Indonesia As I "See": Pura Agung Giri Natha , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Pura Agung Giri Natha , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Pura Agung Giri Natha is the largest Hindu Temple in the city of Semarang ,located at Jalan Cleft No. 12 Village Dam Mungkur Gajah, Semarang ,Central Java, Indonesia.This Temple is situated on the Cleft Mount. Amidst hilly surroundings it’s a beautiful sight.This magnificent Temple is spread over approximately 2000 m2 area.

Pura Agung Giri Natha Temple is the main center for Ritual and Spiritual activities to all Hindu devotees living in Semarang area. People of Indonesia specially Hindus believe in "Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa "(the "All-In-One God") . Religious rituals are generally aim to get Peace, Prosperity, Wealth, Seeking blessings and Moksh from " Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa" (God Almighty).

Construction of Pura Agung Giri Natha Temple started during 1971 which completed in different stages by Hindu Association of Central Java , Indonesia and was inaugurated by the Governor of Central Java H. Mardiyanto on 4th April 2004.

Ganeshaगणेश statue

Balinese Hindu Temple or Pura are designed as an open air place of worship within enclosed walls, connected with a series of intricately decorated gates between its compounds. This walled compound contains several Shrines, Meru (Towers), and Bale (Pavilions). The design, plan and layout of the Pura follows the Tri Mandala concept of Balinese space allocation. The Three Mandala zones are -

Nista Mandala (jaba pisan) - the Outer zone,

Madya Mandala (jaba tengah) -the Middle zone

Utama Mandala (jero) - the Holiest and the most Sacred zone

The entrance Outer zone of the temple faces magnificent Door in Balinese Architecture prior entering to the Middle zone. This area is used for Social, Spiritual, Educational, Art and various Ceremonies.

Outer area is marked with beautiful Ganeshaगणेश statue. Stature is covered with Yellow Cloth as per Balinese style of worshiping.

Moreover, there is a Health and Reflexology Center run by an experience Physician as a social service to the community.

Now we enter in the Madya Manadalaमध्य मण्डल .This is a spiritual area used for Religious and Social activities. In this area you are welcomed by a Temple Pravesh Dwarप्रवेश द्धार (Entering Gate of the Temple) beautifully designed in Balinese Architecture .This intricate carved Red and Golden color door adorns statues of Dwarapalaद्धारपाल at the both sides of the entrance gate of the Temple as the Spiritual Guardians of the Madya Mandalaमध्य मण्डल.

Beautiful Red - Gold color door in Balinese Architecture displaying relief Ornate carving

Dwarapalaद्धारपाल as the Spiritual Guardians of the Madya Mandalaमध्य मण्डल

Back side of the Main entrance Dwarद्धार (Door)

Now we enters in the most sacred place which is protected and restricted by a wall fencing and Dwarpalasद्धारपाल who serves as Spiritual Guardians. Before the entrance there is a Kori Agung Gaint Head relief which is called Bhoma. It is also marked with other Deities , Wooden Bells and Kala Makra . This creepy and grin looking Giant face just before the entrance Gate has Spiritual and Philosophical belief that it guards the Sanctity of the Main Area from the Negative Elements.

Stone showing inauguration date 4th April 2004 on the Day Purnimaपूर्णिमा (Full Moon)

This area is the most sacred area for Prayer and Ceremony Yadnya (Yajna) यज्ञ . Yadnya (Yagna) यज्ञ Rituals are performed to commemorate religious Holy Days such as -

Saraswati देवी सरस्वती Day - in respect of Dewi Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature. Rreading or writing is NOT allowed on this day, books are taken to the Goddess to seek blessings.

Pagerwesi - celebrates Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru. Pagerwesi is the concluding day for the ‘Wealth’ series of celebrations that signifies Spiritual ‘Reinforcement’. Its name suggests ‘Iron Fence’ in English when combining the words Pager and Wesi . It is considered that anything of high importance like soul and spirituality should be protected from destructive / negative influences.

Galungan - as an Anniversary of the victory of Dharmaधर्म (Truth) over Adharmaअधर्म (Evil).

Kuningan - Day roughly takes place 10 days after the Galungan celebrations. Offerings and prayers are conducted at Temples and Shrines before noon . Barong Dance is performed in front of the houses or around their village. The dance in earlier days symbolizes an effort to purify the village area, specially when a disaster took place. Now a days it is an entertainment and continuation of Art and Tradition.

Siwaratri or Shivaratri शिवरात्री is the night of the God Shiva. A time for holy contemplation and purification, the Balinese do not sleep for one night.

Nyepi Day - Nyepi Day in Bali is a New Year’s celebration unlike anywhere else on the Planet. Also known as Bali’s celebration of the "Saka New Year" and the Bali Day of "Silence and Seclusion" . It is ultimately the quietest day of the Year. On this day there is no transport on the roads , fire is not lit, no work is done and no one is seen on the roads. Silence is important so that the Spirits, which are suppose to arouse a night before, will think that Bali is empty and will, therefore, leave the Island.

Tumpek Landep - is a holy day that is dedicated to the blessings of Metal Items, from Heirloom Kris Daggers to various other metal objects such as modern Machinery, Automobiles, Tools and such all things towards their better use in daily life. On this day one can see many Cars and Motorcycles roaming on the streets of Bali decorated with intricate Stitched-leaf ornaments called 'Sampian'. Same Day is celebrated in India as Vishvkarma Divas विश्वकर्मा दिवस.

