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Arjuna, Arjun or Arjunaa is one of the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' (cf. Latin argentum), was such a peerless archer that he is often referred to as Jishnu - the undefeatable. The third of the five Pandava brothers, Arjuna was one of the children borne by Kunti, the first wife of Pandu. Arjuna is considered to be an incarnation of Nara, the younger brother of Narayana. He is sometimes referred to as the 'fourth Krishna' of the Mahabharata. One of his most important roles was as the dear friend and brother-in-law of Lord Krishna, from whom he heard the Bhagavad Gita.This statue of Arjuna is located in Ubud district, at an intersection just outside Ubud.

Ubud

Ubud Neka MuseumUbud

Ubud

Bali is known as an island of thousands temples. In every village in Bali, there are several temples. All temples derive their direction from the mountains and the sea. The direction toward the mountains, Kaja, is the most significant direction. The direction toward the sea is Kelod.

Pura Desa Ubud

The main "town temple" in the centre

There are three fundamental types of temple in every village. Pura Puseh (temple of origin) remains the most important and is reserved for founders of villages. It is always situated at the kaja end of the village.

In the middle of the village is the Pura Desa, which is for the spirits that protect and bless the villagers in their daily lives.

At the kelod end of the village is the Pura Dalem (temple of the dead) as well as the graveyard. The Pura Dalem would have representations of Durga, the dark and terrible side of Shiva's wife, Parvati. Both Shiva and Parvati have a creative and destructive side, and it is their powers of destruction that are honored in the Pura Dalem.

Ubud Typical steet statuary

Ubud

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati

Ubud

Pura Taman Saraswati. Part of the Puri Saraswati complex, devoted to Dewi Saraswati the goddess of learning, literature and the arts

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati God’s Manifestation as Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature. On her day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Wedas are blessed and special offerings are made for them.

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati

Ubud is noted as one of the more traditional towns in terms of maintaining the tenets and manifold observances of Agama Hindu Bali. Everywhere you look, every single day, you will see ceremony, ritual and sacred offerings. All of this is carried out in Ubud with a level of devout attention and meticulous care that is rarely exceeded elsewhere. This applies equally to the young generation as it does to their parents and grandparents.

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati

Ubud Pura Taman Saraswati

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Ubud is a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island's preeminent centre for fine arts, dance and music.

Buddha Ubud

Ubud Monkey Forest is a small rain forest dwelt by some group of monkeys and other tropical animals. It is strategically located in the hearth of Ubud Village.The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex who houses approximately 340 Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

These monkeys are believed as Gods Guard of Dalem Agung Temple, the Hindu Temple exist in the middle of forest.

Dalem Agung Temple, the Hindu Temple exist in the middle of forest.

The Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation manages the Monkey Forest and serves to maintain its sacred integrity and to promote the sacred site as a destination for visitors.

Dalem Agung Temple,

Pura Dalem AgungCeremony

Balinese stone carving

sometimes the monkeys come into the garden of the hotel and even onto the roof of your bungalow or in your balcony!

Within Balinese Hinduism, monkeys can be the embodiment of both positive and negative forces. The dual nature of monkeys is especially reflected in the Ramayana. Within the Ramayana, Sita (the beloved bride of Rama) is abducted by Rawana (an evil king). Rama (an incarnation of Dewa Wisnu) calls upon Sugriwa (king of the monkeys) and Hanuman (Sugriwa's General) to help him retrieve Sita. However, within the Ramayana, there are also antagonist monkeys like Subali that attempt to assist Rawana. In the end, Hanuman, along with his monkey army, defeats Rawana's evil forces and helps Rama to retrieve Sita.

Because monkeys can embody both positive and negative forces, the Balinese both loathe and revere monkeys. Monkeys that occupy sacred Balinese Hindu temple sites (like the Sacred Monkey Forest) tend to be revered and protected by the Balinese. One reason for this is that monkeys, in the form of a Barong, are believed to be capable of guarding temple sites against evil spirits. However, the Balinese belief that monkeys can be negative in nature is reinforced when, for example, they raid rice fields or snatch items from souvenir shops.

Text : Internet

Pictures: Nicoleta Leu & Internet

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu

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