Pengelukatan Siwa Melahangge: The Place of Worship with the Largest Statue of Lord Shiva.
The Siwa Melahangge Blessing, located in the village of Suwat, Gianyar District/Regency, is increasingly becoming a bustling destination, not only for Balinese Hindus but also for foreign tourists. This place is believed to possess healing powers, both medically and non-medically, and serves as a place of worship for couples hoping to receive the blessing of offspring. The blessing site consists of seven fountains originating from the Klebutan spring, with Ken Sulasih Fountain being one of the southernmost. Legend has it that Ken Sulasih was a celestial nymph who once married a human, making her a symbol of hope for fertility. The blessing ritual involves drinking water from the seven fountains seven times, accompanied by the presentation of offerings as an expression of gratitude.
The Siwa Melahangge Blessing is a sacred water site located in the village of Suwat, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia. This place is known as a blessing site believed to have spiritual powers, especially in both medical and non-medical healing, and serves as a place to seek the blessing of offspring. The blessing site consists of seven fountains originating from the Klebutan spring. The blessing ritual involves drinking water from the seven fountains seven times. According to the evolving legend, one of the fountains, Ken Sulasih Fountain, has its own story. Ken Sulasih, a celestial nymph, was said to have married a human, becoming a symbol of fertility. Ken Sulasih Fountain, located at the southern end of the blessing site, is particularly loved by children and is considered a special place for seeking the blessing of offspring.
Lingga Yoni (Source: Private Collection)
The establishment of the Siwa Melahangge Blessing did not happen overnight; it has a long history that has turned it into the well-known Siwa Melahangge blessing site we see today. In ancient times, this blessing site was initially just a river used by the villagers of Suwat for their daily needs. However, the water in this river was believed to possess the energy of Lord Shiva, making it more efficacious than ordinary river water. It is said that the exceptional quality of the water led many kings to request water from there, as it was believed to be beneficial for health and capable of eliminating all misfortune. The culmination of the creation of the Siwa Melahangge blessing site occurred when a spiritual practitioner came in search of sacred weapons believed to be around the Siwa Melahangge Blessing. In short, the spiritual practitioner succeeded in finding the trident, a weapon associated with Lord Shiva. However, the journey of this trident did not end at Siwa Melahangge. When taken to Pecatu, Nusa Dua, the weapon caused unrest, almost as if it refused to leave its place of origin, and eventually was returned to its original location. This news spread quickly, attracting many spiritual practitioners to experience the energy emitted by this river. Eventually, due to this incident, the people of Suwat agreed to transform the river into the Siwa Melahangge blessing site.
Statue of Lord Shiva (Photo Source: Author's Collection)
Not forgetting that the blessing site has a significant energy of Lord Shiva, the people of Suwat also agreed to build a statue of Lord Shiva on the premises of the blessing site. The process of creating this statue involved a series of spiritual ceremonies that included local and international spiritual figures. The location for the statue was not chosen arbitrarily; there were many spiritual considerations in selecting the site for the statue's construction. Eventually, the statue was completed, and to this day, it stands majestic at the Siwa Melahangge blessing site. Ngakan Putu Sudibya, the Head of the Suwat Customary Village, explained that the statue of Lord Shiva is the largest seated statue of Lord Shiva in Indonesia.
Directional Signboard to Siwa Melahangge Blessing (Photo Source: Author's Collection)
Since the establishment of the Siwa Melahangge Blessing, many visitors, both domestic and international, have come to this place. According to Jro Mangku Gede, the Custodian of Pura Dalem Suwat, the Siwa Melahangge Blessing is not limited to the Hindu religion alone; it is made for the general public and is intended for anyone who wants to try the blessing at this location. The Siwa Melahangge Blessing in the Suwat Customary Village is not just a sacred blessing site but a meeting point between spirituality and the beauty of nature, continually radiating its charm to anyone who visits.
