Peeling the History of Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple: The Sacred Temple of Anglurah Sidemen’s Heritage

Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple or Bangbang Biaung Temple, is a sacred place located on Jalan Baledan, Selat Duda, Karangasem Regency, Bali. Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple has a location that is quite far from the center of Karangasem city, it takes 33 minutes of travel time with a distance of approximately 18 km if you go to Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple from Amlapura City.

There are three parts of the temple or Tri Mandala that are neatly arranged in the construction of this temple, at the front is Nista mandala as the outermost area of ​​the temple which is generally used as a parking lot for people who want to pray at the temple. Madya Mandala area as a place for residents to make lawar or play musical instruments, there are also two kulkul that are used to announce important events to residents. Utama Mandala as an area of ​​worship for local residents, kemimitan or a place where the ancestors reside, and as a place where the history of Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple or Bangbang Biaung Temple was built.

Kemimitan at Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple (Source: Editorial Collection)

The construction of Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple is estimated to have stood since Saka 1693 or in the AD calendar, namely 1771 AD. Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple has a minimalist building and interior design, simple, and easy to pass. However, behind the minimalism of Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple, there is a very interesting history related to how Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple was built.

The history of the construction of Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple began when I Gusti Ngurah Mangku as Anglurah Sidemen VII or Great King Sidemen VII, Anglurah Sidemen was a hereditary title held by The Great King of Karangasem kingdom was asked by I Gusti Sibetan to check the area that was experiencing chaos in Sibetan area. I Gusti Sibetan was the father-in-law of I Gusti Ngurah Mangku who had the intention of overthrowing I Gusti Ngurah Mangku as Anglurah Sidemen VII.

I Gusti Ngurah Mangku then agreed to the request because I Gusti Sibetan was the father-in-law of I Gusti Ngurah Mangku. I Gusti Ngurah Mangku then headed to Sibetan along with six loyal royal escorts.

When I Gusti Ngurah Mangku arrived at the location of the chaos precisely in the East of Sibetan area, I Gusti Ngurah Mangku and his six escorts were trapped in a trap prepared by I Gusti Sibetan, I Gusti Ngurah Mangku was blocked by troops that had been prepared by I Gusti Sibetan. Apparently, the area visited by I Gusti Ngurah Mangku did not experience any chaos The trap certainly made the six escorts who were with I Gusti Ngurah Mangku lose their lives leaving Anglurah Sidemen VII alone.

Anglurah Sidemen VII saw all his escorts dead, then Anglurah Sidemen VII climbed on a rock and did Yoga on the rock. Anglurah Sidemen VII was very Siddhi in doing Yoga so that he managed to achieve Moksa on the rock occupied by I Gusti Ngurah Mangku.

The bloody incident was seen by I Jambat in later days, one of Anglurah Sidemen VII’s loyal followers. I Jambat then made seven graves and buried the six corpses of the Royal Guard. However, when I Jambat was about to bury the seventh corpse, namely the corpse of Anglurah Sidemen VII, I Jambat realized that the corpse of Anglurah Sidemen VII, namely I Gusti Ngurah Mangku, was not found anywhere. This caused the seventh grave to be empty without a corpse and then buried along with the six graves containing corpses.

The empty grave if translated into Balinese means Bangbang buung. Since the incident occurred, the area was named Bangbang Buung and over time changed its name to Bangbang Biaung. Bangbang Biaung Temple was built as a reminder of the occurrence of Bangbang Biaung events.

Anglurah Sidemen is a descendant of Brahmana so he uses the title Arya Wang Bang. Therefore, Bangbang Biaung Temple is also called Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple. Anglurah Sidemen is currently also called Ida I Gusti Mur Ring Bangbang Biaung. Since the Bangbang Biaung incident occurred, the Bangbang Biaung area of ​​Sidemen which was originally owned by the Klungkung Kingdom was officially owned by the Karangasem Kingdom.

The Shrine of Anglurah Sidemen VII (Source: Editorial Collection)

You will see the shrine of Anglurah Sidemen VII shortly after you enter the temple worship area. The shrine is shaped like a person sitting with their head down while doing yoga.

Every Saturday Kliwon Wuku Krulut, a ceremony is held at Arya Wang Bang Sidemen Temple to commemorate the day of the Bangbang Biaung incident which coincided with Tumpek Krulut. Tumpek Krulut is a holy day that aims to glorify Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in manifestation as God Iswara or Kawiswara and is held every 6 months.