Revealing Traces of Ancient History: Pura Luhur Srijong

The word Srijong comes from the Old Javanese language which is divided into two syllables, namely "Sri" which means King or noble while Jong which means "Jukung" boat, so it can be concluded that Srijong means King's Boat. According to several records, the Luhur Srijong Temple was built almost at the same time as the Rambut Siwi Temple in Jembrana and the Tanah Lot Temple, namely in the 16th century AD, which is still related to the journey of Dang Hyang Dwijendra, who had the title Ida Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh.

The establishment of Luhur Srijong Tample has a unique history. Where in the past, the local people, who at that time mostly lived on the coast as fishermen and farmers, saw a light located on the rocky shore of the coast. And around the light, it is surrounded by coconut trees and bushes. In that place, which is a rock, a temple was built by the local community and it was named Luhur Srijong Tample. Luhur Srijong Tample is closely related to the spiritual journey of Dang Hyang Dwijendra who has the title Ida Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh and is also a legendary figure from the Island of the Gods as a light and giver of knowledge to mankind.

Apart from that, during his trip, Dang Hyang Dwijendra, while traveling around Bali, spreading Dharma teachings to organize religious communities in Bali, stopped and worshiped at this place. The local community was very impressed with his pandit aura, so they decided to build a shrine as a means of worshiping him as a teacher for mankind.

Luhur Srijong Tample  (Source: Private Collection)

Luhur Srijong Tample is a Dang Kahyangan temple, where this place is used to worship the God Vishnu who is believed to be a manifestation of Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa as the ruler of the seas. This temple has a Tri Mandala concept, in the outer part of the temple "Nista Mandala" there are several buildings such as Bale Gong, Bali Pogo, Bale Pegat and Pwargan. In the middle “Madya Mandala” there are the sacred shrines of Ratu Nyoman, Piasan Ratu Nyoman, Bale Panjang and Lumbung.

Meanwhile, in the main courtyard “Utama Mandala” there are the Padmasana buildings, Pelinggih Betara Segara, Bale Agung, Meru Tumpang Tiga, Pelinggih Taksu Agung, Bale Agung, Bale Penyimpenan and also Piasan. Piodalan at this temple every 6 months falls on Wednesday "Buda Umanis Parangbakat", usually many people come to pray at Luhur Srijong Tample.

Utama Mandala Luhur Srijong Tample (Source: Private Collection)

Apart from Tri Madala, there is also Beji Pingit with its unique Bat Cave, as well as Ratu Gede Kebo Iwa Temple, and Melanting Temple. An interesting thing that we can see at Luhur Srijong Tample, when we go down to the Beji Pingit area, there is a rock there between the sand and sea air, measuring approximately 3 meters, which is called "Payuk Kebo Iwa" Payuk means a pot which is believed to belong to Kebo Iwa. In an inscription it is written that because Ida Kebo Iwa did not have a place to live, Kebo Iwa built a Long Bale called Bale Agung which is at Puseh Beda Temple in Beda Village and Kebo Iwa also built a 'pewaregan' kitchen building at Luhur Srijong Temple.

Under the temple there is a large and deep cave. The tip is right under Meru Tumpang Telu. At the end of the cave, there is a stone that resembles Padmasana, a place for Hindus to pray. Quoted from 'babadbali.com' This cave is about 40 meters long, extends 17 meters wide and is about 10 meters high at the lip of the cave. This cave is also home to thousands of bats whose existence is never disturbed by humans. If we visit on the right day and are lucky, we can see thousands of bats coming out of the cave and flying in a very long line.

The Pura Luhur Srijong Temple area is an area whose purity and preservation are strictly maintained, therefore no tourism facilities have been built adjacent to this area. Access to this place is very easy because it is on the Denpasar – Gilimanuk highway, then turn towards the beach for about 170 meters, then we will arrive at the location. It is located on a cliff by the coast, next to Soka beach. The natural atmosphere is beautiful and charming, very ideal as a spiritual tourism destination and to fill holiday activities on the Island of the Gods, Bali.