Pura Ulun Danu

This temple is dedicated to the Goddess of the Lake, Devi Danu, and her consort Vishnu, who rules over water. This is one of the two main subak temples in Bali which determine how water reaches the irrigation ditches all over southern Bali. These waters, enriched with volcanic minerals from the Batur highlands, lead from one terrace to another in descending steps to the sea.

The Sacred Monkey Forest , Ubud, Bali .

Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal during the mid-14th century. It is possible that this temple was built by the Pejeng Dynasty (the Pejeng Dynasty was centred on Bali in the vicinity of Ubud and was conquered by the Majapahit empire in A.D. 1343).

Gunung Kawi

After Goa Gajah, this Vishnu Temple is said to be the second oldest temple in Bali built around 11^th century. Much of the place still intact except the entrance part which in ruins due to earth quake. The rock cut and chiselled shrines are of rock mountain. There are so many alters but all the statues are gone, either kept in secret by villagers and some in Bali museum. Legend says that temple is built for king Udayana, his Javanese queen Guna Pria Dharma Patni, his concubine, his oldest son Airlangga who ruled East Java , and his youngest son Anak Wungsu. Anak Wungsu ruled on Bali from 1050 to 1077. The four temples on the west side of the river should then have been built for the chief concubines of Anak Wungsu.

Village of Yeh Pulu

The picture on the left has small pond which in ancient times used by the Kings wives and princess as playground. Picture on the right - The relief carving in Yeh Pulu depicts the daily life of island people its fully chiselled on rock wall for about 25 meters and some parts depicts Krishna’s manifestations. Dating 14^th Century.

The Goa Gajah or the Elephant Caves

The Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant caves, which dates back to at least the 11^th century, was excavated in 1922. Not far from the central Bali town of Ubud is Goa Gajah, popularly known as the Elephant Cave. The cave is a former hermitage for the eleventh century Hindu priests.

A huge face at the entrance of the cave for ascetics. All around are fantastically carved leaves, animals, waves and humans running from mouth in fear. Inside is a 43 ft long passage, which stops at a T-junction, 49 ft wide. The inner sanctum contains several niches, which could have served as sleeping compartments for ascetics. At the one end of the passage is a statue of Ganesha.

Bali Yatra or A Journey to Bali

It is popularly known as Cuttack Bali Jatra. This festival is held in Orissa ,in the city of Cuttack at "Gadagadia ghata" of the Mahanadi river, to mark the day when ancient Sadhabas ( kalinga mariners) would set sail to distant lands of Bali, as well as Java , Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia), and Sri Lanka for trade and cultural expansion. They sailed in large vessels called Boitas. The festival marks its beginning at the end of the Kartik Purnima in October and November, and goes on for a period of seven days right from the full moon. This is the specific time that was considered auspicious by the Sadhabas to begin their voyage in vessels called Boitas.The scientific cause of starting voyage on "kartika purnima" is to take profit of the wind blown this time. "Ajhala" or big fabrics were used to carry "boita" or vessels by wind.

In Cuttack, Bali Jatra is celebrated annually as a large, open, fair near the Barabati Fort area. It is said to be the largest fair of Orissa state. There are several attractions for children, and food stalls selling Oriya delicacies (cuttacki Dahivada aludum, Thunka puri, Barafa pan, Gupchup etc.), and other vendors selling toys, curiosities, and other gifts. Every year attracts people in millions. People from all over the nation come to experience it. In Bali Yatra, Children float toy boats made of colored paper, dried banana tree barks, and cork in the Mahanadi River, ponds, and water tanks, to commemorate the voyage of their ancestors to Indonesia. These toy boats, that are usually launched after sunset with small oil lamps, lit and placed inside them, provide a very attractive sight during the festival. People sing a song "Aa ka ma bai, pan gua khai..."to remember the early maritime history of Orissa. The song tells about four months that are important for marine merchants of Kalinga .

This festival is also celebrated with great fanfare in Paradweep. Bali Jatra bears testimony to the rich maritime legacy of ancient Orissa. It is also known as Boita Bandana Utsab, or the "festival of boats".

