Alas Kedaton temple is
a megalithic sacred Bali Hindu temple relics of ancient times, Alas
Kedaton temple located in the middle of the Alas Kedaton monkey
forest, precisely in the village of Kukuh, Marga district,Tabanan regency. Alas Kedaton temple
or Pura Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton is located approximately 35
kilometers from the city of
Denpasar Bali.
Alas Kedaton temple was built
by Mpu Kuturan or Mpu
Rajakertha during the reign of King Cri Masula Masuli, according to the inscription of Sading village, Mengwi, Badung Regency mentions that King Cri Masula Masulistart reigning in Saka 1100 (1178 AD). The inscription put on the Saka
1172 (1250 AD) which also mentions that King Cri Masula Masuli ruling in Bali island for 77 years, which means the government ended
in Saka 1177 or 1255 AD. The position of Alas
Kedaton temple is facing towards west and has 4 gates
as entrances and exits of the temple, this shrine has a unique yard, the
position of inside yard (in Balinese called Jeroan or Utama Mandala) is
lower than middle yard (in Balinese called Jaba or Madya
Mandala), unlike other temples in Bali which normally
has a inside yard which is higher than the middle yard.
The ceremony of Alas Kedaton temple is in Anggara Kasih Medangsia (Balinese Calendar), 10 days afterKuningan day. Unlike
other temples, other uniqueness that can be encountered in this temple is
during the ceremony may not use incense and Kwangen during worship. Similarly, the use of Penjor, when the ceremony performed at Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton temple we will not found Penjor like other temple ceremonies in Bali and this
is also something that is unique. The ceremony should be finished before sunset
because they are not allowed to use lights as a means of confinement using
fire, when the ceremony is completed, will be followed byNgerebeg tradition. Ngerebeg means run with spears, Tedung (traditional Balinese Umbrella), and some leafy
tree branches. Everyone cheered and shouted with joy to follow this ngerebeg tradition.
Alas
Kedaton temple located in a
forest inhabited by thousands of monkeys and hundreds of big bats. Monkeys in
the Kedaton forest are very friendly and very close to the
visitors as they always feed them with nuts and other snacks, but caution
should still be taken care of even though they are very friendly but sometimes
they can also attack when they feel disturbed. Alas Kedaton Holy Monkey forest is one of the famous monkey
forest in Bali island.