Bali Photo of the Day ~ Bali Royal Cremation

The Bali photograph for today comes from an auspicious outing for our Yoga and Wellness Retreat participants. After a powerful morning of yoga at the villa we headed into Ubud for a cultural excursion. We had been seeing the daily construction of the Bade (cremation tower) and Bull and we knew the royal cremation ceremony or Ngaben would soon be taking place. However, we did not know it would be this day.

Our Bali Yoga and Wellness Retreat was able to witness this rare Royal Cremation Ceremony in Ubud, BaliOur Yoga Retreat guests were overjoyed to be able to witness this rare rite. More images from this ceremony are soon to come and if you would like to read more about Ngaben Cremation Ceremonies and see some compelling photos, please click here and here and here.

For more on our Yoga and Wellness Retreats just click here.

Bali Photo of the Day ~ Tanah Lot Sunburst

Today's Bali photo comes from a recent yoga retreat's pilgramage to one of Bali's most famous and picturesque sea temples. Pura Tanah Lot is on Bali's west coast and for more on its signifigance and history, please click here.

Surfing Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot is also a great surf spot. For more on surfing Tanah Lot and some tips, please click here.

This shot is on the way down to the ocean as you approach the temple itself.

Yoga retreat to Tanah Lot. One of Bali's most beautiful and dramatic templesFor much more information on Tanah Lot temple, surfing and the religious signifigance, just enter a search term in the search box to the right.

Bali yoga retreats

Click here for more information on yoga retreats in Bali.

Bali Surf Guide ~ Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a sacred and beautiful spot to visit for both the devout Balinese Hindu as well as travelers. But what some don't realize is that it is a good surf spot as well.

Surf Guide to Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Surfing at Bali's Stunning Tanah Lot Temple~ Notice the surfers on the left

You can approach the temple in many ways (car, motor bike, taxi, etc.). Simply ask the driver to take you to Pura Tanah Lot. Pay your entry fee at the gate. Note that indonesians go through one gate and pay a greatly reduced fee and Bule (white folk/foreigners) pay a completely different amount. Lets save that debate for another time but Indonesians and especially Balinese deserve to be able to visit their sacred places at a reasonable cost. You will then make your way through a small village that is actually just souvenir stalls. It is seemingly endless but follow the flow of people to the shore.

A lone surfer enjoys the uncrowded sets of Sea Arch at Tanah Lot in Bali

You will see the main temple ahead of you but follow the path along to the right (North) about 250 meters. You will see a natural jetty shaped like an arch (pictured above and below), pointing out to the ocean with another temple at the end of it. Some refer to this as The Bali Sea Arch. Few people know that the Tanah Lot temple was originally connected to the island of Bali with an arch very similar to this but it has been eroded away.

This surfer can't ask for a more beautiful setting for this epic solo session at Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Just South of the jetty is the surf break. Please remember, this is a holy temple so be respectful as you change your clothes. 

While it is not Uluwatu or perhaps even in the top five surf breaks of Bali, it is still a great fun wave and is usually uncrowded. I have rarely seen more than two surfers out at any one time. Its a great left and you can score solid waves here year round and at all tides but it works best with a south-southwest swell and the wind east-northeast. The most consistent surf is in the dry season from May to September and offers nice warm offshore breezes. Low and mid-tides are best and it starts working at less than 1 meter.  Mind the rocks and the reef but there is some sand as well.

Bali's Sea temple Tanah Lot

Most all surf abilities can catch good waves here and the average ride lenght is 40-100 meters.

Other notable surf breaks in the area include Kedungu Beach, Medewi Front Hotel beach and Nyani beach which is also known as Muara beach.

For more information on the breaks and our surf tours of Bali please contact us directly and for more insider information on surf in Bali, Bali culture and travel tips, be sure to sign up for our award winning newsletter.

See ya in the lineup! 

For the best Bali surf retreats check out Bali Floating Leaf. They know all the best spots, great food, luxurious villas and the price can't be beat.

Related Bali Surf Blog Posts 

Another amazing day of Bali surf at Uluwatu.

