The Uniqueness of 5 Temples in Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village

Bali is known as an island rich in tradition and culture, one of which is reflected in the existence of temples scattered in every traditional village. A temple is a sacred place that serves as a place of worship and religious activities of the Hindu community in Bali. Usually, each traditional village has three main temples known as Kahyangan Tiga, namely Desa Temple, Dalem Temple, and Puseh Temple. These three temples symbolise spiritual balance: Desa Temple to worship Lord Brahma, Puseh Temple to worship Lord Vishnu, and Dalem Temple as the stupa of Lord Shiva, which is related to releasing and dissolving. However, Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village in Tejakula Sub-district, Buleleng Regency, has its own uniqueness, especially in terms of the existence of Dalem Temple.

If in most traditional villages in Bali, there is only one Dalem Temple, Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village has five Dalem Temples scattered in the traditional village area. The existence of five Dalem Temples is a unique phenomenon that provokes curiosity, both in terms of history, philosophy, and function. What causes a village to have five Dalem Temples? The answer is rooted in the long history of Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village.

                   Les Village Road (Source: Personal Collection)

Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village has a very interesting early history. In the past, the people in this village were known as nomadic or mobile communities. This movement was done to find a place that was considered safe, fertile, and strategic for their survival. In each place they occupy, the community will establish 1 dalem temple. This is in line with the Balinese Hindu tradition that views human relationships with nature and God as an inseparable unity. Therefore, traces of the nomadic life of the Les-Penuktukan Village community are recorded in the existence of 5 Dalem Temples which are still standing strong today.

The five Dalem Temples in Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village consist of Dalem Ganda Mayu Temple, Dalem Gremet (or Prajapati) Temple, Dalem Soan Anyar Temple, Dalem Pingit Temple, and Dalem Prabhu Temple. Of the five temples, Dalem Gandamanyu Temple is located in Dinas Penuktukan Village, while the other four are in the area of Dinas Les Village. Dalem Ganda Mayu Temple is a special sacred place for the people of Dinas Penuktukan Village, mainly because its location is also used as a burial area. Dalem Gremet Temple and Dalem Soan Anyar Temple, which adjoin the cemetery in Desa Dinas Les, are closely associated with traditional funeral processions.

              Dalem Soan Anyar Temple (Source: Personal Collection)

Dalem Soan Anyar Temple is located in the north-west corner of Dinas Les Village, close to the sea which provides a calm and sacred atmosphere. In the picture, you can see the main gate of the temple standing firmly with Balinese architecture, decorated with stone carvings full of spiritual meaning. Surrounded by green trees and overlooking the sea, the temple exudes a harmony between natural beauty and spiritual value that makes it a special shrine. As one of the five Dalem temples in Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village, Pura Dalem Soan Anyar has a long history that is closely related to the traditional processions of the community. 

Sema Pangilang-ilangan (Source: Personal Collection)

Ancient tradition even referred to Pura Dalem Soan Anyar as ‘sema pengilang-ilangan,’ a burial place for those who died without identity or from outside the village. Funerals were conducted without any special ceremony, but modern policies have changed this pattern. Unidentified bodies are usually reported to the relevant government agencies, so the use of Pura Dalem Soan Anyar for funerals has become very rare. Nonetheless, the temple is still well-maintained and regularly prayed to.

Dalem Pingit Temple (Souce: Personal Collection)

Another uniqueness is seen at Pura Dalem Pingit, which is considered the most sacred by the local community. In this temple, there are some special rules that distinguish it from other temples. For example, the ceremonial facilities in Pura Dalem Pingit cannot contain pigs, instead goats or ducks are used. In addition, devotees who will pray at this temple are prohibited from consuming beef or pork before the ceremony. If this rule is violated, they are required to undergo a purification process first. This process uses traditional ingredients such as lalang leaves, intaran leaves, and coconut, which are then processed into a purifying potion. Once purified, devotees are then allowed to enter the temple.

In the funeral tradition of Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village, these five temples play different roles. The procession of metuun (removing the body) and memarek is usually done at Dalem Gremet Temple. Meanwhile, the melukat procession for purification is carried out at Dalem Soan Anyar Temple, which happens to be located near the sea. Dalem Pingit Temple is the place for the nebas procession, which is the last ceremony before the ancestral spirits are exalted to become Dewa Hyang in the sanggah rerod. This division of functions reflects an organised and rich spiritual system.

However, the existence of these five Pura Dalem does not only speak of religious functions. These temples also bear witness to the long history of Desa Adat Les-Penuktukan as one of the Bali Mula villages, which are the original villages in Bali that maintain their ancestral traditions. Unfortunately, the preservation of these temples is not free from challenges. Modernisation and the changing mindset of the younger generation often bring threats to traditional values inherited from the past.

To ensure the preservation of the five Pura Dalem, the community of Desa Adat Les-Penuktukan continues to involve the younger generation in various traditional and religious activities. Education about the history, philosophy and meaning of the five Pura Dalem is an important part of this preservation effort. In addition, cooperation with the government and cultural institutions is also carried out to maintain this heritage so that it remains relevant in the midst of the current era.

Les-Penuktukan Traditional Village with its five Dalem Temples is a tangible symbol of Bali's unique cultural wealth. These five temples are not only a place of worship for the community, but also reflect the harmony between man, nature and God. By understanding the history and philosophy of these five Dalem Temples, we are invited to appreciate tradition as the foundation of Balinese identity. The preservation of these temples is a shared responsibility, as a form of respect for ancestral heritage that is full of values and meanings.