Dalem Pengalasan Temple and Its Sacred Mystical Marriage Ritual That Endures as a Living Tradition

Pura Dalem Pengalasan in Banjar Merta Bhuana, Padangsambian, Denpasar, is believed to be the oldest temple in the area. Its existence is even thought to predate the establishment of Desa Pekraman Padangsambian. According to Jero Mangku Putu Mudra, the temple’s priest and caretaker, Padangsambian was once a dense forest (alas). During its peak, the temple was part of the Padangsambian Kingdom. However, after the kingdom’s decline, the temple’s management was handed over to the Pande clan. Today, the temple still stands strong as a witness to Balinese history, culture, and spirituality.

Pande Shrine (Source: Personal Collection)

One of the unique traditions at Pura Dalem Pengalasan is Ngambil Rabi, a mystical marriage ritual not found in other temples. This tradition originated from mystical experiences of the temple priests, who suddenly fell ill or experienced unexplained paralysis. These conditions prompted the community to perform nunas baos (spiritual request for guidance). It was then revealed that Ida Ratu Agung Dalem Pengalasan, the temple’s spiritual ruler, desired a sacred marriage ceremony. This ritual symbolizes the royal relationship in the unseen realm. In Balinese belief, the putra mahkota and banyu putra represent the family’s central figures, while the rabi (wife) is seen as a sacred offering and divine blessing bringing balance and prosperity.

The community believes that Ida Ratu Agung Dalem Pengalasan has married 18 goddesses from various temples across Bali, with the most recent from Pura Segara Rupek, Buleleng. The process begins with mapakeling (symbolic proposal) and culminates in a wedding-like ceremony. Temple representatives perform nangkil (spiritual visit) to the goddess’s temple, while the priests act as intermediaries between the sekala (seen world) and niskala (unseen world). This tradition is believed to strengthen the temple’s taksu (spiritual energy), maintain cosmic balance, and bring safety, prosperity, and healing to devotees.

Ida Ratu Agung Dalem Pengalasan (Source: Personal Collection)

Beyond Ngambil Rabi, Pura Dalem Pengalasan is known for its five sacred water sources, each with unique powers. The most famous is the fragrant well in the outer courtyard, whose water turns rice golden yellow with a distinct aroma. This water, however, can only be drawn by those who are bajang (spiritually pure) and only during pujawali (temple festivals). Another mystical sign is the appearance of red crabs in one spring, regarded as a good omen, with the water believed to hold healing powers.

Jaba Temple Well (Source: Personal Collection)

According to Jero Mangku Putu Mudra, Pura Dalem Pengalasan has a spiritual connection with Pura Petitenget, one of Bali’s most significant temples. Its status as a Sad Kahyangan Temple makes it open to all Hindus. Devotees not only from Padangsambian but also from other regions such as Ubud frequently visit to pray. This strengthens its role as a spiritual fortress that preserves balance and offers protection for the wider community.

Lingga Yoni (Source: Personal Collection)

Although times have changed, the Ngambil Rabi tradition continues to this day. For Balinese Hindus, this ritual is more than just a ceremony; it is a symbol of harmony between sekala and niskala. Pura Dalem Pengalasan stands as living proof that spiritual and cultural heritage can endure even amidst the modernity of Denpasar. It teaches that not everything can be explained by logic, but can be lived through faith, preserved with reverence, and passed down through generations. For devotees, the temple offers not only a religious experience but also a spiritual journey into Bali’s wisdom: that the human world and unseen world coexist, and their balance is the key to harmony.