Getting to Know Pura Kancing Gumi, the Center for Earth’s Balance Lock

Kancing Gumi Temple, located in the Batu Lantang Traditional Village, Sulangai, Petang, Badung, has a history that is closely related to the mythology and beliefs of the local community. According to Lontar Dewa Purana Giri Wana, this temple is the stana of Hyang Gunung Alas or Lingga Pasupati, which is believed to be a manifestation of Sang Hyang Shiva.

The name "Kancing Gumi" itself means "Earth Lock". This temple is considered the defender of the universe or the guardian of world stability. People believe that with the phallus in this temple, the balance and stability of the island of Bali, and even the world, can be maintained.

Catu Meres, Catu Mujung, Meru Tumpang-2 Gedong Sari, and Padmasana from the left side (Source: Personal Collection)

Kancing Gumi Temple, located in the Batu Lantang Traditional Village, Sulangai, Petang, Badung, has several shrines with special functions and meanings in Balinese Hindu beliefs. One of the shrines is Catu Meres, which is a sacred building in this temple. In general, the linggih named "Catu" is often associated with places of worship of certain gods or symbols of natural elements. Then there is Catu Mujung which has a similar function to the Catu Meres shrine.

Meru Tumpang-2 Gedong Sari is a meru-shaped shrine with two roofs which is used as a place of worship. Meru with two roofs is usually used to worship certain gods in the Balinese Hindu belief hierarchy. Lastly, Padmasana is a shrine which symbolizes the abode of Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa or God Almighty. This pelinggih is used as the highest place of worship, where people ask for safety, prosperity and blessings from God.

The Lingga Pancer Kancing Gumi consists of Taru Mer, Taru Paci, Lempuyak, and Taru Sugih (Source: Personal Collection)

The Pasupati Lingga at Kancing Gumi Temple is a sacred symbol in Balinese Hindu belief. This phallus is considered a manifestation of Sang Hyang Shiva in the form of Pasupati, which symbolizes the power of the preserver and protector of the universe. Physically, the Pasupati Linga at Kancing Gumi Temple has a unique shape that reflects the embodiment of the Tri Murti, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This emphasizes the role of the phallus as a symbol of balance and unity of the three main aspects of Hinduism.

Kancing Gumi Temple itself is known as a spiritual center that maintains the balance of the island of Bali. The presence of Lingga Pasupati in this temple strengthens the belief that worshiping it can provide protection and stability for nature and people's lives.

In religious practice, Linga Pasupati is used as a worship medium to ask for safety, fertility and prosperity. The rituals performed around this phallus reflect deep respect for Sang Hyang Siwa Pasupati as the source of life and protector of the universe.  Thus, Lingga Pasupati at Kancing Gumi Temple not only functions as a religious symbol, but also as a spiritual center that is vital for balance and harmony on the island of Bali.

Jro Mangku Gede Penataran Baturaya Temple (left side) (Source: Private Collection)

In compiling this article, the author not only relied on information from various media, but also conducted direct interviews with Jro Mangku Gede Pura Penataran Baturaya, namely Jro Mangku Nyoman Sudana, who is an authority at  Penataran Baturaya Temple located in Tumbu Village, Karangasem. He explained that Kancing Gumi Temple and Penataran Baturaya Temple have a very close relationship.

Jro Mangku Nyoman Sudana also revealed that Penataran Baturaya Temple has a Lingga Yoni which is believed to have sacred powers. The unique phenomenon that occurs is the natural growth of rice around Lingga Yoni, which further emphasizes the sacredness of the place. He added that in 2006, Lingga Yoni was moved to Karangasem for certain reasons, including a number of mystical events that he experienced himself, especially during the melaspas ceremony at Kancing Gumi Temple.

Furthermore, Jro Mangku explained that together with the Kancing Gumi Temple cultivators, they decided and asked Sang Hyang Siwa for permission to build a pengengker wall with a height that was not too big. This was done because previously, the temple's barrier was only in the form of snacks. This decision was taken based on various spiritual considerations and local traditions. Jro Mangku's direct account provides deep insight into the spiritual relationship between these two temples and the sacred values ​​contained therein.

Peling Agung (Source: Private Collection)

Apart from shrines such as Catu Meres, Catu Mujung, Meru Tumpang-2 Gedong Sari, Padmasana, and Lingga Pasupati, at Kancing Gumi Temple there is also another important shrine, namely Pelinggih Peling Agung.

Pelinggih Peling Agung is one of the main shrines which functions as a place of worship for the highest manifestation of Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in the aspect of the ruler of the universe. This shrine is used to ask for the gift of protection and harmony for humanity and the universe. In particular, Pelinggih Peling Agung symbolizes the deep spiritual connection between humanity and God as the ruler of all aspects of life.

In the spiritual context at Kancing Gumi Temple, Pelinggih Peling Agung is a place where Hindus concentrate prayers and ceremonies to maintain balance in the world, both physically and spiritually. The existence of this shrine also emphasizes the role of Kancing Gumi Temple as the center for maintaining the balance of the earth and life, in accordance with the meaning of its name, "Kancing Gumi" which means "Earth Locker".

Pemaruman (Source: Private Collection)

To the left of Pelinggih Peling Agung at Kancing Gumi Temple, there is Pemaruman, which is one of the important elements in the structure of the temple. Pemaruman functions as a place to place sesajen and as a place for ngias which functions to purify and offer prayers to God. The mapping or preparation of offerings at this place usually also involves water or ingredients that are considered sacred.

Functionally, Kancing Gumi Temple is a place for the community to ask for safety, agricultural fertility and prosperity. Worship through the medium of the phallus is carried out in the hope that Hyang Shiva will always be protected and given prosperity.

Thus, Kancing Gumi Temple is called the "Locker of the Earth" because of its vital role in maintaining the balance and stability of nature according to Hindu beliefs in Bali.