story interesting. A seemingly simple water source may preserve a story that makes people curious. During the day, there may be nothing unusual to see. Yet the story about what happens at night gives the place a different character in the collective memory of the local community. As times change, stories like this also face challenges. Younger generations may know the location but may not necessarily know the stories once told by previous generations. If they are not documented, oral traditions can change, develop different versions, or gradually disappear.
The Surroundings of Pura Beji Pancoran Alam Dedari (Source: Personal Collection)
For this reason, the story of the water at the roots of the Nyelati tree does not necessarily have to be answered with either belief or disbelief. More importantly, it should be understood through the perspective of the local community. For some people, the story may represent an experience or belief. For others, there may be a natural explanation that has not yet been discovered.Between these perspectives lies one common element the story has become part of the curiosity surrounding the place and environment of Nyelati.
Ultimately, the water that is said to float at night is not simply a question of whether the phenomenon actually occurs. The story provides an opportunity to explore the relationship between the community, sacred places, nature, water, and knowledge passed down through oral tradition. As long as the story continues to be remembered and told by the people of Nyelati, it remains part of an interesting cultural story one that deserves to be heard while respecting local beliefs and maintaining a clear distinction between facts, oral traditions, and beliefs.
