Pura Trate Bang: A Temple with Holy Water that Has a Unique Taste and a Sulfurous Fragrance

This temple has a history, the name "Tratai Bang" is taken from the symbol of the red lotus, which symbolizes the God Brahma or Agni. In this temple, the use of red as a symbol of worship of the God Agni is very dominant. The presence of Pura Terate Bang cannot be separated from the important role of a holy figure named Ida Maharsi Madura. He is believed to worship the God Brahma and Goddess Saraswati in the Lake Beratan area. This temple is an important place for Hindus in Bali, especially in honoring the power of creation and knowledge symbolized by the two gods. This worship effort is part of the spiritual history of the temple which is highly respected until now. The attraction of the temple is that there are 4 main buildings consisting of Pelinggih Gedong, Bale Penegtegan, Padmasana, and Piyasan. Not only that, Pura Trate Bang has a distinctive smell, namely sulfur which comes from the sulfur rocks around the temple. Around the temple there is a dense and beautiful forest because Pura Trate Bang is located in the Eka Arya Botanical Gardens, which keeps the surrounding forest well-maintained. The animals that live in the forest around the temple are monkeys. The monkeys there are still well-maintained because their bodies are large and healthy.

One of the main attractions of Pura Trate Bang is its stunning architecture. This temple was built in a traditional Balinese style rich in ornamental details. Every element of this temple, from the gate, the candi bentar, to the meru (tiered tower) is decorated with carvings that are full of philosophical meaning. The ornaments that adorn Pura Trate Bang are usually in the form of natural motifs, mythological animals, and sacred symbols of the Hindu religion. These carvings reflect the harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and God.

Candi Bentar Pura Trate Bang (Source: Author's Collection)

This temple is often visited by local people who want to pray or perform religious ceremonies, especially on Hindu religious holidays. Although this temple is located in a tourist area, the sacredness of this place is still well maintained, where visitors are asked to maintain good manners and respect the rules that apply while in the temple area. There is no entrance fee when we only pray at Trate Bang Temple, if you want to feel the beauty of the Botanical Gardens, it will be charged 20 thousand for adults (local).

In addition to the beauty of the temple building and the nature around the temple, there are unique characteristics of the holy water that can only be found in Trate Bang Temple. The holy water in question is divided into two, namely the holy water of pengelukatan and the holy water of Maha Merta Panca Rasa. The holy water of pengelukatan is the holy water used in daily prayer activities, while the holy water of Maha Merta Panca Rasa is the holy water that has 5 flavors, namely sour, salty, sweet, bitter and savory. The holy water of Maha Merta Panca Rasa is also believed to be efficacious in curing non-medical diseases and purifying oneself.

Utama Mandala (Source: Author's Collection)

The uniqueness of this temple can be seen in the way it carries out its religious ceremonies. The use of four-legged animals for ceremonies is not permitted, which are replaced by two-legged animals such as chickens and ducks. This is different from most other temples in Bali that use animals such as cows or goats. Trate Bang Temple in Bedugul Botanical Gardens is not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of Bali's cultural and spiritual richness. With its unique architecture, beautiful location, and sacred function, Trate Bang Temple is a must-visit for anyone who wants to understand more about the cultural and spiritual richness of the Island of the Gods. The existence of this temple in the middle of a beautiful botanical garden adds to its own appeal, where visitors can feel the tranquility of nature as well as the spiritual power emanating from Trate Bang Temple.