In Bali, becoming blacksmiths is not a matter of skill. Although you can learn how to make a steel implement, you cannot be called a blacksmith. The only way to become a blacksmiths is to be born in a Pande family.

The smiths in Bali are called, generally, pande, the most influential among them being blacksmiths: pande wesi, or pande besi. The historical importance of their craft, particularly in the shaping of the magically charged and (unfortunately) very practical kris daggers, gave this group of low caste artisans a status that seemed to fall outside the usual dictates of caste. The Pande is a small, but very tightly knit clan group in Bali. Although the Pande clan did not exist, even in the earliest days the pande has considerable political power, including the right to seat representatives on the governing bodies of the desa (village). To maintain their position of prestige, the smiths kept their techniques secret and saw it in that marriage would take place only within their own professional group. And today, this clan is still fiercely proud, the most conservative in its ranks refusing the religious authority of the Brahmana priest – some, claiming ancestry preceding Hinduism, even creating a sort of hybrid religion of their own.
The Pande clan inscribed its own history in a lontar, a formal religious document, called the Prasasti Sira Pande Empu. Many clan groups wrote lontars, during this time to codify, and amplify, their right to status greater than that of mere Sudra. These lontars, which are still read today, offers history that are vivid, exaggerated, and full of hubris. The Pande’s is no exception.

The Prasasti Sira Pande Empu outlines a mythology that seems to predate Hinduism. It describes that the creation of Brahma, but Brahma here appears less like that of Hindu triad, and more like the Vedic god of fire, Agni. Emphasizing fire, of course, make sense for the Pande, who have always considered fire as their special instrument, from which much of their power was derived. And yet the Pande adopted the color red, which is always associated with the Trimurti god of Brahma. The Pande temple at Pura Besakih is decorated red. Pande men often wear red articles of clothing, such as udeng (head band), and saput (waist cloth), when participating ceremonies.

In the lontar, Empu Pradah is proclaimed the first head of Pande clan. The document also includes a declaration of independence of sorts. It clearly states that the Brahmanas obtained their knowledge and power from the Pande, and establishes the Pande as older that the Brahmanas and of greater power and prestige. It also stipulates that Pandes are not permitted to obtain holy water from pedandas because, in affect, the Brahmana priests are the younger brother of the Pandes, and for that reason should be subservient to them. The lontar also includes various warnings to other caste-less people that they should not follow the teachings of Brahmanas and Ksatriyas, but rather emulate the Pandes.

Some of the Pande can follow the regular ritual of Balinese Hinduism as dictated in general Balinese scripture, obtaining their holy water from pedandas, praying at regular temples, and observing the routines that are followed by about everyone else in Bali. But the conservative Pande do not obtain the holy water from pedandas, maintaining that they are senior to the Brahmanas, not vice versa. Moreover, some of them a very pronounced anti pedanda bias. This has caused some problems. The most conservative Pande areas have their own temples and their own pemangkus – lay Pande priest – who officiate at special Pande ceremonies and who make their own holy water for use only by Pande people.

If the government and private company officials has Kerta Kawat temple a place for requesting advancement in career, then the traders and businessmen has Melanting temple for requesting prosperity and good luck.

As a matter of fact there are hundreds of Melanting temples that create a network all over the island of Bali. Each traditional market in Bali has its own Melanting temple (temple of trader) from which the traders and businessmen ask for fortune. The core of this Melanting temple network is main Melanting temple that is located in Banyupoh village, Buleleng regency, around 5 km from Pemuteran.

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Taman Ayun temple was the royal temple of Mengwi Kingdom that survived until 1891 when it was conquered by the neighboring kingdoms of Tabanan and Badung. The name Taman Ayun means beautiful garden. This temple was built by the King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Anom in 1634. The date of construction is expressed on a carved door with chronogram reads ‘Sad Bhuta Yaksa Dewa‘ means 1634 AD. The temple has been renovated in 1949 and in 1972 all black fiber roofs were renewed, the last in 1976 was built the pavilion tower called ‘Bale Kulkul‘.

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This temple is situated on the outskirt of Bangli’s capital town. A yellow sign on the side of the road will give you the direction to the temple. Pura Dalem Jawa is surrounded by a pond filled with water lilies and colorful fish. Seeing from outside the temple, this temple is just like any other temple in Bali but if we step our feet on the inner courtyard of the temple, we can find a unique structure which differentiate this temple from the rest of the temples in Bali. This structure is a shrine in form of a langgar (a small version of mosque). This structure is not function as a mosque but as matter of fact a Hindu shrine in form of Muslim praying place.

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Tirta Luhur Chapel is an excellent wedding venue that is situated on a top of a spectacular cliff overlooking the vast Indian Ocean. The stunning beauty of the surrounding can be enjoyed through the glass paneled wall of this chapel, instilling the beauty of nature into your wedding moments.

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If you happen to be in Bali today, you will have a chance to see cars, motorcycles and bicycles all over the island are adorned with beautiful coconut-leaf decorations. Today, Balinese celebrate Tumpek Landep holiday; a holiday in which Balinese hold a ceremony as a homage to god Pasupati, the lord of steel implements and to express their gratitude to all steel implements which help Balinese in their everyday live.

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Saturday (6/14/08) Bali Art Festival, a month-long festival participated by all regencies in the province of Bali and from other provinces in Indonesia and several foreign participants, like USA, Korea, Japan, Australia, will be opened with a grand opening ceremony that involve 3000 artist from all over the paradise island of Bali. This opening ceremony will be held in front of the Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat Bali (Bali People Struggle Monument, at Renon Square Denpasar. The main attractions of this opening ceremony is the parade various art performances and cultural treasures from each participants of Bali Art Festival that usually involve thousands of artists.

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The Bluemoon Chapel is surrounded by beautiful gardens which fill the air with the aroma of the tropics. It is the perfect place to have a celebration of a new beginnings. Separate banquet room also available for wedding reception.

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The sacredness of Rangda mask is not a matter of appearance, for this face, regarded as visual motif, is commonly used in many secular applications in Bali. Indeed, the mask-makers feel no reservation about making perfect copies of the sacred Rangda masks to sell to tourists or other. What gives the mask its power is the consecration it receives from the maker, the sacred letters inscribed within it, the holy wood it is made from, and the power of taksu and pasupati it receives in the temple or graveyard. A holy mask literally manifests the divinity, and whenever one is introduced into a performance, the unpredictable can always happen.

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The Nirwana Resort and Spa is located in Candidasa and about 60 km from Bali’s capital city, Denpasar. Its prime ocean front position gives a stunning view of the Indian Ocean. While enjoying a few sessions in the swimming pool or tasting our chefs special at the very own “Nirwana Sunset Restaurant”, guests can enjoy romantic view of the sunset sinking into the Indian Ocean in the South. This memorable moment certainly will be too good to miss out.

The Nirwana, Resort, Spa and Restaurant
Situated in East Bali, a quieter part of the island, the newly renovated The Nirwana Resort and Spa is beyond doubt the place for anyone seeking tranquility and natural beauty

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