Semarapura
Klungkung Regency is the smallest, compared to the other regencies in Bali. The Area of lungkung regency is around 315 km2 with a population of 170,612 which is spread throughout its four districts. Although the area itsself is small, the Nusa islands, which consists of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan are included in the regency. Sharing its borders with Gianyar, Bangli and Karangasem, a large part of the population of Klungkung earns their living through greculture. Before the eruption of the Gunung Agung, The village of Gunaksa had become a producer of the best Balinese rice grains, alongside Tabanan. If we look at the size of its area, it is difficult to believe that Klungkung was the centre of government in Bali in the past. When Bali was at its golden age under the reign of Dalem Batur Renggong around the 15th century, it was governed from Gelgel, Klungkung. Only after the revolt caused by Patih Gusti Agung Maruti, the center of government was transferred to Klungkung during the reign of Dalem Dimade. At the first stages of the Dutch colonization of Bali, Klungkung was ruled by Tjokorda istri Kania, a woman raised to the throne because the true heir to the throne was still a child. Duringher regin, decisions regarding opposition towards the dutch were made through the agreement of the Paswara astha negara in Klungkung. Due to a destiny, which could not be avoided, following the battle at the Jagaraga, Buleleng and also the Puputan Badung, erupted the battle of the Puputan Klungkung in 1908, and the colonization of Bali by Netherlands was completed. At the same time, the chain whish was holding together the powers of the kings of Bali was cut. Ida dewa Agung Geg, one of the descendants who survived the Puputan, was placed as Dalem Klungkung, although he was not given any political power. Due to its central position in the governments of the past, various genres of art and handicraft developed in Klungkung, inseparable from the cultural and religious life of the people. The village of tihingan is very famous for the industry of making the gamelan, the village of Budaga is known for ceremonial tools made from bronze and gold, the village of Satria is known for its production of tedung handicrafts and costumes for the temple. In addition to this, the village of Kemasan is known with its classical paintings in the wayang style, based on themes from religious literature. This village of Kemasan, which is 4 kilometers to the south of the city of Klungkung, is also known for the production of the Bokor and other silver equipments, which are used during the peocess of erforming a ceremony. INTERESTING PLACES: Gelgel The former capital of Gelgel Kingdom since AD 1515 until 1710 before it moved to more strategic in Klungkung. Pura Dasar, the royal state temple with a few ruined gateways, is the only evident site of the noblest of all the Balinese kingdoms. Gelgel now days is known for its pottery and beautiful handwoven ceremonial cloth of 'songket'. Kamasan Formerly a village of artisan who produced the crowns, body ornaments, and jewelry for the royal family, Kamasan later became known as a center for 'wayang'- puppet style painting. The form of Kamasan style painting considered the oldest painting form that was executed in 14 centuries The village itself lies four kilometers south of Semarapura town and inhibited by at least 140 painters. Kusamba It was an important and busiest port one time in the mid 1800s for agriculture products and slaves trading. A specialist clan of blacksmiths skilled at weapons-making were centralized here once. Kusamba was also the site of a fight between the Dutch and The Virgin Queen Istri Kanya in 1849. Nowdays, Kusamba is a relatively big fishermen village in the east of Klungkung and also known as sea-salt panning place. Tihingan A village located two kilometers east of Semarapura, the capital regency of Klungkung, known as the center of 'gong kebyar' making, the complete Balinese music instruments. There are a significant number of gong makers in this village, employing 100 people. Village communities in Bali are still the common buyers of the whole complete instruments and only few of them sold abroad. However, buying one single instrument by tourists are common. Seeing and observing the making process of the instruments will be interesting. toya pakeh. Goa Lawah The bat cave temple is believed to be founded in 1007 by the holy man Empu Kuturan. It plays an important role for religious rites associated with cremation. Thousand of long-nosed bats hanging on the ceiling of the holy cave that begins at the foot of a rocky cliff and is said to extend all the way to the base of Gunung Agung. The holy python is often seen sitting on one of the temple shrine. Traditional salt making process can be seen on the beach across of the temple. Kertha Gosa Based on the carving found on the main door of the complex, the two pavilions in Kertagosa were built in 1622 according to Gregorian calendar. It was originally use as meeting place of the Balinese kings until it changed the function into traditional religious court in 1908 due to Dutch occupation. Kamasan style painting on the ceiling of the pavilion always amazed visitors especially who interested in the philosophy of universal truth as it is described by the painting.Posted in Bali by Joy Sastra Wijaya on 06/20/2008 | 0 Comments