Candi (temple) Arjuna

This temple forms part of the largest remaining architectural complex on the Dieng Plateau. The interior houses a Siva lingga and yoni. The shrine is equipped with a makara-headed spout which was meant to channel the fluids used to lustrate the linga from inside the shrine to the outside. In this way, commoners who were not allowed into the shrine's interior could still benefit from the ceremonies held inside by collecting the water which flowed from this conduit, believed to be full of supernatural fertility and other qualities. This feature is common in Indian temples but in Indonesia only Candi Arjuna possesses such a sutasoma. This suggests that Candi Arjuna may be the oldest surviving building in Java, and perhaps even in all of Southeast Asia. The structure is relatively complete except for the pinnacle which has vanished.

Candi (temple) Badut

Siva linga in Candi Badut, the oldest known temple in east Java.

Dating from the late eighth century, Badut was constucted at the time when the Sailendra kings ruled in central Java. The Dinoyo inscription, which is written in Sanskrit, records the construction of a temple dedicated to Agastya by the son of a king named Devasingha ruling a kingdom called Kanjuru-han.

Chandi Sukuh Temple in Java

Chandi Sukuh Hindu Temple dedicated to Bhima of Mahabharata in Indonesia strikes a disquieting alien chord with its flat topped step pyramid and its Mayan calendar carvings.
In general layout, the temple conforms to the plan of most other Hindu temples. There are three precincts, consisting of three concentric terraces. However, where most temples would have a large square shrine, Chandi Sukuh has a pyramid reminiscent of Mayan structures from Central America .
The religious structures in Java are commonly called Chandis, a term which originally meant a commemorative building.

IMMORTAL TIES WITH JAVADWIPA

Sir Stamford Raffles (1781-1826) the British Governor of Java, in his book, History of Java, II, p. 87, wrote:

“In the year 525 Saka era – 603 A.D., it being foretold to a king of Gujarat that his country would decay and go to ruin, he resolved to send his son to Java. He embarked with about 5000 followers in 6 large and about 100 small vessels, and after a voyage of four months reached an island they supposed to be Java; but finding themselves mistaken, re-embarked, and finally settled at Matarem, in the center of the island they were seeking….The prince then found that men alone were wanting to make a great and flourishing state. He accordingly applied to Gujarat for assistance, when his father, delighted at his success, sent him reinforcement of 2000 people…From this period Java was known and celebrated as a kingdom; an extensive commerce was carried on with Gujarat and other countries, and the bay of Matarem was filled with adventurers from all parts.”

THUS SPAKE PRESIDENT SUKARNO

Dr.Sukarno (1901- 1970) Indonesian nationalist leader and the first President of Indonesia. He helped the country win its independence from the Netherlands. In a special article in The Hindu on 4 January 1946, Sukarno wrote about the immortal ties between India and Indonesia:-

"In the veins of every one of my people flows the blood of Indian ancestors and the culture that we possess is steeped through and through with Indian influences. Two thousand years ago people from your country came to Jawadvipa and Suvarnadvipa in the spirit of brotherly love.

They gave the initiative to found powerful kingdoms such as those of Sri Vijaya, Mataram and Majapahit. We then learnt to worship the very Gods that you now worship still and we fashioned a culture that even today is largely identical with your own. Later, we turned to Islam: but that religion too was brought by people coming from both sides of India."

Is Suvarnabhumi safe today?

As I see the map of Indonesia and population of each island, the fact which astonishes me is the growing Muslim population in Java, Sumatra etc...Except Bali and Borneo, all other islands show a declining Hindu population. Is it a warning for the future? Again Suvarnabhumi is going to be conquered by the Muslims? May be...When I compare the Muslims of India and Indonesia, it seems the Muslims of Indonesia dominate other communities, which in Bharat they can't..Moreover, the Muslims in Indonesia always target the Hindu girls, and convert them.. They are more wealthy and educated than Bharatiya Muslims, and have contacts in Arabia..These facts make me feel sad. All these things are signs of another Apocalypto...BEWARE! THE HINDUS OF SUVARNABHUMI...