The Journey of Ki Mantri Tutuan: Giving Birth to Tutuan's History and Pura Bukit Buluh

Bukit Buluh Temple is one of the temples that serves as the religious focal point for the Tutuan community in Indonesia. Located atop a hill in the eastern part of Gunaksa Village, Klungkung Regency, Bali, this temple plays a significant role in the religious life of the Tutuan people. It hosts piodalan or religious ceremonies held every Anggarkasih Prangbakat, which occurs every six months. These ceremonies are conducted with great devotion and involve worship of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa and Sang Hyang Acintya for three consecutive days. The temple attracts numerous Tutuan residents from all corners of Bali, and even beyond, who come to participate in these ceremonies, solidifying Pura Bukit Buluh's importance as a spiritual center for the Tutuan community.

The piodalan rituals at Pura Bukit Buluh are a blend of reverence for Ida Sang Hyang Widhi and Sang Hyang Acintya, marked by genuine sincerity. These ceremonies span three consecutive days and successfully draw thousands of Tutuan residents from various parts of Bali, including those from outside the island, who actively engage in worship and offer their prayers. The presence of Pura Bukit Buluh as a crucial spiritual hub for the Tutuan people becomes increasingly apparent.

The history of Tutuan, as documented in the Tutuan Inscription enshrined in Pura Bukit Buluh in Gunaksa Village, Klungkung, tells an epic tale. It narrates the life journey of a great sage known as Maha Rsi Segening, or more commonly referred to as Empu Siwa Gandhu. His spiritual quest culminated in Moksah, which took place on Mount Tohlangkir, later known as Mount Agung. Empu Siwa Gandhu was the eldest son of Empu Beradah and, in his journey, he gave birth to Dalem Mangori.

In Dalem Mangori's life journey, he assumed the role of the ruler of the Keling Region in Jawa Dwipa. In Jawa Dwipa, Dalem Mangori married Queen Kalingga, whose name was Dyah Mpu Wati. This union resulted in Queen Mangori, who later gave birth to Arya Kanuruhan, who became the secretary of the Gelgel Kingdom. Arya Kanuruhan had three sons: Pangeran Tangkas, Arya Brang Singa, and Arya Pegatepan, as mentioned in the Arya Kresna Kepakisan chronicles. Interestingly, historical records also identify Arya Kanuruhan as the son of Sira Kebo Anabrang.

Dalem Mangori was known for his love of hunting in the Keling forest. One of his hunting expeditions led him to an encounter that would change his destiny. Beneath a lush banana tree, he found a captivating young girl. He adopted her and named her Ni Brit Kuning. Later, it was revealed that Ni Brit Kuning was the daughter of King Airlangga.

As Ni Brit Kuning reached adulthood, she married Dalem Mangori, and they had a son named Mantri Anom. Strangely, as time passed, Ni Brit Kuning gave birth to another child. However, due to a tragic misunderstanding, Ni Brit Kuning fatally harmed her infant son. This act triggered deep anger in Dalem Mangori, who banished Ni Brit Kuning from the kingdom and exiled her to the depths of the Keling forest.

In moments of profound anger and sorrow, Dalem Mangori contemplated the fate of his son and spoke, "Oh, my child, may you soon attain liberation and transform into an invisible being, born as a shepherd named 'Rare Angon'. Time passed, and Satryawangsa, now an adult, began his quest to find his birth mother. Dalem Mangori could no longer conceal the truth and revealed that Satryawangsa's mother had been exiled to the Keling forest for the tragic act of killing Satryawangsa's infant sibling.

Satryawangsa felt a profound longing to reunite with his mother, and with permission from Dalem Mangori, he decided to seek out Ni Brit Kuning. However, Dalem issued a stern warning. Satryawangsa was forbidden from worshipping his mother, given her revoked status as a member of the royal family due to her horrific actions.

Meru Tumpang Solas at Pura Bukit Buluh (Photo Source : Author's Collection)

Satryawangsa confidently ventured into the Keling forest, accompanied by valiant royal guards and loyal companions. As he delved deeper into the forest and finally encountered his mother, Satryawangsa was overwhelmed by the desire to show respect to the woman who had given birth to him. Despite his father's strict warning, Satryawangsa could not contain himself. However, the woman once regarded as a queen firmly refused his worship, fully aware of her altered status and her son's revoked position as Dalem's son.

In this dire situation, Ni Brit Kuning her name at the time swiftly ran and took refuge behind the walls of her chamber. Nevertheless, Satryawangsa's determination to pay his respects to his mother remained unyielding. As a result, a remarkable miracle unfolded. The chamber split in two, giving rise to the legend of Bale Pegat, which later became famous in Bali. Despite Ni Brit Kuning's continuous efforts to evade her son's worship, she eventually tumbled into a well located behind her house, falling into it in her weakened state.

When Satryawangsa realized what had happened, he immediately rushed to the well with a sincere intention to rescue his mother. However, an unexpected miracle unfolded before him. From within the well, a mighty Timbul tree grew, and at its pinnacle, an elegant tuu-tuu bird landed. In that moment, Satryawangsa humbly vowed not to consume the fruit of the Timbul tree and not to harm the tuu-tuu bird or its descendants. He even willingly refrained from drinking water from the well. All of this reflected Satryawangsa's heartfelt sincerity in facing an extraordinary test and experiencing an unexpected miracle during his journey.

After the conclusion of these extraordinary events, Satryawangsa continued his journey towards the palace to face his father, Dalem Mangori. He honestly recounted all the incidents that had transpired in the heart of the forest to his father. However, upon hearing Satryawangsa's story, Dalem Mangori became furious and promptly expelled Satryawangsa from the Kalingga palace. Furthermore, the title he had previously held as a royal prince was revoked because Satryawangsa had violated Dalem's prohibition.

Satryawangsa then left the palace and continued his journey to the Airlangga Kingdom to meet his grandfather, Prabu Airlangga. In this kingdom, Satryawangsa shared the events he had experienced with Sang Prabu Airlangga. Eventually, Satryawangsa received advice to travel to Bali to meet Dalem Tegal Belesung. However, to facilitate this meeting, Satryawangsa had to assume a new title, that of "Mantri Tutuan."

Ki Mantri Tutuan was warmly received by Dalem Tegal Belesung when he finally arrived at Bukit Buluh in Gunaksa, Klungkung, Bali. This place later became the center of the descendants of Ki Manti Tutuan, illustrating Satryawangsa's long journey and his role in championing his lineage and the sincerity of heart that influenced the history of Tutuan.