Surfing in Bali; Everything you need to know (except a few secrets)

Bali Photo of the Day ~ Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Today's Bali Photo of the Day takes us to Bali's Tabanan Regency on the West Coast to one of the big three sacred temples of Bali. Pura Tanah Lot is actually an island onto itself. This important pilgramage site is built upon a rock and reef outcropping in the ocean. It is possible to walk or wade to the temple at low tide.

Tanah Lot is one of the important seven sea temples of Bali and certainly one of the most picturesque. These seven temples were built around the island to protect it, and to be used as a signaling device as each temple is built within eyeshot from the last forming a visual chain around the South Western coast of Bali.

Bali's Sacred Tanah Lot Temple

Bali's Tanah Lot History

A revered 15th century Hindu priest named Nirartha is said to have built the sacred temple. He stopped to sleep on the rock and found it to be not only majestic in its beauty, but a sacred and powerful spot. The locals saw him there and began to bring him gifts. He told them to construct a temple there as it was a fitting place to worship the Balinese Sea Gods.

It is claimed that when Niratha moved on from the rock island, he left his scarf behind. The scarf turned into a giant sea snake and has protected the location ever since. To this day, holy men guard the entrances to the many caves that surround the temple and some can even show you the magical snakes inside the caves. Many will ask for a donation to enter the caves, but the payoff is usually not all that exciting.

From the main tourist areas of South Bali such as Kuta, Seminyak and Legian, its about a 40 minute car ride and from Bali's cultural center of Ubud, its perhaps a 40 minute ride depending of course on the traffic.

Tanah Lot is a must do on any traveler's itinerary. Try to go at low tide so a local Hindu Priest can bless you with the springs of holy water that emminate from beneath the temple itself. It's spectacular at sunset and it is also a fairly consistent surf break. More on surfing Tanah Lot to come. Be sure to sign up for our free award winning newsletter to get the inside tips on where and when to go to beat the crowds and to see some of the hidden aspects  of Bali.

Our Family and Bali’s Royal Family of Karangasem

This is a companion blog post to Bali’s Royal Water Palace~ Taman Ujung Soekasada and focuses more on The Royal Family of Karangasem. To learn more about one of the most beautiful Royal Palaces in Bali and see photos of Maryam returning to her family's Kingly compound, just click here.

Bali’s Royal Family of Karangasem

The Raja of Karangasem and his 12 children and three nannies in front of The Balai Gili, Maskerdam in 1922

My wife Maryam, or Putu as we call her, is from the lineage and we are endeavoring to learn more about her family. I have heard many stories; some good, some not so good, and some downright otherworldly. I will try not to speculate and simply discuss some of what we have learned. The photographs below feature Maryam's relatives and I point them out where possible.

I Gusti Bagus Djilantik, the ruler of Karangasem. Lux Fotostudio (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

This is by no means a comprehensive scope of the family’s history and is likely incorrect at times. We are still sifting through piles of documents, photographs, historical records and such and have found and heard many conflicting accounts.

We are asked all the time about Maryam’s Royal connections and we want to be able to tell a more thorough and historically accurate version.

The Kingdom of Karangasem started as a feudal subordinate of the Supreme King of Bali and went on to reign over the largest Kingdom in all of Bali and rule the neighboring island of Lombok as well.

The family’s reign dates back to the 1890’s. I Gusti Gedé Putu served as the Regent of Karangasem from 1849-1890. His third son, I Gusti Gedé Bagus Jelantik, was born in 1887 and became the Raja of the State of Karangasem. With the death of his father and uncle he was installed as The Regent of Karangasem. A position of this magnitude constitutes a royal name. Thus he was crowned with the reign name of Anak Agung Bagus Jelantik I, in December of 1908. This could be loosely translated into Young Great Good Jelantik. Seemingly dozens of Jelantiks would follow.

Royal lineages such as this become quite convoluted as polygamy was the norm and the bloodlines are crossed at times. Kings of the time would have many wives to provide a viable male heir to ensure the continuation of the dynasty. Reportedly, some Kings had as many as 800 wives. Having just one has kept me quite busy. I am not sure how they did it as they also had dozens, if not hundreds, of concubines.