Purnama - पूर्णिमा or Full Moon in Bali is a special day for Ceremonies and Festivities. Hundreds of Temples all over the Island celebrate this special day hosting splendid ceremonies. Balinese believe that Purnama is a Most Auspicious day when Gods descend to the earth and give their blessing. On this sacred day, hundreds of ceremonies are held in all the corners of the island to satisfy and honor the gods with offerings such as food, fruit and flowers. The Balinese themselves feel blessed by performing various rituals using Holy Water, Incense smoke, Flower petals and Rice grains.

Tilem - Dead Moon (Amavasya) अमावस्या ..Warning .

All these Holy Days are marked with Ceremonies, Praying together and delivering religious messages (Dharma Discourse).

In order to maintain the sanctity of the temple there are some rules and restrictions followed by the Devotees who come to visit Temple.

Furthermore, all devotees entering to the Main Mandala have to tie a (Selempot) Cloth Band to the abdomen. It is considered that the stomach as a symbol of worldly desires must be controlled and only concentrate on Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.

Now we enter the main sacred area . Anyone who visits this area must purify themselves by performing a ritual of washing hands, feet and face. The Pots are placed before the most sacred area " Tirtaतीर्थ (Air Suci) Holy Water . The Holy Water is from Pura Tirta ( A temple dedicated to God Indra) .

Areas of Main Mandala has several buildings that have specific function.

Front view of Padamasanaपदमासन Symbolic of Samundra Manthan समुद्र मन्थन represents the Throne of the Highest God Acintya (Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa)

Balinese Hindu Temple usually contains a Padmasana, the towering Lotus Throne of the highest God Acintya (Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa), Pelinggih Meru, the multiple roofed Tower. Padmasana is the central building in the Temple Complex. This main tall black Lotus Shaped building is without roof and depicts Lotus Flower at the bottom , a huge Turtle at the base ridden by two Dragons (King Serpent) , a peak-shaped Throne (Asana), sacred letters berlukiskan Om Karaओंकार , and at the back there are reliefs of Garudaगरुड़ , Vahanवाहन of Lord Vishnuप्रभु विष्णु and Geese (Hans)हंस . This Padmasanaपदमासन is to worship Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.

Lotus Flower as base of Padamasanaपदमासन

Padmaपदम means Lotus Flower or Lotus and Asanaआसन means a seat or Throne. Padmasana represents as a lotus flower Throne of the" Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa". Lotus is the symbol of purity.

Tortoise at the bottom of the Padmasanaपदमासन

Base of the Padmasana is in Tortoise shape or Bedawangnala whose mouths spits fire. It is symbolic of the world where heat and energy is stored. In Hindu mythology, the Tortoise symbolizes the Base or Support of the World and is an Avatar of Vishnuविष्णु as "Kurmaकुर्मा " during Samundra Manathan समुंद्र मन्थन.

Dragan (King Serpent) Vasukiवासुकी

In Padmasanaपदमासन there are two forms of the Dragon (Lord Serpent), Dragon Anantaboga and Basuki. (Vasuki)वासुकी. Both these dragon ( Lord Serpent ) wrapped around the Padmasana symbolic of Nirvana.

Padmasanaपदमासन here is symbolic of Samodra Montana (Samudra Manthan समुंद्र - मन्थन) as described in The Adiparwa Mahabharataआदिपर्व महाभारत .This Epic tells about Samudra Manthan between the Gods and Demons and the seizure of Holy Waterअमृत (Tirta Amrita) won by Gods during this Manthan समुंद्र - मन्थन .

The Manthanमन्थन (churning) of the Ocean was an elaborate process. Mount Mandara मंदार was used as the churning rod, and Vasukiवासुकी , the King of Serpents, who abides on Shiva's neck, became the churning rope. The Demons demanded to hold the head of the snake, while the Gods taking advice from Vishnu , agreed to hold its tail. As a result the demons were poisoned by fumes emitted by Vasuki. Despite this, the gods and demons pulled back and forth on the snake's body alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. However, once the mountain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. Vishnuविष्णु , in the form of a turtle Kurmaकुर्मा , came to their rescue and supported the mountain on his back.

Deities at Front side

Deities at Back side
In the middle part there are Deities called Astadikpatalaअस्तादिक पटल (Guardian Deity of Wind)

Lord Iswaraishwarईश्वर facing East, God Brahmaब्रह्मा facing South, Mahadevaमहादेव facing West and God Vishnuविष्णु facing North . Each God is shown carrying Weapons in accordance with its Attributes.

Top part is like a Throne of Trinity (त्रि -शक्ति)

The upper top part is like a Empty Chair - Throne of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa at the peak of the Padmasanaपदमासन.

Winged Garudaगरुड़ ,Vahanवाहन of Lord Vishnuविष्णु and Hansaहँस

Back part of the Padmasanaपदमासन has Winged Garuda , Vahan of Lord Vishnu as a symbol of Mokshमोक्ष, Liberation from attachment to the World. Depiction of Goose (Hansaहंस) on this Padmasanaपदमासन is symbolic of Wisdom. Hansaहंस is able to separate Milk and Water, Symbolizes Intelligence and Discrimination. Om Karaओंकार is a Seed that is a symbol of the sacred letters Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.