Batu Meringgit Temple: Symbolizing Hindu-Buddhist Harmony in Bali

Bali, nicknamed the "Island of a Thousand Temples," holds invaluable cultural and spiritual wealth. Amidst the cool atmosphere of the Eka Karya Bali Botanical Garden, in Candikuning Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan Regency, stands a unique and meaningful temple: Pura Batu Meringgit. This temple is not only a place of worship for Hindus but also a symbol of tolerance and harmony between religious communities, especially Hindu and Buddhist, reflected in the presence of a Chinese temple (klenteng) within the same complex.

This temple is located in the Bedugul Botanical Garden area in Tabanan Regency. It usually celebrates its major religious days (rahinan) on Buda Manis Medangsia, or more precisely on Wednesday of the Medangsia week. Many people pray at this temple, asking for safety and other requests.

Pura Batu Meringgit also attracts tourists, but visitors who do not intend to pray are only allowed to stay outside the temple area's gate. Only those who wish to pray or perform other religious rituals are permitted to enter.

A Monument for Visitors to the Pura Batu Meringgit Area (Source: Private Collection)

Before visiting Pura Batu Meringgit, tourists are asked to park their vehicles in the parking lot near the botanical garden's information office. After that, you must buy a ticket to enter the Bedugul Botanical Garden area. The entrance fee to the Bedugul Botanical Garden is around fifteen thousand rupiah per person, and if you bring a motorbike, there is an additional charge of around ten thousand rupiah. This price is for weekdays, while the weekend price is slightly different, only ten thousand rupiah more.

After paying for the ticket, you are instructed to attach the ticket containing a QR code to the QR code scanner. After that, you are allowed to enter the Bedugul Botanical Garden area. While walking and enjoying the scenery of the Bedugul Botanical Garden, the atmosphere is so cool, coupled with rainy or foggy conditions that make this area look more like the open outdoors.

Reaching Pura Batu Meringgit by walking from the Bedugul Botanical Garden parking lot only takes about ten minutes. Although it's just walking, it can be healthy for visitors who haven't left their homes or boarding houses for a walk for a long time. But don't worry, there are always directional signs placed throughout the Bedugul Botanical Garden so that visitors don't get lost if they want to return.

Directions to Pura Batu Meringgit (Source: Private Collection)

Once you arrive at the Pura Batu Meringgit area, you will see a monument with the inscription "Pura Batu Meringgit," and you can also see the temple itself. This temple is a symbol of harmony between Hindus and Buddhists in ancient times. It is said that in the 11th or 12th century AD, this temple was built during the journey of Ida Rsi Madura. The uniqueness of this temple lies in the presence of a Chinese temple or konco within its complex. This reflects the tolerance and cultural acculturation that has been going on for a long time in Bali.

In addition, Pura Batu Meringgit is also known as Pura Luhur Pucak Batu Meringgit. This name refers to its location on high ground. This temple is also believed to have been the hermitage of King Shri Jayasunu in the past.

Pura Batu Meringgit is often visited by local and international tourists because it is located among the dense forests of the Bedugul Botanical Garden area, so visitors who come to this place can experience the natural beauty along with the religious value of this temple.

Pura Batu Meringgit on a Cloudy Day (Source: Private Collection)

Near this temple, there is also a beji, or what is called a sacred spring, which is believed to have the power to cure various diseases, both physical and spiritual (sekala and niskala). Many Hindus come to perform melukat or purification rituals at this place.

Besides melukat, this place is also usually used as a place of prayer with the aim of asking for safety and well-being so that the life that is lived can go well. And for visitors who want to see the temple area, they are only allowed to see it from outside the temple area's gate.

However, be careful when visiting this temple area, because when it rains with lightning, sometimes tree branches fall. And considering this temple is located among dense forests, it is not recommended to take shelter under trees during thunderstorms, because lightning likes to strike high places, especially trees.

The Extensive Forests of Bedugul Botanical Garden (Source: Private Collection)

Things that are not allowed to do when in the temple area are not allowed to speak rudely or use foul language, not allowed to scribble on walls and damage property in the temple area, and of course not allowed to enter the temple except for praying or holding religious ceremonies.

If you want to go home after visiting this temple, just return to the initial road when you first visited this temple, and there are no branching roads, they are all just straight roads that will take you to the security post guarding the Bedugul Botanical Garden area.

Pura Batu Meringgit can be a very interesting tourist destination, besides its natural beauty, visitors can get religious meaning when visiting this temple, and how Hindus and Buddhists can be harmonious in worshiping. And before visiting the Bedugul Botanical Garden area, prepare an umbrella or raincoat, take anti-wind medicine, and don't forget to pray before leaving.