The men of The Royal Family from Karangasem with attendants (possibly slaves)

The palaces were lively places and served as venues to accept visiting leaders and kings. On the grounds were menageries of all types of wild animals and birds including the now extinct Balinese Tiger. I am unsure of how the following arrived into the compound, or how they lived once they were there, but scholars report many “types of humanity” were represented such as “albino dwarfs and foreigners”.

The King and three of his Queens

It was important for the King to be seen as harnessing the power of all of humanity, the beasts as well as the spiritual world. The King needed to look after the well-being of his family and subjects as well as lead them in sacred rituals. 

Anak Agung Gede Djelantik and his younger brothers. He is Maryam's Great Great Great Grandfather.

The photo above is from 1925 and includes Maryam's Great Great Great Grandfather.  Pictured are three of the King's sons. On the left is Anak Agung Ketut Djelantik, in the middle is Anak Agung Gede Djelantik, and Anak Agung Made Djelantik in on the right. Anak Agung Gede Djelantik grew up to become the King and fathered Maryam's Great Great Grandmother who raised Maryam until she was 7 years old.

Anak Agung Made Djelantik Brayawangsa, The Spiritual Leader and the last King of Lombok in 1920

The King of Karagasem was tolerant of other religions and there is a mosque just outside the palace walls of Tama Unjung. When the Kingdom spread to the Muslim island of Lombok there was even more Islamic influence within the Empire.

King Gusti Bagus Djelantik and his wife at The Karangasem Royal Palace in 1919Anak Agung Ketut Djelantik and his assistant in 1865I Gusti Ketut Djelantik with his daughter, The Princess Gusti Ajoe Putu.The photograph above was taken in 1865 by Kinsbergen. It depicts Ketut Djelantik. On his arm is his daughter, The Princess Gusti Ajoe Putu. You can see the King's foot rests firmly on the girl holding the umbrella. This is to signify he is above her and in cotrol of her. In Indonesian culture the feet are considered unclean and one should never point with the foot, step over someone or touch someone with thier foot. Here the King makes a clear statement that this is my daughter, The Princess, elevated on a stool and even with The King and below us are our slaves. This photo was taken in Batavia, which is now called Jakarta, the capitol of Indonesia on Bali's neighboring island of Java.

Anak Agung Made Djelantik and Anak Agung Ketut Djelantik with The Last King of Lombok (center)I am uncertain who is who in this photo but I believe the two figures seated on the ground are Anak Agung Made Djelantik on the left and Anak Agung Ketut Djelantik on the right. The man in the middle is The Last King of Lombok who is pictured, in his somewhat younger days, four photos above with the impressive beard. Unlike the photo directly above, his feet are not placed on those below him as these are family members and respect is shown. Ketut Djelantik, on the bottom right, looks very much like Maryam's brothers.

I Gusti Bagus Djilantik with his son Anak Agung Gede DjelantikI Gusti Bagus Djelantik with his father I Gusti Gede DjelantikPictured above is once again I Gusti Bagus Djelantik. He is with his father I Gusti Gede Djelantik and they are reading sacred manuscripts called Lontar.  They are made of dried palm leaves and pass down knowledge relating to health and healing, astrology, astronomy, homeopathy, religious rules and teaching, sacred rituals, holy formulas, magic, ethics, and the actual and mythical history of the family and of The Indonesian People. They are generally writen in the old Javanese language called Kawi along with ancient Sanskrit written in Devanagri.

I Gusti Bagus Djelantik, The King of Karangasem

We hesitate to put this information on line as we are uncertain of the lineage and who is who, but we want to share what we have learned. If you have any knowledge of this and care to share it with us, please contact us here.

To learn more about this and our journeys in Indonesia as we build our villa retreat, please sign up for our free newsletter and be eligible for our soft opening friend and family discounts. Click here now!

References and thanks to - http://www.purikarangasem.com and Adrian Vickers. Some photos courtesy of KITLV-Leiden, some Creative Commons.