Kahyangan Jagat Luhur Mekori Temple in the Belimbing village: A Place to Beg for Safety and Welfare

Kahyangan Jagat Luhur Mekori Temple is one of the holy places for Hindus in Bali located in Banjar Pemudungan, Belimbing Village, Pupuan District, Tabanan Regency. It’s strategic location on the main Pupuan-Tabanan route makes this temple easy to reach by anyone. Surrounded by beautiful tropical forests, the natural beauty around the temple is endless It is well maintained by the local community, making it not only a place of worship but also as an area that captivates visually and spiritually.

Kahyangan Jagat Luhur Mekori Temple was discovered around 1700 BC and The formation of this temple holds a unique history. According to local beliefs, the name "Mekori" originally came from "Mas Kori", where several people with supernatural abilities saw The gate of Pura Luhur Mekori looks like it is made of gold. In a small village called Kentel Gumi, There lived a simple husband and wife with their two children. Their lives changed when the mother lost her ax in the forest and met a big snake holding the axe. Bound by a promise to nature that if it is a woman who takes the ax, then she will will be his sister but if it is a man she will be his wife. Then she became the wife of the snake because it was under the influence of the snake's magic. His children felt something was strange with his mother, until the boy found five snake eggs in the rice barn. Because I'm hungry, he fried one of the eggs which then brought about a strange thing, the skin turned into scales snake. Then the boy turned into the now familiar half-snake creature as the Rarik Dragon.

The father, angry and disappointed, threw his wife out of the house. Through penance, he received instructions that his children will become protectors of the people if they find Puser Jagat, the center of the universe. The Rarik Dragon then defeated his enemy, The Gombang Dragon, and together with his sister, Ayu Mas Sari, begins a journey to find Puser Jagat. On the way, they arrived at a market. The Rarik Dragon felt he had reached Puser Jagat, decided to moksa and leave hole marks as a sign. His younger brother, who was returning from buying food, heard the word to meditate there too. Ayu Mas Sari is now reaching Moksa, one with the universe. In In the location where they Moksa, the famous orange Soka Flower Tree grows as Soka Bang and now this tree is considered sacred by the community. This tree is a symbol sacrifice, loyalty and spirituality, and is used in traditional ceremonies at Pura Luhur Mekori as part of the legacy of the story of The Rarik Dragon and Ayu Mas Sari.

The uniqueness and sacredness of Pura Luhur Mekori makes it highly respected and believed to have it strong magical aura. In this area there is also a protected group of monkeys, with The population is quite large and is often seen wandering around the temple. The presence of these animals further strengthens the harmony between nature and spirituality, adding attraction to anyone who visited this place.

Prayer Shrine for Passing Motorist (Photo Source: Private Collection)

Before entering the temple, there is a “Pelinggih” which is the worship of Ida Bhatara and become a place to ask for safety and welfare, especially for motorists cross that route. Hindu motorists are obliged to stop and pay their respects with only “Canang” or just cover your hands, praying for safety so that on the journey you will be kept away from disturbances and obstacles. For visitors who want to come and do it prayer, it is mandatory to pray at this place first before entering the First Temple and Luhur Temple.

The entrance of the First Temple (Photo Source: Private Collection)

After passing the Pelinggih which is Ida Bhatara's maid to beg safety for motorists, there is a main temple which at the entrance has two statues The Tiger is believed to be the bodyguard of Ida Bhatara who resides in the First temple shrine. This tiger often symbolizes strength, courage and authority. As bodyguard, this tiger is considered able to ward off negative energy and protect the sanctity of the temple from disturbances both physical and spiritual and with this statue, the people who come are reminded to maintain attitudes, thoughts and actions so that they remain in a pure state when entering the area temple.

Pelinggih at the First Temple (Photo Source: Private Collection)

After passing through the entrance where there are two tiger statues, before heading to the main temple namely the Luhur temple, the visitors are required to first pray at the First temple which is the residence of Ida Bhatara Ratu Nyoman Wayah. According to explanation of the guiding authority, Ida Bhatara Ratu Nyoman Wayah is respected as the patih or guardian of Pura Luhur Mekori. Therefore, everyone who wants to do it Praying at Pura Luhur Mekori requires permission to pray at this first temple so that the journey to the main temple runs calmly and safely.

Road to the Main Temple (Photo Source: Private Collection)

Then after passing the First temple, there is a road to get to the main temple which is the center of the Kahyangan Jagat Luhur Mekori Temple. This temple is located in a tropical forest area whose beauty remains sustainable thanks to the awareness of local communities in maintaining and preserving the environment. The forest surrounding this temple provides a natural protection for the place sacred, as well as adding to the mystical and sacred aura felt by everyone who visit. The biodiversity that exists in this forest, starts from the large trees that already exist hundreds of years old to the lush green bushes that grow, giving the impression that the nature around Kahyangan Jagat Luhur Mekori Temple is a gift that needs to be protected full of gratitude.

Kahyangan Jagat Luhur Mekori Temple (Photo Source: Private Collection)

After traveling through a journey filled with the beauty of a tropical forest area, here we arrive at Kahyangan Jagat Luhur Mekori Temple. In the story of the journey of the Dragon Rarik and his younger brother namely Ayu Mas Sari, which is an important part of the history of the formation of this temple, is there special shrine to honor the Dragon Rarik. The pelinggih is known by the title Ida Ratu Bagus Made Mentang Yuda which is believed by local people to be a manifestation of Ida Bhatara who brings prosperity, prosperity and protection to his worshipers. Apart from that, pelinggih for Ayu Mas Sari was also erected next to the pelinggih respecting his loyalty to his older brother.