Natural Stone Shrines and Purification Ceremony: The Sacred Heritage of Pura Luhur Pekiyisan

Located in Babahan Village, Penebel District, Tabanan Regency, Pura Luhur Pekiyisan is a unique temple that serves as a site for the purification ceremony (pemelastian) for Ida Betara of Pura Batukaru. This temple holds a special status, with the purification ritual performed every 20 years.

Inner Area of Pekiyian Temple (Source: Personal Collection)

The pemelastian procession at Pura Luhur Pekiyisan alternates with Pura Luhur Tanah Lot every two decades. Additionally, within the Beji temple area, there are other temples with distinct characteristics: Pura Ratu Malen, located on the west side of the main Beji Pekiyisan, and Pura Taksu Pecalang, located to the south of Pura Ratu Malen.

These two temples are also remarkable, primarily because their main shrines are made from large natural stone formations along the Tukad Yeh Ho river. According to history, these stones have been there since the megalithic era, indicating that the temple’s existence likely dates back to the 4th century.

Pura Luhur Pekiyisan’s role as a purification site for Ida Betara at Batukaru is its main attraction. Meanwhile, the other two temples, Pura Ratu Malen and Pura Taksu Pecalang, are frequently visited by worshippers (pemedek) for specific purposes.

Holy Water at Pekiyisan Temple (Source: Personal Collection)

Pura Ratu Malen is one of the temples in Bali with a strong spiritual presence. This temple is renowned as a place to seek wisdom, especially for those who bear significant responsibilities within the community. Not only do ordinary people come to pray here, but officials from various levels of government, from regional and provincial authorities to senior officials working in Jakarta, also frequently visit. These officials come seeking enlightenment and guidance for their responsibilities and policies. The revered figure of Malen, worshipped at this temple, is believed to possess profound wisdom, providing a source of inspiration for devotees seeking inner peace and spiritual insight.

On special days such as Purnama (full moon), Tilem (new moon), and Kajeng Kliwon, Pura Ratu Malen becomes even more lively. Hindu devotees from various regions gather, dressed in traditional attire, bringing offerings and tributes as a sign of respect. They pray with deep devotion, asking for wisdom, especially to face increasingly complex life challenges. The large number of visitors on these particular days creates a magical, sacred atmosphere, enhancing the spiritual connection between devotees and the deities they worship.

On the other hand, Pura Taksu Pecalang is a place where taksu, or charisma, the source of spiritual authority, is often sought by those with important roles in society. This temple is known as a spiritual center for traditional performance groups in Bali, such as arja and drama troupes, as well as the pecalang, who serve as traditional security officers in Bali. Taksu is believed to be a special energy that grants authority and appeal, essential for performers to exude full strength on stage and for pecalang to carry out their duties confidently.

At Pura Taksu Pecalang, traditional artists and pecalang perform special ceremonies to request taksu. They present banten, or offerings, and pray earnestly to be blessed with invaluable charisma. This practice illustrates the strong belief within Balinese society in the importance of spiritual balance in every aspect of life, including in the arts and traditional security.

Pura Luhur Pekiyisan, located near these two temples, serves as a spiritual complement to Pura Ratu Malen and Pura Taksu Pecalang. These three temples together form a holy worship center not only dedicated to ancestors, deities, and spiritual figures but also a center of spirituality that strengthens values of wisdom, authority, and sanctity. Pura Luhur Pekiyisan functions as a place of reflection, where Hindu devotees can strengthen their faith and seek protection and prosperity for their families and communities.

For the Balinese people, the existence of these three temples is an important symbol reflecting the harmony between humans, nature, and spirituality. These temples stand not only as sacred buildings but also as cultural centers and sources of inspiration for the younger generation to understand and appreciate the noble values passed down by their ancestors. By maintaining tradition and nurturing spirituality, these three temples remain an integral part of Balinese life, bridging the past, present, and future in harmonious unity.