The Specialty of Spring Water in Penestanan Traditional Village

Penestanan Village is not just an ordinary village. Behind the formation of the village there are various authentic histories. Penestanan Village has many historical relics. One of them is a spring. The spring located in Penestanan Traditional Village is the center of attention when visiting the village. Not only because of its beautiful location, this spring also has a history and meaning that is very difficult to guess by people in general.

Penestanan Traditional Village Temple (Photo Source: Editorial Collection)

Penestanan Traditional Village was once a wilderness. Which is currently a settlement for local residents. Penestanan Traditional Village is synonymous with the journey of Rsi Markandya. Rsi Markandya is a Hindu priest from Java Dwipa. Previously Rsi Markandya came from Mount Tohlangkir and then moved to a small hill which is also the meeting place of 2 river flows, namely the Oos Lanang and Oos Istri Rivers. "Oos" is taken from the word "Osadha" which means "Medicine".

Because of his power over the place, Rsi Markandya ordered all his followers to clear the forest around the hills. After the wilderness was cleared, a holy temple was built to worship Dewi Danu. The temple was named "Pura Gunung Lebah". The area around the temple became a settlement with a border or "Pacek", so the name of the area was changed to "Pacekan". Long after that, the residents of Pacekan were attacked by swarms of ants which required all residents to flee to the west through the Wangsuh River, which is currently known as "Tukad Blangsuh". With the displacement of Pacekan residents, the name of the area was changed to Penestanan. Penestanan comes from the word "Penestan" which means Wangsuh or holy water used to worship Ida Sang Hyang Widhi.