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.

Penestanan Traditional Village Spring (photo source: Editorial Collection)

The springs in Penestanan village are different from other springs. The spring has meaning and history. Most of the penglukatans on the Island of the Gods, mainly from the north and east. However, the spring in Penestanan village emerges from the south so that the direction of the palinggih also faces north which makes the spring very special.  The water source from Tukad Blangsuh is named "Beji Sudamala" and in the water source there is a temple named Pura Ulun Danu. And at that time, the pelingsir in the area believed that this spring had the taksu as a lucky spring as well as the temple's beji. Because Beji Sudamala is the perbejian of Ulun Danu Temple's sasuhunan worshiped by the rulers of the Ubud Kingdom, there was a war between the Ubud Kingdom and the Mengwi Kingdom which resulted in Penestanan residents fleeing to the west. Including the Pretima in Pura Dalem Pacekan and Pura Puseh Penestanan were also taken to flee to the west, namely in Bongkasa.

Arriving at the new place, the residents took the initiative to establish a temple to worship Pretima which was named "Pura Dalem Pacekan Bongkasa". Because the Penestanan residents had fled, the King of Ubud was worried that they would be attacked from the west. Because at that time, Penestanan Traditional Village became very quiet. Not remaining silent, Raja Ubud asked for help to the Sanur area, namely to the ruler of the Sanur area named Dayu Dat. Raja Ubud asked Dayu Dat to teach the people living in Penestanan magic or black magic to protect the Ubud Kingdom from the west. As the ruler of the Sanur area, Dayu Dat agreed to Raja Ubud's request in exchange for Raja Ubud having to help find the lost Pusaka in Griya Sanur.

Therefore, Penestanan village which used to mean holy water village, was misinterpreted into Pengleakan Village. This makes Penestanan Village one of the haunted or mystical villages. Penestanan Traditional Village and Ubud Castle have a close relationship that can be seen in Niskala and Sekala. In Sekala, every time there is an important event in Penestanan village, Penglingsir from Ubud Castle will definitely be invited and vice versa. If there is a big activity in Ubud Castle, then Penestanan residents will be involved in the event or activity. While in Niskala, it is marked by the service of Ida Ratu Bhatara who has the title "Ida Ratu Mas Alit" who has a palace in Pura Dalem Pacekan Penestanan.

Ida Ratu Mas Alit used to be a barong used for ngelawang and even used as a toy by the King of Ubud. Ida Ratu Mas Alit used to be kept at Gunung Lebah Temple. What used to be used for ngelawang or barong ngelawang, eventually kalinggihan or entered by the spirit and then performed pawisik. After that, Ida Ratu Mas Alit wanted him to be held in Pura Dalem Pacekan Penestanan. So that Ida Ratu Mas Alit can guard the Ubud Kingdom from the west.

The spring that emerges from the south has existed and continues to emit water sources until now. And the Pemangku who lives in Penestanan village said that the blue light coming out of the spring is believed to be a form of manifestation from God for the existence of Beji Sudamala. Many people believe that Beji Sudamala can be used as a spiritual destination for those who experience psychological disorders and nightmares. Different from other bejis in general, people who visit do not need to get wet to wash away their sins, because water can be sprinkled from the Beji Sudamala spring.