Saturday, January 2, 2010

Kupu - Kupu Barong Resort & Spa


Kupu Kupu Barong is steeped in the origins of Ubud.

The resort was named Kupu Kupu Barong because of the many beautiful butterflies seen fluttering from one plan to another around the resort. Kupu Kupu means butterfly and Barong means giant.
The Kupu Kupu Barong was the first luxury hotel in Ubud, a city famed for its arts and balinese dances. For 20 years, the hotel has welcomed the famous and the discerning, those searching for the real heart of Bali. Today KKB is bound to Ubud forever.

Following its successful relaunch in 2004, Kupu Kupu Barong Villas & Tree Spa has continued to evolve to become one of the finest boutique properties in the spiritually charged destination of Ubud. The recent unveiling of six exclusive new Ayung River Pool Villas and other unique facilities marks the completion of an outstanding transformation that has taken several years to achieve.

Nyepi Day


Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that falls on Bali's Lunar New Year. It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New year Gudi Padva in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in India

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.

* First, The Melasti Ritual is performed at the 3-4 previous day. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. The ritual performed in temple near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belongs to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea.
* Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual also meant to appease Batara Kala by Pecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh.
* Third, The Nyepi Rituals is performed with the following conditions:
o Amati Geni: No fire/light
o Amati Karya: No working
o Amati Lelunganan: No traveling
o Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment
* Fourth, The Yoga/Brata Ritual starts at 6:00 AM (e.g. March 26, 2009) and continues to 6:00 AM the next day.
* Fifth, The Ngebak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual is performed for all Hindus to forgive each other and to welcome the new days to come.
* Sixth and finally, The Dharma Shanti Rituals is performed as the Nyepi Day or "Day of Silence."

Uluwatu Temple


Uluwatu Temple is a Hindu temple set on the cliff bank in south part of Bali Peninsula. It is one of Sad Kahyangan Temple in Bali (six big groups of Bali Temples), located in Pecatu Village, Sub district of South Kuta, and Badung Regency or about 25 Km southerly part of Denpasar town. It is situated on the coral reef sordid to sea about 80 meters above the sea level. It is featured by a small dry forest which is mostly called by Alas Kekeran (interdict forest) which is belong to the temple and dwelt by a lot of monkeys and other animal. Name of Uluwatu was come from the word Ulu meaning the head and Watu meaning stone. Therefore Uluwatu Temple mean the temple built in tip of coral reef.

In the right and left of temple building or Pelinggih Ida Bagus Ratu Jurit located in complex of Uluwatu Temple, there are two stone mangers that look like a boat. When both of it are united, hence it's look similar to sarcophagus, the famous stone from megalithic era culture. There is archaeology omission coming from 16 centuries in firm of arch or winged entrance gate. Winged entrance gate is one of the scarce archaeology omissions. Winged entrance gate that is existing in Uluwatu Temple (a period of its making) can be compared with the same one located in mosque complex in Sendangduwur Village, Lamongan, East Java. The period of its making is relevant with the year Candrasengkala found at this inscription. Candrasengkala founded in the mosque is written by the wording Gunaning Salira Tirta Hayu meaning year 1483 Saka or 1561 Masehi.
If the sarcophagus that existing in Dalem Jurit complex area represents the artifact, hence Uluwatu Temple represents the place sanctified since era of megalithic culture (About 500 S.M). In papyrus of Usana Bali mentioned that Mpu Kuturan (The Hindu Priest who spread out the Hinduism in Bali) had built a lot of temple in this island and one of them Uluwatu Temple. In papyrus of Dwijendra Tatwa has been elaborated that Mpu Kuturan had visited this temple twice those are:

1.The first visit when he conducts the Tirtha Yatra (the journey to visit the holy places). His heart had jolted and heard a soul whisper that place good for worshiping God when arrive in Uluwatu. On that time, he chose this place as a place for Ngeluwur (re of soul /dead leave without body to return to the origin/moksa). Pursuant to the consideration then he set mind to build the Parhayangan or extend the building of Uluwatu Temple which there have previously. When Mpu Kuturan extend the building of Uluwatu Temple, he build hostel as residence and then the ex- the hostel building is used by the local people as a shrine named the Gong Hill Temple (Pura Bukit Gong). The building of Parhyangan in Uluwatu Temple is done by Mpu Kuturan in the early 16 century after he lifted to become the Purohita (priest of king adviser) from king of Dalem Waturenggong commander in the year 1460-1552 .
2.Mpu Kuturan on his second visit has reached the nature Moksa. OnTuesday of Kliwon Medangsya (Balinese Calendar), it was witnessed by a fisherman, his name Ki Pasek Nambangan, he looked the flash with very bright light step into the space called Ngeluwur.

Implicit at papyrus Padma Bhuwana that Uluwatu Temple draw in the direction that is located in Southwest functioning to worship the Rudra God, one of the god in nine god (Dewata Nawa Sanga). Rudra God is the Deity Siwa as Pemralina or return to provenance. In this papyrus also mention that Uluwatu Temple is the Kahyangan World worshiped by entire Hindu people. Since this area is opened for public, it is visited by many people from all over the world because it has beautiful panorama with spectacular sunset and stunning view of Indian Ocean and deep the cliff bank. It is the perfect to visit in Bali.

The Mother Temple of Besakih


The Mother Temple of Besakih, or Pura Besakih, in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, is the most important temple of Agama Hindu Dharma in Bali, Indonesia and one of a series of Balinese temples.

The temple probably dates to the fourteenth century. It was built on the south slopes of Mount Agung, the principal volcano of Bali. The temple is actually a complex made up of twenty-two temples that sit on parallel ridges. It has stepped terraces and flights of stairs which ascend to a number of courtyards and brick gateways that lead up to the main spire Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred.

The symbolic center or main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura Penataran Agungand and the lotus throne or padmasana is the symbolic center of the main sanctuary and ritual focus of the entire complex. It dates to around the seventeenth century

A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Puru Besakih. The lava flows missed the temple complex by mere yards. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous, and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected.

Annually there are at least seventy festivals held at the complex each year since there is a yearly anniversary celebrating almost every shrine. This yearly cycle is based on the 210-day Balinese wuku calendar system.

It had been nominated as a World Heritage Site as early as 1995, but remains unvested.

Tanah Lot Temple



Tanah Lot, one of the most popular places of interest in Bali, is located on the coast of West Bali, at the village of Beraban in the Tabanan Regency.
It is also called Tanah Let which means ancient land and also Tanah Lod, which means the land to the south.

The temple Pura Tanah Lot, simple in its construction, is dramatic in its ocean-front location and is one of the main temples in the worship of Balinese gods.

Tanah Lot has a long history in the world of tourism.
The temple itself is built on a small promontory which is only accessible at low tide.
During high water the rock takes on the appearance of a large boat at sea, such is its shape.

Poisonous snakes live in the nearby caves to 'guard' the temple and contribute to the temple's dangerous reputation.

Sunset is the best time to visit Tanah lot, when the golden red skies frame the temple and waves crash into the rocks.
It is advisable to avoid the tourist crush here as it can be severe.

Friday, January 1, 2010

a simple wish from a modest girl named ayu'ai...




i wish to be happy both body and soul... among physic, mental, and spiritual...
I love U mom... I love U dad... I'm terribly sorry for all of the mistakes that I've done but trust me, from the bottom of my heart you are the best and i love U so much... I'll ease all the gaffes into bliss and joyfulness... I'll make U proud... I promised U... I Love U...

Ur little girl...
Ning Ai...


Pardon me for all of the bad things but I'm glad for all of the good things that I have done more,,, Thanks God...

Brighter New Year 2010...




Wish lots of lucks for all of you around this world...

Luv U...
Ai