History of Lempuyang Temple as a sad khayangan is located at the top of Bisbis Hill, Abang District, Karangasem as a holy place to glorify and worship Ida Sanghyang Widhi Wasa in his manifestation as Icwara who is tasked with maintaining the balance of nature in East Bali.

This temple has the status of one of the “Sad Kahyangan Jagad” so it is clear that this temple is the guardian of the universe located in the east of the island of Bali. Thus, if seen from its location, it can be explained that the function of this temple is as a symbol to maintain the balance of the universe.

History of Lempuyang Temple

The establishment of Lempuyang Luhur Temple cannot be separated from the event of the descent of “Bhatara Tiga” in ancient times from Mount Semeru in Bali and the events after the event. Of the many sources, it is good to mention three of them, namely

1. Babad Pasek
2. Lontar Kutarakanda Dewapurana Bangsul
3. Prasasti Desa Sading

Lempuyang Mean?

Lempuyang Temple comes from various versions. One of them is in a book published by the Bali Cultural Service (1998) entitled “Lempuyang Luhur” which states that lempuyang comes from the word “lampu” which means light and “hyang” which means God, such as Hyang Widhi. From the word lempuyang or lampuyang means the bright holy light of God (shining/highlighting). Lempuyang Temple is the palace of Hyang Gni Jaya or Dewa Iswara.

Another version views “lempuyang” as a stand-alone word. In Java, lempuyang refers to a type of flavoring plant. It is also associated with the hamlets around Lempuyang called Bangle and Gamongan, both of which are also similar plants that can be used as medicine or flavorings. Another version also mentions the word “empu” or “emong” which means to guard.

Read laso : Lempuyang Gate of Heaven: A Sacred and Scenic Destination

Batara Hyang Pasupati sent his three sons and daughters to keep Bali stable from various natural disasters. The three sons and daughters, namely Bathara Hyang Putra Jaya resides in Tohlangkir (Mount) Agung with parahyangan in Pura Besakih, Batari Dewi Danuh resides in Pura Ulun Danu Batur and Batara Hyang Gni Jaya in Mount Lempuyang.

Lempuyang Temple as Sad Khayangan Temple

However, whatever the version of Lempuyang, Pura Lempuyang itself has a very large status, the same as Besakih. Both in the concept of padma buwana, catur loka pala and dewata nawa sanga. In various lontar sources or ancient inscriptions, there are three large temples that are often mentioned besides Besakih and Ulun Danu Batur, namely Lempuyang.

Pura Lempuyang Luhur which is located very high on the peak of Bukit Bisbis or Mount Lempuyang is estimated to be the oldest temple in Bali. In fact, it is estimated to have existed in the pre-Hindu-Buddhist era which was originally a sacred building made of stone. Around 1950, at the location that is now Pura Lempuyang Luhur, only piles of stones and a large hall made of trees remained.

To the east stood a large sidhakarya tree that is now gone, thought to have fallen or died. It was only in 1960 that two twin padmas were built, one padma bale piyasan. Now, the restoration and restoration of the temple is being carried out more intensively.

History of Lempuyang Temple in Bali from several sources

It is mentioned in the quote from Brhad Aranyaka Upanisad 1.3,28 above that with the holy light called jyotir we will release the soul from the darkness called tamasa. From the life of jyotir or the bright soul we are free from spiritual death to the true life called amrtam.

Lempuyang Luhur Temple and other Sad Kahyangan Temples were founded in the 11th century AD when Mpu Kuturan accompanied King Udayana to rule Bali with his queen. Sad Kahyangan Temple was founded to protect Bali so that its people would continue to do things that were permitted according to religious teachings.

Lontar Kutara Kanda Dewa Purana Bangsul

In the Lontar Kutara Kanda Dewa Purana Bangsul it is stated that Sang Hyang Parameswara brought the mountains in Bali from Jambhudwipa (India), from Mount Mahameru. The recording of Mount Mahameru was brought to Bali and broken into three large parts and also small parts. The middle part became Mount Batur and Mount Rinjani, while the peak became Mount Agung.

The smaller parts became a series of mountains in Bali that are connected to each other. These mountains include Mount Tapsahi, Pengelengan, Siladnyana, Beratan, Batukaru, Nagaloka, Pulaki, Puncak Sangkur, Bukit Rangda, Trate Bang, Padang Dawa, Andhakasa, Uluwatu, Sraya, and Mount Lempuhyang.

In Old Javanese, Lempuhyang means ”gamongan”. The series of mountains surrounding the island of Bali were brought by Sang Hyang Parameswara as the palace of the gods, a manifestation of God to guard Bali.

In the Lontar Kutara Kanda Dewa Purana Bangsul it is also mentioned that Sang Parameswara assigned the son of Sang Hyang Agnijayasakti to come down to Bali and guard the welfare of Bali and reside on Mount Lempuhyang or Mount Gamorangan with the other gods.

Prasasti Sading C Tahun 1072 Saka

In the Prasasti Sading C Tahun 1072 Saka, it is mentioned that Mount Lempuhyang is also called Mount Adri Karang. It was on Mount Adri Karang that King Jayasakti meditated, therefore the mountain is also called Karangsemadi.

King Jayasakti was ordered by his father Sang Hyang Guru to come down to Bali to build a temple so that Bali would become a safe and prosperous area.

King Jayasakti invited the priests and his assistants and the people to carry out Sang Hyang Guru’s orders to build Bali by starting with the construction of a temple on Mount Lempuhyang as a place to worship God as Sang Hyang Iswara. Previously, King Jayasakti meditated as an initial step to build a safe and prosperous Balinese life.

Read also : Location of Lempuyang Temple Bali

In Wrehaspati Tattwa

In Wrehaspati Tattwa, it is stated that citta or mind has four powers, namely dharma, jnyana, variragia and aiswaria. Therefore, aiswaria is one of the forces to continue to encourage the conscience of humanity to continue to increase self-enlightenment as a holy light guiding life in an increasingly holy direction to realize truth and harmony.

That is why Iswara is also often interpreted as a leader. Ideally, a bright mind is like a light that produces human life so that it can live overcoming the darkness of the heart. Therefore, in Besakih Temple there is a Dark Temple to worship Sang Hyang Iswara in the east direction of Penataran Agung Besakih Temple.

The word ”gelap” or ”kilap” in Old Javanese means bright. It does not mean dark as in Indonesian. Therefore, from Lempuyang Temple, King Jayasakti received the bright light of spirituality to lead in Bali with his servants and people with the grace of God in his manifestation as Sang Hyang Iswara, the maintainer and protector of the universe in the eastern direction.